Sample Concert Report, March 2023
Ms D Hui
Text Notes
On Saturday, 11th February, 2023, I attended a concert titled Turangalîla- The who, where and when of the concert
Symphonie, performed by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. It was held at Include names of soloists, if any
8pm in the Hong Kong Cultural Center. The orchestra performed two pieces: The If they only performed 3 or less pieces, include them here
Prelude and Liebestod from Wagner’s opera Tristan and Isolde, and Messiaen’s
Turangalîla-Symphonie.
First work: using the Tristan chord as my point of discussion
The Prelude and Liebestod are two pieces from the opera that are nowadays
Musical element and my feeling: the chord was beautiful
performed in succession in concert. Wagner is known for the musical motifs that
represent characters of the story or themes, and I was particularly looking forward to and heart-wrenching
the opening “Tristan chord”. It symbolizes the longing of Tristan and Isolde and their
forbidden love. Although short, it is a beautiful and heart-wrenching motif. The Hong Performance element and my feeling: they played it well
Kong Phil performed it with precision, although in my opinion it was mildly lacking in but I found that this motif was lacking in emotion
emotion. Despite the disappointment, I thoroughly enjoyed the lush music with rich
harmonies that followed. It was full of pain, longing and love.
Messiaen’s Turangalîla-Symphonie was composed based on the same story Second work: separating musical and performance
(of Tristan and Isolde), but the musical product was completely different. The elements
Symphony was over an hour long, and the orchestra was enormous, but the Musical element and my feeling: it was long and atonal, and
composition was completely atonal. I did not understand it at all. Jaap, the I didn’t understand it at all
conductor, was completely immersed in the music and seemed completely Performance element and my feeling: Jaap’s conducting
convinced by the trajectory of the music, but I must admit that this musical language was impressive but I still didn’t understand the music
was beyond my comprehension. Nevertheless, an interesting instrument was used
Musical element and my feeling: the ondes martenot was
in this work: the “ondes martenot”. It is an electric keyboard instrument that is
connected to amplifiers, and created a “wa-wa” sound like in horror films. I did not used in the music but I thought it was unnecessary in the
understand how this sound was necessary in the musical context, but then again, I musical context
can’t say I understood the musical context anyway.
When the symphony ended, there was a standing ovation in the audience.
Some audience members looked genuinely impressed and moved that the Hong
Kong Phil accomplished this feat and performed this huge and technically Final observations and closing comments:
challenging work. - General comments on the performer, eg: Would you
attend another one of their concerts again? If you could
I believe that the Messiaen symphony was one that has to be heard live in change something about their concert, what would it be?
one’s lifetime, so I am thankful for the opportunity to hear it, but as impressed as I - Other observations from the concert-going experience, eg:
was for the HK Phil’s skill and standard, I did not share their sentiments, and will not Were the audience members cooperative? Did everything
buy a ticket to hear this piece live again, HK Phil or not. I will stick with other about the concert meet your expectations?
concerts that HK Phil does.
