HK Phil performs at MTR trains and concourses, welcomes passengers with melodies

When travelling the city by train lately, passengers may have noticed the sound of beautiful music. The MTR Corporation (MTR) has recently collaborated with The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) to launch a campaign offering enchanting melodies across stations and train compartments. 

The “Phil Your MTR Ride with Music” campaign is running until 3 April and is aimed at refreshing and enlightening passengers in the city during the pandemic. Along their journey, passengers can hear music performed by the HK Phil and the orchestra’s music director Jaap van Zweden and resident conductor Lio Kuokman when they enter concourses excluding five stations, namely Racecourse, AsiaWorld-Expo, Airport, Disneyland Resort and Sunny Bay.

A total of five popular works written by renowned classical music composers Antonín Dvořák, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Dmitri Shostakovich and Richard Wagner can be heard.

“The Corporation strives to enrich passengers’ travelling experience and we have been integrating art into our railway system through the ‘Art in MTR’ programme to promote art appreciation," said Rex Au Yeung, chairman of MTR Corporation. 

"Everyone in Hong Kong has faced unprecedented challenges over the past year. Due to the pandemic, many cultural and entertainment events have been cancelled or postponed. Through this collaboration, we hope to bring the classical music to our railway system and liven up the MTR journeys of our passengers," he added.

In addition to the music, passengers can also enjoy a visual experience on the concourse and through the in-train TVs. This music video showcases members of the HK Phil including resident conductor Lio Kuokman, concertmaster Wang Jing, piccolo player Linda Stuckey, and Steven Chan from the administration team. Featuring more than 30 musicians, the video offers an unprecedented look at an orchestra set up to perform the music of the famous composer Leonard Bernstein on a train and in a station.

Other touchpoints of the campaign include the MTR mobile app and campaign websites.

"It is our mission to share classical music in any accessible way with people in the city and beyond, not just in designated venues. In addition to a wide range of online programmes which the Orchestra has curated, we are excited about the collaboration with the MTR Corporation which makes the Orchestra a companion to every passenger during their MTR journeys," said Benedikt Fohr, chief executive of the HK Phil.

---

Related articles

MTR malls unveil blooming red packets for the Year of the Ox

MTR showcases social inclusion in latest campaign