Sparked by a keen interest in early performance practice whilst studying violin at universities in Melbourne and Vienna, Chris embarked on a freelance career with ensembles in Europe, America, also performing regularly with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra back in his native homeland. Pragmatic and undeterred from continuing his journey after a serious accident abruptly ended his violinistic ambitions, he now shares his knowledge and insight into performance as a music critic, formerly writing for Vienna’s Wiener Zeitung and currently for the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, where he also studies wine, his other great passion!
The Hong Kong Sinfonietta intrigues with the world premiere of Lam Lai's There is no place like home (beta), impresses in Shostakovich’s brooding Chamber Symphony, while Pavel Kolesnikov proves a fine soloist in Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto.
The Hong Kong Philharmonic's performances of Brahms' Second and Fourth symphonies at City Hall prove acoustically problematic under chief conductor Jaap van Zweden.
Jaap van Zweden and the Hong Kong Phil excel in Shostakovich's Ninth Symphony and give an atmospheric reading of the Sea Interludes by Britten, but cellist Jan Vogler struggles to settle in Elgar’s Cello Concerto.
A showcase of works from the past century by Clyne, Prokofiev, Stravinsky and Barber allow the Hong Kong Sinfonietta to shine under Ken Lam's baton at Hong Kong's City Hall.
Pianist Colleen Lee displays both dexterity and delicacy in Mozart's Coronation concerto, while HK Phil strut their romantic stuff in Schumann's Rhenish Symphony.
A forced programme change by Hong Kong Sinfonietta proves beneficial, lightening up the evening with Mozart’s overture to Le nozze di Figaro before a pair of Beethoven works.
