Hong Kong City Chamber Orchestra 30 Nov/1 Dec 2013

[Richard]

Thanks for the link, Sing!

As you can see, I've displayed the photograph in your post. It was taken after this afternoon's concert.

Richard

[Tin]

Dec 1, 2013 14:16:54 GMT comet said:

Congratulations Tin,
It would seem from your photos that you were within about 3 to 4 metres of Hayley during this concert, well done,
there is something very special about being that close to a performer during a concert. I have been that lucky on a few occasions.
You must have been quite mesmerised and enchanted by the whole experience. You will be on quite a high for the next few days. (Cloud 9)
I am delighted to see that Hayley's fans in Hong Kong are so much younger than the "One foot in the graver's" like myself and many of her fans here in the UK and Ireland.
Thanks for the photos and for keeping us informed of Hayley's progress in Hong Kong.

Hi comet,

I have been extremely fortunate. Members of HWI constantly upload nice photos/videos of Hayley, for which I've always been grateful, but being able to see her with my own eyes - and from such a close distance - was a completely different experience. Hayley has always looked gorgeous in photos, but her elegance and air should best be witnessed with one's own eyes. It wouldn't be an overstatement to say she looked like a fairy on stage.

Tin

[Bamafan]

Here's another (slightly fuzzy) photo of the concert from Facebook, posted by Kevin Lo.



-Taylor i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

[grant]

Hi Tin and Jon

Many thanks for the pictures and reports from Hayley's concerts in Hong Kong - sounds like you all had a great time. I certainly agree that seeing Hayley perform live for the first time is a very special experience. My first time was over 8 years ago now and I still get a buzz when I recall watching her come onto stage that very first night.

The set list you saw taped to the floor acts as a reminder to Hayley which order she is singing the songs and ensures that she and the musicians work together, although I have known Hayley change the order i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif Also, there is usually a selection of songs chosen for encores but that does not gaurantee that Hayley will sing them all. It often depends upon audience reaction - to get three or more encores usually means that the audience is being very vocal in their appreciation. After the first encore, Hayley usually comes back on stage and asks "Do you want another one?" I can't imagine anyone here saying "No"

Best wishes
Grant

[Dave]

Hi John, Benny and Raymond, thanks for your reports and it's good to see that you made it to the concerts and enjoyed them!

Hi Tin, glad you went to them too and thanks again for your photos, I've again taken the liberty of adding a couple more of them to our main website page on Hayley's Hong Kong trip. I hope that's OK?

And of course, our thanks once again to Hayley Westenra Fans in Taiwan for photos reports and video, whose Facebook pages we are lucky to be able to rely on when Hayley is in the Far East.

Cheers, Dave

[Tin]

Dec 2, 2013 1:45:31 GMT Dave said:

Hi Tin, glad you went to them too and thanks again for your photos, I've again taken the liberty of adding a couple more of them to our main website page on Hayley's Hong Kong trip. I hope that's OK?

It's my pleasure!

[Tin]

Dec 1, 2013 18:12:36 GMT grant said:

The set list you saw taped to the floor acts as a reminder to Hayley which order she is singing the songs and ensures that she and the musicians work together, although I have known Hayley change the order...

Thanks Grant for pointing that out!

Are you sure you weren't there yesterday? That was exactly what Hayley asked during the encore: "Are you sure you want another one?" I couldn't imagine anyone would say no

[Sing]

Dec 1, 2013 14:49:04 GMT Richard said:

Thanks for the link, Sing!

As you can see, I've displayed the photograph in your post. It was taken after this afternoon's concert.

Richard

Thanks Richard

[Richard]

Two more photographs from the Hayley Westenra Fans in Taiwan Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.686362878040685.1073741876.305285986148378&type=1





Click on the images for enlargements. I think they were both taken during the Saturday evening concert.

Richard

[Richard]

Two superb photos from the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong's Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/ccohk

Hayley Westenra sings "White Christmas" at Elements with a mixed local children's choir auditioned especially for the occasion. The children were so thrilled to sing on stage with Hayley!

Click on the images for big enlargements.

Richard

[Richard]

Thanks to Hayley Cheung for this audio recording of Hayley singing "The Moon Represents My Heart" live in Hong Kong:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2QYf7Dlr6E

I'm not sure which concert this is from.

Edit: Hayley Cheung has removed "December" from the video's title, so it was probably recorded on 30th November 2013.

Richard

[martindn]

The South China Morning Post has a rather mixed review of Hayleys concert on 30th November.

www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1371122/review-hayley-westenra-concert

Martin D

[martindn]

Here it is in full.

Hayley Westenra

City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong

HK City Hall Concert Hall

Reviewed: November 30



Hayley Westenra had her first break at the age of 14, and it was a big one. Signed by Decca Records for her crystalline soprano tones and girl-next-door personality, the teenager's first disc, Pure, marketed the sort of sound that everyone and their grandma could nuzzle up to, becoming the fastest selling debut album in the history of the British classical charts.

The combination of a charming persona, voice, and songs that were undemanding on the listener launched a career that has since netted sales of over four million albums. One also learned from the programme notes that the New Zealander is a favourite of the British royal family, having performed for the queen no fewer than four times.

Now 26, Westenra was giving her first Hong Kong performance, with backing from the Hong Kong Treble Choir, the Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir and the City Chamber Orchestra. A lot should have happened in those intervening 12 years, but one was repeatedly brought back to the vexing thought that not much had.

The performance started 15 minutes late, with last-minute sound checks greeting the audience. Each of the 22 items melted into one another with limited contrast in either content or delivery, although some deft orchestral arrangements showcased several neat solos from concertmaster Gilbert Sak. Guest conductor Colin Touchin kept the ball rolling between items and the ensemble tight.

Westenra was over-amplified much of the time, at least from the front stalls, where the choirs' contribution looked wonderful but was largely inaudible. Her spoken links between songs were disjointed and self-conscious; her body language was unimaginative and facial expressions repetitive.

While the hallmark purity of Westenra's voice never faltered, the packaging was monochrome. Singing louder and softer doesn't count as great artistry and, as if to prove the point, the one moment in the evening when everyone pricked up their ears was during her rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, which was a gem of a performance, as opposed to pleasant note-spinning.

The difference between the two separates the stars from the superstars. Hopefully, she'll bridge that gap before the next 12 years have elapsed.

Sam Olluver

[Simba]

Being unbiased towards Hayley, I must say that's a good review on some parts. I always thought Hayley's spoken bits inbetween songs were amateurish and childish.(from what I know so far) But I loved that, because I like her innocence and those cute giggles. I'm sure a lot of us do, but not very professional.
Body language unimaginative, I understand where their getting, Hayley's more of the singer than the performer, but she's getting there, those little dance bits that she do for summer fly and stuff were really cool, not that she should dance for every song, but I hope you get what I mean when I say 'perform'.
Facial expressions repetitive, not sure about that, I don't see why people should control facial expressions, it should be a natural thing.

And I understand how Somewhere Over the Rainbow would have sent shivers down the spine. And I can't say anything wrong about the set list. It was wonderful.
It's a shame that the choir was inaudible, but I'd leave it to someone who attended the concert to say what they felt on that.

And My goodness, thanks martin for sharing, That was the best performance of The Moon Represents my Heart! Loved the drums portion that started at the vocalese. Literally had goosebumps. It's on repeat now XD

[Martin]

Dec 2, 2013 19:30:48 GMT Simba said:

Being unbiased towards Hayley, I must say that's a good review on some parts. I always thought Hayley's spoken bits inbetween songs were amateurish and childish.

Simba
Having seen Hayley live on numerous occasions, the terms "amateurish" and " childish" to describe her banter with the audience are unfair and untrue. Hayley has always displayed a degree of shyness when talking to an audience but that is the way she is and I love her for it. At least she is sincere which many artists who may appear to be very confident in this matter are not.

Let's leave further discussion on this matter positive and please avoid conjecture.

Martin (without his moderator hat on )