Alfred Hok-Yeung Wong
Hong Kong

“Passion” was composed in 2020 for the 32 Bright Clouds project and will receive its World Premiere on Dec. 16th, 2020. It is connected to Beethoven’s Sonata no. 23 in f minor, Op. 57 “Appassionata”.

The piece is dedicated to the people of Hong Kong, "a Blessed Land", with the hope for a peaceful and blessed future for all

Alfred Wong is one of the foremost composers of his generation in Hong Kong. His catalogue includes more than a hundred items, with musical works and arrangements for large orchestras, choirs, and chamber ensembles. His music has been performed worldwide, including the USA, UK, Sweden, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Taiwan, and Macao. 

His compositions have been appeared in many international music events, such as International Society for Contemporary Music Festival held in Sweden, Waterlooville Music Festival in the UK, Colorado Music Festival in the U.S., Beijing Modern Music Festival, China ASEAN Music Festival, Macau International Music Festival and Singapore International Band Festival.

His accolades include the ‘2014 CASH Golden Sail Music Awards’ - Best Serious Composition; a Bronze award in the ‘Xinyi Cup’ assessment of works for Chinese orchestra by young composers, jointly presented by the Art Department of the Ministry of Culture of China and the China Nationalities Orchestra Society.

Some of his works have been recorded by PARMA (U.S.) Recordings, Hugo Productions (HK) Limited and Modern Audio Limited, etc.

With an oeuvre of over a hundred of Chinese instrumental works as well as other different genres of compositions, his notable works include The Eight Immortals' Adventures series for musical theatre, commissioned by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, 1894 Hong Kong Plague – a Musical, produced by Hong Kong Repertory Theatre as well as Dream of the Red Chamber Capriccio, collaborated with cellist Trey Lee together with Detroit Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Leonard Slatkin.

Additionally, Wong was invited to conduct orchestras, wind bands and ensembles in Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Malaysia.

He received his bachelor and master degrees from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, studied composition with Prof. Chan Wing-wah, he is currently a guest lecturer at The Education University of Hong Kong, as well as teaching courses at the School of Professional and Continuing Education of the University of Hong Kong, etc. 

Alfred Wong’s music is currently mananged by OPUS forte. www.alfredwongmusic.com.

Composer’s Note:

“Passion” is conceived as an "emotional extension" to Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op.57 "Appassionata". The new piece is also thematically related to the sonata. It is emotionally waved, with a series of continuous discords and repetitive blocks superimposing each other. Although the longing for peace is very strong under such an exhaustively restless state of mind, it does not find relief until the very end of the work, when the "peace motif” from Beethoven's Missa Solemnis finally arrives.

As inscribed by Beethoven in the score of the Missa Solemnis, "A Call for Inward and Outward Peace" is an ultimate global aspiration, which includes all of the challenges and adversaries we are encountering. Hong Kong is often perceived as "A Blessed Land", and “Passion” is dedicated to the people of Hong Kong, with the hope for a peaceful and blessed future.