Die Konzertisten
The high-standard, refined musicking by the Hong Kong choir Die Konzertisten is surprising and gratifying…[they] deliver the music with a perfectly blended voice, natural phrasings and utmost devotions. — Dennis Wu
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Die Konzertisten (DK) is recognised as one of Hong Kong’s foremost chamber choirs. Led by Music Director Felix Yeung and Resident Conductor Sanders Lau, DK performs with the greatest commitment repertoire ranging from Renaissance polyphony and Baroque masterpieces to Romantic delicacies and newly commissioned works by composers in the region.
DK aims to bring the finest of artistic experiences to local audiences. The choir frequently brings in internationally distinguished artists, including conductors Stephen Layton, Jonathan Cohen, John Butt, Helmuth Rilling, Nicholas Cleobury, Chen Yun-hung, baroque cellist Viola de Hoog, baroque flautist Marten Root, and countertenor Iestyn Davies; and have performed such diverse works as Bach Mass in B minor, Handel Israel in Egypt, Vivaldi Gloria, Mozart Requiem, Bruckner Mass in E minor, Durufle Requiem, Howell Requiem, and Bernstein Chichester Psalms.
A keen advocate of Baroque music, DK ardently promotes the historically informed performance of early music to the local audience with its own baroque orchestra Cammer Musicus. In the 2018/19 season, DK collaborates with the award-winning period-instrument ensemble Arcangelo and its director Jonathan Cohen, giving two unique concerts, including Bach’s Mass in B minor. Other recent highlights include Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s St John Passion, and some of Bach’s greatest Cantatas. Under the baton of its own Felix Yeung, DK has previously performed Bach’s St Matthew Passion, Buxtehude’s Membra Jesu Nostri, and Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas.
The choir’s artistic accomplishments have led to invitations of collaboration from eminent artists and organisations locally and abroad. DK will be featured in two programmes of the 47th Hong Kong Arts Festival (HKAF), singing Berlioz Lélio with Les Siècles, and Zhou Long Madame White Snake (The first Chinese winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Music). DK has also appeared in many of HKAF’s past programmes, such as Wagner Das Liebesmahl der Apostel with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra & Male Choir (2018), Debussy Pelleas et Melisande (2018), Bright Sheng Dream of the Red Chamber (2017), Gluck Iphigenia in Tauris with Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch (2014), The Britten 100 Project (2013), and other HKAF PLUS programmes. The choir was also featured for four consecutive years in the broadcasted RTHK 4 Christmas in the Park concert. Hong Kong Composers’ Guild invited the choir to perform in its Musicarama Festival (2012, 2016) and Chinese Composers’ Festival (2013). Performances with Hong Kong Sinfonietta (Faure Requiem) and Hong Kong City Chamber Orchestra (Karl Jenkins Requiem) in 2012 were both critically acclaimed. In 2015, DK was invited by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office to perform at the Victoria Theatre in Singapore.
