About Hong Kong Chamber Music Society

Founded in 1975, the Hong Kong Chamber Music Society (HKCMS) is one of the city’s oldest non-profit music organizations. For nearly half a century, we have remained dedicated to presenting superb performances by remarkable artists. These performances are a unique opportunity for Hong Kong audiences to rediscover the beauty and depth of classical music in a way that’s really up close and personal.

HKCMS also continues to preserve the rich tradition of European salon concerts—a type of performance that flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries, where music was performed in aristocratic parlors and private salons. These gatherings emphasized intimacy, refinement, and the joy of live exchange between performers and audiences—values we still cherish today.

Over the years, it has worked with outstanding local and global artists, holding concerts at venues like Government House, The Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong Club and Ladies’ Recreation Club (LRC). Beyond performances, it nurtures young talent via affiliate, performance opportunities and mentorship in an international professional network.

HKCMS continues to shape the chamber music landscape of Hong Kong with passion and purpose—where tradition meets innovation and music is always shared with sincerity, warmth, and artistry.

Celebrating 50 Years of Music: A Milestone for the Hong Kong Chamber Music Society

In 2025, the Hong Kong Chamber Music Society proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary—a remarkable milestone in our journey of sharing music with the community. For half a century, we have witnessed the evolution of Hong Kong’s classical music scene, offering audiences moments of beauty, reflection, and connection through the art of chamber music.

Since our founding in 1975, we have stayed true to our mission: presenting high-quality chamber performances in an intimate and elegant setting, preserving the timeless tradition of European salon concerts. Along
the way, we have collaborated with world-class artists and supported emerging local talent, breathing new life into the city’s musical landscape.

This anniversary is not only a celebration of the past, but also a new beginning. Today as we celebrate our heritage and our future HKCMS concerts, we look ahead with renewed passion—committed to making chamber music ever more accessible, inspiring and relevant to future generations.

To all our supporters, performers and audiences: thank you for taking this journey with us. It is your presence that has made these fifty years so meaningful.

Laurence Scofield
Chairman
Hong Kong Chamber Music Society

Some Highlights from
50 Years of Hong Kong’s
Cultural History

Opening Gala Dinner

Date | 3 Oct, 2025 (FRI)
Time | 7:00 p.m.
Venue | Ladies’ Recreation Club – Function and Dining Rooms
Ticket | Concert & Dinner $680

PROGRAMME NOTE

Richard Strauss’s “Zueignung” Op.10, No.1 is a heartfelt declaration of love, setting an emotional tone for the recital. His “Ständchen” Op.17, No.2 offers a tender serenade, while “Cäcilie” Op.27, No.2 expresses intense passion through dramatic vocals and accompaniment.

Rachmaninov’s “Zdes’ khorosho” Op.21, No.7 provides a serene, nostalgic mood. “Ne poy, krasavitsa, pri mne” Op.4, No.4 is a lush, romantic piece full of longing, and “Vesenniye void” Op. 14, No. 11 captures the freshness of spring waters with flowing melodies and vibrant piano accompaniment, reflecting nature’s renewal and vitality.

Francis Poulenc’s “Les Chemins de l’amour” charms with playful French lyricism, while Erik Satie’s “Je te veux” is a simple yet tender waltz. Roger Quilter’s “Love’s Philosophy” delicately interprets the connection between nature and love.

The programme closes with Francesco Paolo Tosti’s “Il bacio,” arranged by Arditi, a virtuosic and passionate piece capturing the thrill of a stolen kiss.

Exceptional Skill and Virtuosity

Date | 2 Nov, 2025 (SUN)
Time | 7:00p.m.
Venue | Ladies’ Recreation Club – Function and Dining Rooms
Ticket | Concert Only $280; Concert & Dinner $680

PROGRAMME NOTE

The “Kreutzer” Violin Sonata demands that both violinist and pianist have exceptional skill and virtuosity. Each must evoke passion and conflict plus moments of tenderness and introspection. The piece has been inspiration for later artistic geniuses like Janáček and Tolstoy.

Chopin’s Nocturne Op. 9 No. 1-3 are celebrated for their lyrical beauty and depth. They are cornerstones of the Romantic piano repertoire, admired for melodic grace and highlight the influence of Italian opera on Chopin’s writing.

Scriabin’s Valse Op. 38 is a captivating blend of his early Romantic style, influenced by Chopin, with hints of what’s to come in the future of music.

Debussy’s Les collines d’Anacapri captures the essence of a sunny Mediterranean landscape and evokes a feeling of sunlight with its unique harmonies. La Fille aux cheveux de lin (The Girl with the Flaxen Hair) is a piece of delicate beauty, evoking innocence and gentle grace. Its dreamy, atmospheric quality using the whole-tone scale is deceptively simple.

Vocal Recital: Muses and More

Date | 18 Nov, 2025 (TUE)
Time | 7:00p.m.
Venue | Ladies Recreation Club – Function and Dining Rooms
Ticket | Concert Only $280; Concert & Dinner $680

PROGRAMME NOTE

O quand je dors by Franz Liszt evokes the timeless beauty, mystery, and power of the feminine, drawing on the Petrarchan ideal of Laura as both muse and inspiration. This art song celebrates womanhood as a source of admiration, creativity, and emotional depth, portraying sensuality and grace intertwined with agency. Through its lyrical lines and expressive harmonies, the piece invites listeners to reflect on the multifaceted nature of femininity — both delicate and commanding, inspiring awe and evoking profound artistic resonance.

Sempre Libera from Verdi’s La Traviata presents Violetta as one of opera’s first heroines to boldly break free from destiny and societal expectations. She owns her narrative with courage, intelligence, and vitality, navigating love, sacrifice, and freedom on her own terms. As a character, Violetta embodies feminine strength and agency, challenging confinement while expressing vulnerability, passion, and resilience. Her story continues to inspire audiences, celebrating the enduring power of women who claim their voices and shape their own paths.

Silver Aria from The Ballad of Baby Doe by Douglas Moore glorifies the hidden beauty and quiet strength of the feminine, likened to silver and the moon — often overshadowed by the brilliance of the sun, yet commanding in its own right. Just as the moon’s unique qualities help balance the universe, Baby Doe’s voice and presence reveal resilience, intelligence, and subtle power in her story as a modern female protagonist.

Trois Mélodies by Mel Bonis presents a captivating set of three songs that showcase the composer’s originality and expressive subtlety. In a male-dominated musical world, Bonis created works of elegance and emotional depth, blending melody, harmony, and text in ways that are uniquely hers. Each song in this set offers a distinct mood and character, revealing her sensitivity to poetry and her command of vocal color. Let us celebrate her achievements, rediscover the beauty of her music, and experience the fresh, nuanced voice of a remarkable female composer.

Intensely Personal and Intimate

Date | 25 Nov, 2025 (TUE)
Time | 7:00p.m.
Venue | Ladies Recreation Club – Function and Dining Rooms
Ticket | Concert Only $280; Concert & Dinner $680

PROGRAMME NOTE

Schumann’s Fantasy Pieces are intensely personal, intimate and full of contrasting moods and characters. They are deeply romantic and confessional and are said to contain secret messages for his wife Clara Schumann.

Brahms’ Cello Sonata in E minor, Op. 38, is famous for its masterful use of counterpoint and its intimate dialogue between cello and piano. The rich, symphonic piano part is set against the cello’s role as an equal partner, not merely an accompanying instrument. The finale, a fugue inspired by Bach’s Art of Fugue, is renowned for its technical brilliance and integration of contrapuntal techniques.

César Franck’s Cello Sonata combines a unique blend of romanticism and spirituality. Indeed, the slow movement has been described as a “religious meditation.” The sonata is known for its technical demands on the cellist, and we are fortunate to have a master of the instrument from Germany, Jonathan Weigal, who will demonstrate for us why this piece continues to fascinate and challenge musicians and listeners alike.

The Essence of Storytelling

Date | 8 Dec, 2025 (MON)
Time | 7:00p.m.
Venue | Ladies Recreation Club – Function and Dining Rooms
Ticket | Concert Only $280; Concert & Dinner $680

PROGRAMME NOTE

Kegelstatt, KV 498 shows off Mozart’s masterful balance with no one instrument dominating the others. Its elegant melodies and graceful phrases are like a conversation between the three. The piece is seen as a showcase for the unique timbral blend of the clarinet and viola with the piano.

Max Bruch’s 8 Pieces for Clarinet, Viola and Piano, Op.83 No.2, 6, 7 are short and varied in mood and tempo, but are much more than salon sketches. Each is a fully realized chamber work with structured forms, romantic harmonies and passionate expression.

Robert Schumann’s Märchenerzählungen (Fairy Tale Narratives), Op. 132, captures the essence of storytelling through music, with a focus on the picturesque and fanciful. Its dreamlike quality, contrasting moods and the interplay between the clarinet, viola, and piano, have been likened to characters in an opera.

Private Residence Concert on the Peak

Date | 9 Dec, 2025 (TUE)
Time | 7:00p.m.
Venue | A Luxury Residence at Mount Kellett Road, the Peak, located at one of the highest points on Hong Kong Island.
Ticket | Concert Only $280; Concert & Dinner $680 (Dinner menu upon request specially selected for guests by the Host and Hostess)

PROGRAMME NOTE

Joseph Haydn’s String Quartet in C Major, Op. 33 No. 3, popularly known as “The Bird,” is a delightful and spirited work renowned for its lively textures and playful motifs. The nickname comes from the chirping, birdlike figures that add charm and whimsical character to the music.

Chan Kai-young’s À la recherche de la lune (In Search of the Moon) offers a contemporary voice within this programme. This piece evokes a poetic and mysterious atmosphere, blending modern harmonic language with delicate instrumental colors to take listeners on an evocative musical journey.

Felix Mendelssohn’s String Quartet in E-flat Major (1823) reveals the young composer’s early mastery and lyrical inventiveness. Though composed in his teenage years, this work already displays Mendelssohn’s gift for melodic warmth and classical elegance.

Mendelssohn’s String Quartet No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 44, No. 3 is a mature work that balances structural sophistication with expressive depth. Part of his celebrated Op. 44 set, this quartet features rich harmonic textures and invigorating thematic development, making it a highlight of the Romantic quartet repertoire.

Romer String Quartet

Named after Romer’s Tree Frog, endemic to Hong Kong, the Romer String Quartet (RSQ) is one of the city’s most active and versatile string quartets, recognized for its virtuosic performances and innovative programming.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, a city known as a cultural melting pot, the RSQ’s musicians are passionate about cross-disciplinary collaborations with artists from diverse backgrounds, including dancers, choreographers, multimedia artists, animators, sand painter, storyteller, and indie rock bands. Committed to creating extraordinary musical experiences and pushing the boundaries of the string quartet form, RSQ has collaborated with acclaimed artists on genre-defying projects. Notable works include Samson Young’s multimedia project Muted Situations for the Asia Triennial Manchester and Art Basel Hong Kong, as well as a series of online music-animation projects co-produced with Kamishibai Studio HK, supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council’s Arts Go Digital Platform Scheme.

Dedicated to championing new music, RSQ frequently collaborates with both established and emerging composers, having premiered over 60 works to date. Recent commissioned works include Chan Kai-young’s à la recherche de la lune, with sponsorship from the CASH Music Fund, and quartet cellist Eric C.H. Yip’s Shade in Darkness. The quartet was featured in Freespace Mixtape Vol. 3, an album of new compositions and arrangements produced by the West Kowloon Cultural District, and in the acclaimed CD Eurydice, featuring an hour-long work composed by Austin Yip for the dance film Ballet de la Nuit.

Since its debut in 2013, RSQ has earned widespread acclaim for performances at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall in the United States and Toppan

Hall in Japan. The quartet has also appeared at renowned festivals, including the Hong Kong Arts Festival, Beare’s Premiere Music Festival, and the French May Arts Festival. RSQ regularly performs locally and internationally in projects presented by organizations such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong Government, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo), Radio Television Hong Kong, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Hong Kong Art Museum, Hong Kong New Music Ensemble, Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts, Hong Kong Harmonica Association, and Hong Kong Composers’ Guild, among others. As the quartet-in-residence with Premiere Performances Hong Kong, RSQ has delivered over 20 educational and outreach performances, alongside masterclasses and workshops at local and international institutions.

Highlights of RSQ’s 2025/2026 season include concerts at the Guangdong Audio and Video 689 Art Space, Beautiful Sunday at the Shenzhen Concert Hall, and Shimmery Glimpses at the French May Arts Festival Associated Project.

A Gracious and Elegant Venue Perfect for
Chamber Music

Step into our exquisite venue, where charm and sophistication create the ideal setting for chamber music. This beautifully appointed room offers both comfort and aesthetic pleasure. It creates an intimate atmosphere that allows music to resonate beautifully. The warm acoustics, elegant décor, and inviting ambiance ensure a truly memorable experience for all.

Whether you’re a devoted classical music lover or discovering the magic of chamber performances, our lovely venue promises an evening of pure enchantment. Join us for an unforgettable journey through music in a space as refined as the melodies themselves.

Support Us

Location and Transportation

By Public Transportation

MTR:
Take the Central Station (Island Line), Exit C1. From there, take a short taxi or minibus ride up Old Peak Road (about 5–7 minutes).
Bus / Minibus:
Green minibuses 1 or 1A from Hong Kong Station Minibus Terminus go up Old Peak Road. Alight at Ladies’ Recreation Club stop.
Taxi: A convenient option from Central or Admiralty Station.

By Car / Parking

Non-member parking at LRC is limited, but may be requested. For greater convenience, park in Central and take a taxi to 10 Old Peak Road address of the LRC.

By Public Transportation

MTR:
Take the Central Station (Island Line), Exit D1. From there, take a taxi to Mount Kellett Road (around 15 minutes).
Bus / Minibus:
Green minibus 1 or bus 15 from Central/Exchange Square goes towards The Peak. Alight at Peak Galeria terminus. Shuttle bus provided every 10 minutes from 6:00 p.m.
Taxi: A convenient option from Central or Admiralty Station.

By Car / Parking

Drive from Central up Cotton Tree Drive, Magazine Gap Road and Peak Road and park your car at the large carpark in the Peak Galleria Shopping Mall at 119 Peak Road. Bus transfers will be available every 10 minutes to the Mount Kellett Road venue.

Ticketing Information

Package Discount

How to Purchase