The Macao Orchestra (OM, from the Portuguese acronym), under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, presented the concert “Salute to Richard Strauss – Tianwa Yang and Macao Orchestra”, part of the Shining Virtuosos series, on 19 January at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium, featuring Edouard Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole, in which acclaimed Chinese violinist Tianwa Yang displayed her virtuoso technique. The Orchestra also performed two classical symphonic masterpieces by Richard Strauss, Don Juan and Tod und Verklärung (Death and Transfiguration). The concert was well-received by the public. An autograph session was held with Tianwa Yang which attracted swarms of music aficionados. In addition, the violinist gave a master class on 18 January at the Macao Conservatory, in which she coached and exchanged views with the participating violin students.

Tianwa Yang, hailed by American music critics for her “stunning, effortless virtuosity”, cooperated with the Macao Orchestra for the first time in this concert, presenting the world-famous and challenging violin concerto Symphonie Espagnole by French composer Édouard Lalo. Written as a “symphony” for violin and orchestra, the Symphonie Espagnole features a rich and colourful violin solo, with which Tianwa Yang demonstrated her superb virtuosity and earned rounds of applause. As a tribute to German composer Richard Strauss on the 70^th anniversary of his death this year, the Macao Orchestra also performed two of his classical symphonic masterpieces, Don Juan and Tod und Verklärung (Death and Transfiguration).

On Sunday 27 January, OM will present the chamber music concert “Mesmerising Austro-German Music” at the Dom Pedro V Theatre, at 8pm, featuring a programme of ensemble compositions by Mozart, Mendelssohn and Schubert. Tickets are priced at MOP120 and MOP100 and are now available for purchase. On the same day, the exchange session “Music Hour with Musicians” will be held at 7pm, in which musicians of the Orchestra including first violinist Li Silei, cellist Zhang Taiyang and bassoonist Zhu Wukun will talk about curiosities of chamber music. Admission is free. Ticketing hotline: 2855 5555. For details and programme enquiries, please contact OM through tel. no. 2853 0782 during office hours or visit the Macao Orchestra’s webpage at www.icm.gov.mo/om.