The Intimacy of Creativity 2013 HKUST Press Release!

Hailed by the Financial Times as "the city's most innovative music experience," The Intimacy of Creativity, the first-of-its kind in Hong Kong, is a two-week Partnership devoted to an intimate dialogue between composers and performers presented by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). It returns to Hong Kong 22 April to 5 May, 2013.

Based on an idea that is at once new and old, world-renowned composers and performers, and assorted emerging composers come together to exchange musical ideas in depth, for the purpose of improving their compositions, or their performance practice or their musical interpretations. This will be done over the course of two weeks in Open Discussions. Audiences will be ringside to witness the birth of new music and hear the final results for themselves at the World Premiere Concerts at the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre on 28 April and 5 May, 2013.

"The Intimacy of Creativity 2013 promises to be the very best we have staged so far," says the Artistic Director and internationally-renowned composer, conductor, and pianist, Bright Sheng, "a truly exciting and fantastic season with great artists." Joining him will be Distinguished Guest Artist/Composer and 2002 MacArthur "Genius" Award-winning double-bassist, Edgar Meyer; Distinguished Guest Artist and Gramophone's Record of the Year-winning violinist, Cho-Liang Lin, Artistic Director of the Hong Kong International Chamber Music Festival; Ensemble-in-Residence and 2012 Artist-in-Residence at Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome, Quartetto di Cremona; Guest Artist and First Prize-Winning Violinist at the Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition, Katie Hyun, Guest Artist and 2012 Claire Rosen and Samuel Edes Foundation Prize for Emerging Artists-winning pianist, Nolan Pierson; and Guest Lecturer and noted contemporary music violinist, chamber, musician, and conductor, Paul Zukofsky.

After receiving a record 144 submissions to The Intimacy of Creativity call-for-scores from emerging composers around the world, six talented Composer Fellows have been chosen to join these renowned guests: Dai Bo (China), Charles Halka (USA), Karlo Margetić (New Zealand), Eli Marshall (USA), Steven Snowden (USA), and Roger Zare (USA).

As a special added bonus, one Composer Fellow's work will be selected through audience vote to be presented during the 2014 season of the Hong Kong International Chamber Music Festival.

"The Intimacy of Creativity is the centerpiece of the developing music and performing arts programmes at HKUST, which serves to enhance the education of its students through exposure to the creative process and hands-on arts education," writes Prof. Tony F. Chan, President of HKUST which plays host to the festival as part of HKUST Music Alive!, a new concert series promoting HKUST as a destination for creative, well-rounded global leaders who are exposed to the power of the arts during their university education.

The Intimacy of Creativity is supported by Dr. and Mrs. Helmut Sohmen in Memory of Sir Yue-Kong Pao CBE JP.

The Intimacy of Creativity is proud to continue its media partnership with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) for the 2013 season. The 2013 season partners include Premiere Performances of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong International Chamber Music Festival and the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of Hong Kong. Venue and ticketing support is being provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. More information may be found at www.ic.shss.ust.hk

For general enquiries, please contact Clara So at shycs@ust.hk (2358-8350)

For media enquiries, please feel free to contact:
Mavis Wong
Tel: 2358 6306
Email: maviswong@ust.hk