TSO China tour program announced …

… WITH BLESSING BY MASTER WANG AND FREE COMMUNITY CONCERT

The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra has officially announced the program for its two-week tour of China at the end of the month, including a New Year’s Eve concert in Nanjing and finale in Shanghai. Buddhist master Xin-De Wang will also offer the orchestra a special blessing.

Conducted by Chief Conductor Marko Letonja, the TSO will give nine concerts in seven cities over a two-week period, with a number being the first time an international orchestra has performed in the region.

As a result of the long-standing relationship between Tasmania and Fujian, and more recently between the cities of Hobart and Fuzhou, the TSO is performing three concerts in Fujian, including in the city of Fuzhou, that are being supported by Tasmanian Government and the City of Hobart.

To celebrate, the TSO will give a special free concert in advance of its China Tour to all stakeholders, including family, friends and the broader Tasmanian community tonight at 6pm in Federation Concert Hall, Hobart.

Four separate concert programs will be performed encompassing music by Prokofiev, Stravinsky and Australian composers Elena Kats-Chernin, Julian Yu and Graeme Koehne.

Stuart Thomson, TSO Principal Double Bass, will appear as soloist in Tan Dun’s Contrabass Concerto: Wolf Totem, a work co-commissioned by the TSO and given its Australian première by Mr Thomson and the TSO in Hobart last year.

TSO Managing Director, Nicholas Heyward said the company has been extremely busy for the past six months coordinating all aspects of the tour working in close consultation with Barry Plews and Hu He of Hobart/Shanghai based Reckless Moments, who are producing the tour.

“The complexities of moving a full symphony orchestra for a lengthy stay across many provinces with multiple concert programs within China are enormous,” said Mr Heyward said.

“Fortunately, Barry and Hu He are experts in working in China, and the resulting tour will be incredible with a number of concerts already sold out.

“The TSO is grateful to the Tasmanian Government for providing the initial grant to help make the tour possible along with support by the Hobart City Council.

“The TSO also thanks the Australian Government for its support for the tour through the Australia-China Council of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

“The TSO last toured internationally to Japan in 2005 so there is great anticipation in the air.”

Speaking on the economic importance of the tour, Executive Chairman of the Australian Fujian Association, Tasmanian Branch, Jason Xu said the tour not only offers musicians new artistic challenges and exchange but also significant cultural, political and business opportunities for stakeholders.
TSO Managing Director, Nicholas Heyward