"Ode to Life: Concert of World-Renowned Composer Huang Anlun" was held successfully

On the evening of June 6, a rich and moving performance "Ode to Life: Concert of World-Renowned Composer Huang Anlun" was held at HKSKH St. Paul's Church in Hong Kong. This will be remembered as a moving interpretation of very talented instrumental and vocal musicians and an historic event for the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui.

Two choirs performed, the St. Paul’s Church Choir and the St. Paul’s  College Alumni Choir, singing sacred music, hymns and cantata’s written by Huang Anlun.  The organ soloist was Dr. Anne LAM, Director of Music at Chung Chi College Chapel. The piano soloist was a nineteen year old prodigy from Shanghai, Ms. CHEN Enjia, playing selections from Huang Anlun’s 30 Pieces in Saibei Folk Style. The world premier of the violin concerto with piano accompaniment, “The Dream of the Red Chamber,” was played by ZHUO Cong, the renowned violinist from Beijing, with Dr. Ruiwen CHEN, HKSKH Archives Researcher accompanying him on the piano. Mr. Huang Anlun, music advisor to the Archbishop, directed the choirs and spent many hours of rehearsal with all the performers.

Bishop Matthias Der opened the evening with prayer, and Archbishop Andrew Chan delivered a warm address on his regard for his friend and advisor Huang Anlun and his high expectations for the evening.  The audience who had filled the sanctuary agreed that these hopes were more than fulfilled. Many lingered deep into the night to meet and speak with the performers.

The HKSKH Archives is collecting Huang Anlun’s sheet music and papers about music. A video of the June 6 performance is forthcoming and will be available through the Archives’ website.  We are grateful to Dr. Otto Lam, member of the HKSKH Archives Board, who was the official videographer for the performance.