Jaap van Zweden was chief conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra for twelve years. Now he is saying goodbye with a tour through Europe with Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony and Roukens’ acclaimed double concerto In Unison with the piano brothers Lucas and Arthur Jussen.

Jaap van Zweden with Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2

“A top conductor, like a kind of orchestra whisperer, can turn a very good orchestra into an excellent ensemble – as chief conductor Jaap van Zweden has done with the Hong Kong Philharmonic,” according to de Volkskrant. ‘Next year he will exchange Hong Kong for Seoul. He leaves the orchestra in excellent shape.” During his farewell tour, Van Zweden will conduct Rachmaninoff’s exuberant and colorful Second Symphony.

Roukens’ double concerto for Lucas and Arthur Jussen

Joey Roukens composed his double concerto In Unison especially for the successful piano brothers Lucas and Arthur Jussen. NRC called the world premiere ‘exciting’ in 2018 and de Volkskrant called the work full of pop influences ‘a piece that serves the stomach and head, from flashy to magical’. Roukens’ new double concerto also features on the Edison Klassiek-winning album Dutch Masters.

Program:

Lo Ting-cheung – Asterismal Dance
Joey Roukens – In Unison
Sergey Rachmaninoff – Symfonie nr. 2 in e, op. 27