《口琴！再進化！》大師音樂會

​"The Evolving Harmonica" Master Concert

《口琴！再進化！》大師音樂會邀請世界上幾位最著名的口琴演奏家參與演出。音樂會結合多媒體製作，從香港口琴界的角度展示口琴藝術源起至今的演變。演出曲目涵蓋廣泛的音樂流派，包括著名的古典音樂、熱情洋溢的民間音樂、充滿活力的現代口琴合奏音樂及自由的電子爵士樂。

​“The Evolving Harmonica" is a concert presenting some of the most prominent harmonicists in the world. Combined with a multi-media storytelling production, the concert showcases the evolution of the art of harmonica from the perspective of the Hong Kong harmonica music making community. The program covers a wide range of music genres, ranging from well known classical music, vibrant folk music, energetic modern harmonica ensemble music to spontaneous electronic jazz music.

第一屆香港國際半音階口琴大賽

1st Hong Kong International Chromatic Harmonica Competition

全球首個國際性半音階口琴大賽  20多位本地及全球高手同場較勁

現已公開售票

由香港口琴協會創辦、獲政府「藝能發展資助計劃」支持的「第一屆香港國際半音階口琴大賽」，為全球首個國際性純半音階口琴比賽，來自本港及世界各地好手同場較勁，於4月3日(周一)至9日(周日)假香港大會堂展開精彩賽事。協會希望通過為期7天的音樂盛會，提升本港樂手的水平，以及舉辦一系列的工作坊及展覽等公眾活動，讓大眾更深入認識半音階口琴。比賽供公眾人士入場欣賞，門票由3月3日經城市售票網公開發售。

口琴精緻小巧，是坊間常見樂器之一，但口琴其實可作為一種專業的演奏樂器。在吹奏小小簧片時，會幻化成多變律動的琴音，配合演奏者豐富的情感，扣人心弦。半音階口琴是常見口琴類別之一，音階完整，音色優美，其中最大特色是透過吹嘴旁的按鈕滑條切換升降半音。

大賽旨在發掘口琴界的明日之星，通過比賽展現他們精湛的口琴技藝。一眾本港及全球各地的世界級口琴選手，經過初賽多重嚴格的選拔後，20多位參賽者脫穎而出，進軍4月4日(周二)及5日(周三)的半準決賽，選出8強爭取準決賽席位。他們經過激烈比拼後，最後4強將會晉身4月9日(周日)的決賽，屆時選手將在國際知名指揮家Robert Reimer 凱默的指揮、香港城市室內樂團伴奏下，盡展他們的音樂才華，為觀眾帶來前所未有的視聽之娛。這亦是口琴史上首個由專業樂團伴奏的比賽，參照蕭邦國際鋼琴比賽、柴可夫斯基國際音樂比賽等全球頂尖大賽的規格，為口琴比賽發展在國際舞台開啟重要里程碑。

除了緊張刺激的賽事，大會同時舉辦一系列公眾活動，既讓演奏大師、專家與新晉表演者互相激盪，創造跨文化學術交流，亦可讓市民增潤對這款樂器的認識，提升口琴的鑑賞能力。

Over 20 High Calibre Contestants Competing in the ​1st Hong Kong International Chromatic Harmonica Competition
Tickets Now Available at URBTIX

Organised by the Hong Kong Harmonica Association and supported by the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the 1st Hong Kong International Chromatic Harmonica Competition will be held from 3 April (Mon) to 9 April (Sun) at Hong Kong City Hall. With a variety of fringe activities and innovative components, including workshops, forum and exhibition, the vibrant, world-class 7-day event promotes global exchanges and local awareness of harmonica culture. The competitions welcome admissions from the members of the public. Tickets for the Final Competition will be available at URBTIX starting from 3 March, 2023.

Harmonica is one of the most popular and portable musical instruments in the world, which can be used as a professional performance instrument. When the little reeds are played, they transform into a variety of rhythmic sounds matching the richness of the player's emotions. The chromatic harmonica is one of the most common types of harmonica, with a complete scale and beautiful tone colour. The most distinctive feature of it is the slider next to the mouthpiece that allows the player to switch between the rising and falling chromatic notes.

The competition aims to identify the new generation of emerging talents in harmonica to showcase their exquisite skills. Over 20 high calibre contestants were shortlisted for the quarter-final to be held on 4-5 April (Tue & Wed) after the preliminary stage. Eight contestants will be shortlisted for the Semi-final on 7 April (Fri), and eventually 4 contestants will be selected for the Final on 9 April (Sun). The finalists will perform and showcase their musical talents with the accompaniment by City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong under the baton of the internationally acclaimed conductor Robert Reimer, bringing an unprecedented audiovisual enjoyment to the audience. This is also the first competition in the history of harmonica to be accompanied by a professional orchestra. Benchmarked with top competitions, such as the International Chopin Piano Competition and The International Tchaikovsky Competition, the competition marks a milestone in the development of harmonica competition in the international arena.

Apart from the exciting competition, a variety of fringe activities and innovative components, including workshops, forum and exhibition, will be organised, allowing  emerging talents and high-calibre contestants to connect with masters and professionals from around the world. The activities will amplify the multicultural dialogues, strengthen the public awareness towards the fundamental concepts of harmonica and their appreciation of the instrument.