“Classics Reimagined: Golden Hour Harmonies” a Resounding Success

Two days of outdoor concerts and masterclass at Macao Cultural Centre
Plaza draw over 2,600 audience members
In celebration of dual anniversaries, part of Sands China’s community
revitalisation efforts

 

(Macao, Dec. 12, 2024) – More than 2,600 audience members enjoyed Classics Reimagined: Golden Hour Harmonies at Macao Cultural Centre Plaza Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, as part of Sands China’s latest revitalisation efforts. In celebration of this year’s 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland, the two-day free outdoor concert series comprised three musical sessions held on the lawn and a two-hour long masterclass, delighting audiences with harmonious music during the golden hour at dusk. 

Organised by Sands China Ltd. and supported by Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Macao Government Tourism Office, the concerts were presented by the Sands China Performing Arts Programme. It featured live performances by Vienna’s celebrated family quartet Janoska Ensemble, world-renowned pianist Niu Niu, and world-champion harmonicist Gordon Lee, bringing a captivating musical feast to both local residents and tourists.

The world-renowned musicians received massive applause for their mesmerising performances, in which they reinterpreted the classics in celebration of the dual anniversaries in a cosy, open-air setting. With their original melodies, they delivered delightful music for audiences to enjoy. Besides their performance, the Janoska Ensemble also conducted a masterclass for 17 young musicians aged 5-27, giving them professional guidance and valuable insights. On-site refreshment booths operated by local SMEs offered locally made food and beverages, including healthy drinks, pastries, and draft beer, for audiences to enjoy while immersed in the musical atmosphere. 

“Sands China was very pleased to present our ‘Classics Reimagined’ outdoor concert series, delivering a delightful music experience for the public to enjoy in celebration of the dual anniversaries,” said Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd. “Following the success of last year’s Winter Showcase, we once again presented a musical gala for all at Macao Cultural Centre, where local families and tourists could experience the charm of exceptional music in a relaxing outdoor setting during the autumn season. We believe that this concert will help promote the popularisation of art and bring inspiration to young musical talents in Macao. Moving forward, we will continue to introduce high-quality art events that align with the commitments of our company’s Community Revitalization Programme and Performing Arts Programme, aiming to cultivate creative insights for both local art talents and audiences, reflecting the diversity of Macao’s position as a City of Performing Arts.”

“Highlights from Janoska Ensemble 10 Years Concert” and Masterclass 
Janoska Ensemble came back to Macao Nov. 30 to captivate the audience with a profound show that infused classical music with a vibrant modern flair in their own innovative and improvisational “Janoska Style.” Janoska Ensemble comprises violinists Ondrej Janoska and Roman Janoska, pianist František Janoska, and double bass player Julius Darvas. Following last year’s impressive performance at The Parisian Theatre, Janoska Ensemble once again brought their exceptional music to the Macao audience. They left the audience enchanted with two songs specially rearranged to celebrate Macao’s return to the motherland: “Descendants of the Dragon” and “Ode to the Motherland.” They also impressed the audience by performing incredible tracks from their latest album — “The Four Seasons in Janoska Style.”

In addition, the group delivered an exclusive masterclass for 17 young Macao and Hong Kong musicians Dec. 1 at the plaza, making it Macao’s first-ever outdoor masterclass open for public viewing. It provided the public with a rare closer look at the ensemble alongside the invited musicians. The masterclass gave participants the opportunity to closely interact with these incredibly talented artists as they shared their inspirational and educational experiences, contributing to the cultivation of a vibrant music community in Macao.

Gordon Lee Harmonica Concert 
On Dec. 1, winner of the prestigious 2017 World Harmonica Festival in Germany Gordon Lee captivated audiences with his exceptional talent. Together with his ensemble, Lee collaborated with 30 young musicians from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts to deliver a creative, nuanced, and touching performance, showing why he is widely recognised as one of the foremost harmonicists in the world. He brought his concert to a climax by distributing 500 pentatonic harmonicas to the audience to perform “Jingle Bells” with him, experiencing the fun of playing music together and celebrating the Christmas season.  

Niu Niu “Lifetime” Piano Recital

World famous pianist Niu Niu presented the finale of the series on Dec. 1, performing his first-ever solo concert in Macao, in which he dazzled the audience with his extraordinary piano skills on a Fazioli piano. He also collaborated with Gordon Lee on an improvised performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s masterpiece, “Flight of the Bumblebee,” creating an exciting vibe with the novel arrangement. This celebrated musician meticulously selected songs like the fourth movement of The Yellow River Piano Concerto: “Defend the Yellow River,” astounding the audience through a life journey that encompassed a plethora of emotions – from sorrow to joy, from enmity to love, and from separation to reunion.   

Sands China remains dedicated to facilitating cultural exchange through its ongoing commitment to the arts. Launched in 2023, the Sands China Performing Arts Programme aims to broaden the scope of performing arts in Macao by introducing and promoting premier national, local, and overseas projects. The programme aligns with the Macao SAR government’s vision for the integrated tourism and leisure industry, utilising Macao’s role as a platform for international exchange while promoting Macao’s international image as a City of Performing Arts and Culture City of East Asia. 

Visit  www.sandschina.com/the-company/scl-community-revitalization-programme.html to learn more about Sands China’s revitalisation initiatives.