Under the baton of the Hallé’s new Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Kahchun Wong, the concert opens with a European premiere; Cambodian-American composer Chinary Ung’s Grand Spiral (Desert Flowers Bloom). Ung’s music is internationally acclaimed for its skilful blend of eastern tradition with western instrumentation.
Debussy’s La mer has been captivating audiences for decades with its evocative musical seascape, inspired by his memories of the sea and his experiences with art. The work was deeply influenced by Hokusai and his iconic artwork Under the Wave off Kanagawa, also known as the Great Wave.
Closing the concert, the orchestra will be joined by traditional Chinese Folk Instruments, featuring in the UK premier of Kahchun Wong’s orchestration of Mussorgsky’s masterful Pictures At An Exhibition.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of classical music inspired by Eastern tradition, sound and vision.
Chinary Ung Grand Spiral (Desert Flowers Bloom) (European Premiere)
Debussy La Mer
Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition (arr. Wong) (UK Premiere)
Kahchun Wong conductor
Featuring musicians from the Singapore Chinese Orchestra:
Boo Chong Wei, Benjamin percussion
Lee Jun Cheng dizi
Ma Huan yangqin
Tan Manman erhu
Wang Siyuan pipa
Suitable for ages 5+
Presented by the Hallé in partnership with Factory International for Manchester International Festival 2025
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