The Macao Orchestra (OM, from the Portuguese acronym), under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, presented the concert “Piano Giant”, part of the Shining Virtuosos series, on 20 January, at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium. Renowned Austrian pianist Stefan Vladar, who was the youngest winner in the history of the International Beethoven Piano Competition in Vienna and a widely-acclaimed interpreter of Beethoven’s masterpieces, gave a magnificent performance of Beethoven’s signature piece, the Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, followed by OM’s performance of Bruckner’s Study Symphony, among other works. Under the baton of OM’s Music Director Lu Jia, the Orchestra brilliantly presented the distinctive and intense German and Austrian classical music, and was well-received by the audience. An autograph session by Vladar was held at the same venue after the performance, in which the pianist received an overwhelming support from music aficionados.
Remarkable Austrian pianist Stefan Vladar faultlessly rendered Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, a masterpiece rarely brought to stage, in the “Piano Giant” concert with his sophisticated technique and musicianship. OM then presented Austrian composer Anton Bruckner’s Study Symphony, which has kept the lowest profile among the composer’s symphonies so far in terms of its frequency of performance and first edition of the score. It was indeed a precious chance to see this symphony on stage.
On the day before the concert was held, the Macao Orchestra specially organized the “Piano Master Class with Stefan Vladar”, in which pianist Stefan Vladar coached and exchanged views with Macao music aficionados, expanding their horizons and enriching their performing experience.
In addition, the Macao Orchestra will present the chamber music concert “Listen to Winds” on Friday, 26 January, at 8pm, at the Dom Pedro V Theatre. The sharing session “Music Hour with Musicians” will be held specially before the concert starts, featuring OM’s Principal Oboe Kai Sai and Principal Flute Weng Sibei, who will perform some musical pieces to participants. All music aficionados are welcome to share and exchange views with the musicians.
Tickets for the concert “Listen to Winds” are now available through the Macao Ticketing Network and are priced at MOP120 and MOP100. Ticketing hotlines: (853) 2855 5555. Ticketing website: www.macauticket.com. For details and enquiries about the programme, please call (853) 2853 0782 during office hours or visit Macao Orchestra’s website at www.icm.gov.mo/om.
