Date: 19 Nov 2024 - 26 Nov 2024
Concert: 1:05–1:55 p.m.
Admission: 12:45–1:00 p.m.
Venue: Drake Gallery, 1/F, Fung Ping Shan Building, University Museum and Art Gallery, HKU
90 Bonham Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
Performer: Stephen Hung | Piano
Concert I: 19 NOV 2024 (TUE)
English Suite No. 1 in A major, BWV 806
English Suite No. 2 in A minor, BWV 807
English Suite No. 5 in E minor, BWV 810
Free admission. Please click here to register for Concert I.
Concert II: 26 NOV 2024 (TUE)
English Suite No. 3 in G minor, BWV 808
English Suite No. 6 in D minor, BWV 811
English Suite No. 4 in F major, BWV 809
Free admission. Please click here to register for Concert II.
When one thinks of Bach’s most iconic works, his unaccompanied cello suites undoubtedly come to mind. These compositions of baroque dance music continue to captivate audiences with their elegance and liveliness. Less known but equally enchanting are Bach’s keyboard suites written for the harpsichord or clavichord. The English Suites, French Suites and Partitas each consist of six different suites.
The English Suites, written in Bach’s 30s, are the earliest of the three works, and showcase his formidable skill on the keyboard. From a compositional standpoint, these were crafted during a period when Bach had already honed a mature writing technique but had not quite reached the pinnacle of sophistication found in his later works. We often hear striking melodies in the English Suites that serve as a perfect introduction to Bach’s creations and the broader realm of Baroque music.
Performer: Stephen Hung graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in London. Apart from his studies in piano, he also received training on the harpsichord and organ. He is especially drawn to the music of J. S. Bach and previous performances include the complete 2-part and 3-part inventions, Book 2 of the Well-Tempered Clavier, and a number of Jukebox concerts, and collaborative projects with the visual-artist Oychir.