LCSD’s “Great Music 2026”: World-renowned artists bring musical masterpieces to life

Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, “Great Music 2026” is now underway, offering Hong Kong music lovers a series of delightful classical music programmes. This year’s stellar line-up once again brings together a world-renowned orchestra and acclaimed musicians. Following the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig concerts in June, three eagerly anticipated solo and duo recitals will take place from October to December. French violin virtuoso Renaud Capuçon, the string duo of Sol Gabetta and Patricia Kopatchinskaja, and Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki will take turns on stage, enriching Hong Kong’s autumn and winter with memorable musical experiences.

Violin Recital by Renaud Capuçon

Taking place on 11 October, the “Violin Recital by Renaud Capuçon” promises to be a highlight for lovers of string music. One of today’s most acclaimed French violinists and conductors, Capuçon received rigorous training at the Paris Conservatoire from a young age and is renowned for his nuanced, expressive playing. In recent years, alongside his role as artistic director of the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, he has appeared regularly at prestigious concert halls and festivals worldwide, both conducting and directing performances from the violin.

Returning to the Hong Kong stage, Capuçon will perform all three violin sonatas by the German Romantic master Brahms. Written at different stages of the composer’s career, these works combine lyrical reflection with the tension of tightly structured writing, together forming a complete musical narrative. He will be joined by the gifted pianist Guillaume Bellom. Drawing on a rich palette of tonal colours, the two artists will allow the violin and piano to respond to one another as the music unfolds, offering audiences a richly layered listening experience that lingers long after the final note.

Duo Recital by Sol Gabetta (Cello) & Patricia Kopatchinskaja (Violin)

Following on 2 November, the “Duo Recital by Sol Gabetta (Cello) & Patricia Kopatchinskaja (Violin)” promises an evening of string music brimming with energy and imagination. Cellist Sol Gabetta and Grammy Award-winning violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja are among the most distinctive soloists on today’s classical music scene. They have developed a close artistic partnership in recent years, and their joint recordings have won multiple international classical music awards.

For this recital, the two musicians will take on the highly demanding violin-and-cello duo repertoire. Their carefully chosen programme spans eras and styles, featuring selected short pieces by Bach, Ravel’s richly coloured Sonata for Violin and Cello, Kodály’s folk-inflected duo, and works for the two string instruments by contemporary composer Widmann, among others. Such a programme calls not only for individual virtuosity but also for exceptional rapport and attentive listening between the performers. Audiences can savour the interplay between the cello’s warm depth and the violin’s agility, discovering a distinctive musical world in which classical and modern voices meet.

Piano Recital by Jan Lisiecki

Bringing the series to a close on 6 December, the “Piano Recital by Jan Lisiecki” will showcase the artistry of the acclaimed Canadian pianist. Lisiecki displayed exceptional musical talent from an early age, signing an exclusive recording contract with the internationally renowned label Deutsche Grammophon at just 15. At 18, he became the youngest-ever recipient of Gramophone magazine’s Young Artist of the Year Award. Over the years, his pure tone and imaginative interpretations have earned him an outstanding reputation around the world.

For his Hong Kong audience, Lisiecki has devised an imaginative solo programme centred on dance. The recital unfolds as a rhythmic journey across cultures and eras, from Chopin’s signature polonaise and waltzes and Schubert’s German dances to Falla’s Spanish dances, Bartók’s Romanian dances and Piazzolla’s passionate tango. Through these varied works, he will demonstrate his exceptional command of rhythm and tonal colour.

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Info Box:
Great Music 2026

Violin Recital by Renaud Capuçon
Date and time: 11 October (Sunday), 8:00pm
Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall
Ticket prices: $280 to $680

Duo Recital by Sol Gabetta (Cello) & Patricia Kopatchinskaja (Violin)
Date and time: 2 November (Monday), 8:00pm
Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall
Ticket prices: $280 to $680

Piano Recital by Jan Lisiecki
Date and time: 6 December (Sunday), 8:00pm
Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall
Ticket prices: $250 to $550

For further details: https://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1946.html