Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang: Revolutionary Music for a Turbulent Time
Music talk
23 Apr 2025
7:00-8:00pm
7:00-8:00pm
Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang: Revolutionary Music for a Turbulent Time
Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang was composed in celebration of the 400th anniversary of Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the movable-type printing press, an unprecedented and world-changing advance in mass communications. Such an earthshaking, revolutionary development demanded a correspondingly revolutionary artistic response. The unique structure of Lobgesang seems to reflect this.
But why aren't Mendelssohn's pathbreaking achievements recognized like those of Beethoven, Schumann, Liszt, Wagner, and Brahms?
In this talk, we will explore Mendelssohn's revolutionary musical ideas, the cultural milieu of his time, and propose some explanations for why he is often overlooked. This event will be conducted in English.
Ahead of its upcoming concert on May 10, 2025 featuring Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang, Dallapiccola’s Piccola musica notturna and Rautavaara’s Balada, the Hong Kong Bach Choir is presenting two pre-concert talks in partnership with Wyndham Social and Pinewood Wine Hong Kong. Music Director Jerome Hoberman will share stories behind these great composers and the driving forces behind their compositions. While immersed in the cozy atmosphere, you’ll also get to taste wines carefully selected to reflect the different flairs of the repertoire. And we will have unique wine offerings for each session!
The talks are proudly supported by Wyndham Social, Pinewood Wine and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. Hong Kong Arts Development Council supports freedom of artistic expression. The views and opinions expressed in this project do not represent the stand of the Council.
The concert, Mendelssohn Lobgesang, will take place on Saturday May 10, 2025, 8PM, at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall. Featured soloists are sopranos Louise Kwong and Rachel Kwok, tenors Chen Chen and Francisco Fernández. Jerome Hoberman conducts. For details and tickets, please visit the event URBTIX site at https://www.urbtix.hk/event-detail/12987/.
About the Speaker: Jerome Hoberman
Jerome Hoberman has been the Music Director and Conductor of The Hong Kong Bach Choir since 1992. He is known for his communicative ability that inspires musicians and audiences alike. Hoberman has directed various orchestras, including the Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra and the Nittany Valley Symphony. He has led many significant first performances, introducing the music of Witold Lutosławski to Mainland China and Luigi Dallapiccola to Ukraine. He is also dedicated to the education of young musicians and has directed orchestras at Hong Kong Baptist University and the University of Notre Dame.
About The Hong Kong Bach Choir
The Hong Kong Bach Choir, established in 1970, has grown from a modest group of 15 people to a leading classical chorus with over 100 multinational members. The Choir has performed at prestigious events such as Le French May and the 1997 Handover Ceremony. It has collaborated with local and international groups, including the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and the Cornell University Chorus. Known for its artistic quality and creative programming, the Choir has introduced a wide variety of music to Hong Kong, including newly commissioned works and Asian premières. Since 1992, Jerome Hoberman has been its Music Director.
