The Chopin Society of Hong Kong

The Chopin Society of Hong Kong, first registered under the Societies Ordinance and now incorporated as a non- profit making company, is a well-established institution in Hong Kong dedicated to the promotion of classical musical activities, including the organisation of public recitals and concerts, master classes and a major international piano competition which has helped to augment further the reputation of Hong Kong as a major cultural centre in Asia.

The Society believes that classical music is neither an elitist nor a minority interest in Hong Kong. The success of the Society's activities is based precisely on the notion that Hong Kong audiences deserve nothing but the highest quality that the international music scene can offer. In return, the audiences reward these activities with their loyalty and growing size of attendances. The combination of world-class artists centering their activities in Hong Kong and working closely with the wonderful pool of talent available in the territory, achieves the twin aims of fostering the musical arts at home while drawing on the best that the world can offer.

The Honorary President of the Society is Mr Vladimir Ashkenazy while its patrons include, in alphabetical order, Christos Bokoros, Barbara Bonney, Gary Graffman, Evgeny Kissin, Murray Perahia, Mikhail Pletnev, Christiane Sand and Fou T'ong. The chairman of the Society is Dr. Andrew Freris, the vice-chairwoman is Teresa Li-Lai , the executive secretary and treasurer is Dr. Anabella Levin-Freris.

In 1999 the Society launched an annual series of recitals, The Winners Series, which brings to Hong Kong the first prizewinners of major international music competitions. The Society believes that Hong Kong, a city of winners itself, should have the opportunity to experience the performance of these young and promising artists at an early stage in their careers. The Society has presented, so far, 23 public recitals in these series. Important bodies, such as CLP Holdings, Bank of America and BNP Paribas, as well as individuals, such as Teresa Li-Lai, have sponsored the Series. Following a generous offer of patronage, the Series has now been named The Teresa Li-Lai Winners Series.

In 2001 the Society launched a new series, which following a generous offer of patronage, is now named The Lady Kadoorie Masters Series. These events bring to Hong Kong master teachers to perform in recitals and to run workshops/master classes for music students in Hong Kong, and whenever possible, from the PRC and from other countries in Asia. The series so far has featured masterclasses in piano, cello, guitar, string quartet and conducting, all open to students and teachers completely free of charge.

In September 2005 the Society ran its biggest event to date, the First Hong Kong International Piano Competition. The event was sponsored by, among others, Lady Kadoorie, the Government of Hong Kong (through its Leisure and Cultural Services Department), CLP Holdings, Teresa Li-Lai, Cathay Pacific and Tom Lee Music.

In 2006 the Chopin Society launched its own recording label, the Alpha Omega Sound which will be releasing a varied and unusual series of archival CDs, remastered at the famous Abbey Road Studios, as well as recordings made specifically for its label. The Society has issued the first of a series of 11 CDs featuring 10 recordings from the spectacular sound archives of SODRE, the state radio and TV organization of Uruguay. The Series include completely unknown live performances by artists such as Heifetz, Kogan, Arrau and Segovia. The Society has also issued a CLP Holdings sponsored double CD, later to be released under the Society's own label, featuring Li Mingqiang, one of the leading piano teachers and music advisors in Hong Kong who was, at the time of these recordings, one of the major pianists in the PRC.

Dr Andrew Freris
Chairman,

The Chopin Society of Hong Kong

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