“I do not look at myself as an Asian as much as I regard myself as a musician.”
Brought up in a rather feudalistic family, the 52–year-old says he learnt from a young age humanity through Confucius and the beauty of simplicity, universality and eternity through Taoism.
He tries to inject these elements into his music.
The music of Vivaldi and Bach, Hayden and Beethoven, Saint Saens and Verdi, Stravinsky and Bartok are full of human values, he says.
“Their music is full of compassion, passion for humanity, nature and the goodness of mankind.”
He is returning to HCMC for a second time after the success of his first concert last March, which he calls one of the most memorable of his career.
“I had to help some choir members sing in German and English within just a few weeks.
“Some of them had never sung in a foreign language before. “The impact of the concert on young musicians was quite impressive,” he recalls.
Last week a young student at South Saigon International School who played in Leung’s concert, begged her principal and his agent for permission to join next week’s concert.
She told her principal she had thought playing the notes on the page was good enough. But the last concert taught her she has to play from her heart.
For Leung, such an impact on a young musician is a very positive result.
Leung stresses that his aim is to recreate this time the same environment for all music lovers who are willing to work together for another meaningful community activity.
Next week’s concert is meant for charity and is sponsored by the Korean Business Association.
The enjoyment he perceived among the Vietnamese audiences is another reason for his return.
“The level of Vietnamese audiences is as high as any around the world.
“When there is good music, they deeply enjoy it and show their appreciation the same way as anyone else,” he says.
Global Echoes Christmas Concert
The concert will be held at the White Palace Convention Center, the HCMC Conservatory of Music and the South Saigon International School respectively on December 4, 5 and 6.
The Korean Business Association will be supported by the international community and the Canadian and Vietnamese governments.
It will feature 55 international choir singers and orchestra members from Canada, Korea and Vietnam.
Soloists from Australia, Korea and Vietnam will also perform Christmas music from around the world.
A part of the concert’s proceeds will go toward the HCMC Conservatory of Music, the Hospitality School of HCMC and the HCMC University of Industry.
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SIMON LEUNG’S BIO
■ Simon Leung was born in Hong Kong, and moved to Victoria via Ottawa, Canada, at the age of 17.
■ He enrolled at the Victoria Conservatory of Music and studied vocal, classical guitar, and choral conducting.
■ From 1977 to 1984 he studied at the University of Victoria's Music School and continued studying voice, choral conducting and orchestral conducting.
■ After he left university, he continued to learn conducting from Dr. Paul Freeman, music director and conductor of the Victoria Symphony Orchestra.
■ He became a lecturer and assistant conductor of the Victoria Choral Society.
■ He joined the Hampton Junior Orchestra as principal conductor, as well as the Hampton Orchestra and the Saanich Peninsula Orchestra.
■ From 1987 to 1996 he was principal conductor of the Sooke Community Choir.
■ He is also principal conductor of the West Coast Chamber Orchestra and holds voice workshops for choir members, coaches voice students and lectures on music appreciation.
■ Leung is planning a choral concert tour of Beijing, Guangdong, and Hong Kong next year. |
Reported by Vinh Bao |
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