Let Music Keep Our Spirits Up! - "Ritual Fire Dance" by HKAPA's Cello Ensemble
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Art’s Cello Ensemble, comprising 13 School of Music students, came together to prepare a virtual rendition of Ritual Fire Dance by Manuel de Falla using video conferencing software amid the pandemic. Although they cannot meet during this period of time, they keep up with their learning and bond with one another. With their music, they hope to brighten up days of those whose lives are affected by the pandemic.
Among the 13 members of the ensemble, nine are from Hong Kong and four are from the mainland (two from Wuhan). Hilson Yip, the member who initiated this idea, said all members missed their classes and school life at the Academy a lot. Whilst they have been striving for the best learning at home, the ensemble decided to play Ritual Fire Dance to show their support to the community. “The piece is a Spanish work that is about how a girl gets rid of her misfortune by performing ceremonial dance. We hope that our performance will bring everyone good luck and that the pandemic will soon be over!” The ensemble spent two weeks to rehearse and film their individual part on their own. The pieces were then edited by Hilson using computer software which took him six uninterrupted hours to complete. With this work, the ensemble would like to share the fruit of their learning with everyone, as well as to thank those who have been working tirelessly to fight the virus.
Watch the video: https://bit.ly/2SIuDMJ
----------------------------------------------
About The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (www.hkapa.edu)
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), established by Government Ordinance in 1984, is a leading tertiary institution in the performing arts in Asia. It provides professional undergraduate education and practice-based postgraduate studies. The study encompasses Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Its educational philosophy reflects the cultural diversity of Hong Kong with emphasis on Chinese and western traditions, and interdisciplinary learning. In the QS World University Rankings announced in 2020, the Academy is ranked the 1st in Asia and the 7th in the world in the Performing Arts category.