Blab Music
LCSD Launches Hong Kong Music Stories Lecture Series at Libraries
On Tuesday evenings from October to December, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s Administration Building, Level 4, Auditorium 2 (AC2) will host a six‑part lecture series that promises to bring the city’s musical heritage to life. The Hong Kong Music Stories Series – All to start from the Libraries will run from 27 October to 1 December 2026, with each session beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are priced at HK$80 per lecture and can be purchased through URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). Seating is free, but advance booking is advised. For those preferring to reserve by phone, call 3166 1288. If you’re looking for discounts or further programme details, dial 2268 7321 or visit the LCSD website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1996.html.
The opening lecture, on 27 October, will delve into the life and work of composer‑librettist Woo Man‑sum (1910‑1963). Guest speaker Wong Chi‑wah will chart Woo’s influence on Cantonese opera and film music, unveiling archival material that spans from solemn operatic scores to playful popular tunes.
On 3 November, the series turns to Indonesian‑Chinese composer Chen Ning‑chi (1940‑2025). A graduate of the Central Conservatory of Music, Chen relocated to Hong Kong in 1973 and served as Assistant Music Director and Composer‑in‑Residence of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO). The lecture will survey his catalogue of over 500 compositions, many now housed in the Hong Kong Central Library (HKCL) collection.
The 10 November session spotlights Cantonese music master Loo Kah‑chi (1917‑1996). Loo’s post‑war career in Hong Kong encompassed vocal accompaniment, film scoring, radio broadcasting, and concert performance. He led the Radio Television Hong Kong Cantonese Music Ensemble and the Lung Cheung Opera Troupe for three decades, and numerous autograph manuscripts survive in HKCL.
On 17 November, erhu virtuoso Tong Leung‑tak (1938‑2010) will take center stage. Tong first gained prominence in Shanghai with the Tong Family Ensemble, later became Concertmaster of the HKCO, and taught erhu at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. The talk will highlight his lasting impact on Chinese music education in Hong Kong.
The 24 November lecture will focus on lyricist Chen Dieyi (1908‑2007). After moving to Hong Kong in 1952, Chen wrote screenplays and songs—including classics such as “Evening Bells at Nanping” and “Lover’s Tears.” He received the CASH Hall of Fame Award in 1996, and his works were bequeathed to HKCL following his death.
The final lecture, on 1 December, will explore the career of composer, lyricist and screenwriter Pong Chow‑wah (1928‑1991). Pong wrote for more than 30 films and later contributed Cantonese lyrics to Japanese television drama themes. His 1960s hit “Love Is Like a Dream” remains a Cantopop standard. The speaker will also share archival stories related to Pong’s musical legacy.
Dr Chang, who began his career as a sheng musician with the HKCO after university, later joined the public library service under the former Urban Council and retired as Chief Librarian of HKCL. He now lectures part‑time at the Academy of Music of Hong Kong Baptist University.
The series is designed to preserve and disseminate Hong Kong’s musical heritage through scholarly talks and archival material. Interested listeners can book tickets via URBTIX or by phone, and may contact LCSD for discount schemes. The programme will run for six consecutive Tuesdays, concluding on 1 December 2026.
Tickets are priced at HK$80 per lecture and can be purchased through URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). Seating is free, but advance booking is advised. For those preferring to reserve by phone, call 3166 1288. If you’re looking for discounts or further programme details, dial 2268 7321 or visit the LCSD website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1996.html.
The opening lecture, on 27 October, will delve into the life and work of composer‑librettist Woo Man‑sum (1910‑1963). Guest speaker Wong Chi‑wah will chart Woo’s influence on Cantonese opera and film music, unveiling archival material that spans from solemn operatic scores to playful popular tunes.
On 3 November, the series turns to Indonesian‑Chinese composer Chen Ning‑chi (1940‑2025). A graduate of the Central Conservatory of Music, Chen relocated to Hong Kong in 1973 and served as Assistant Music Director and Composer‑in‑Residence of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO). The lecture will survey his catalogue of over 500 compositions, many now housed in the Hong Kong Central Library (HKCL) collection.
The 10 November session spotlights Cantonese music master Loo Kah‑chi (1917‑1996). Loo’s post‑war career in Hong Kong encompassed vocal accompaniment, film scoring, radio broadcasting, and concert performance. He led the Radio Television Hong Kong Cantonese Music Ensemble and the Lung Cheung Opera Troupe for three decades, and numerous autograph manuscripts survive in HKCL.
On 17 November, erhu virtuoso Tong Leung‑tak (1938‑2010) will take center stage. Tong first gained prominence in Shanghai with the Tong Family Ensemble, later became Concertmaster of the HKCO, and taught erhu at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. The talk will highlight his lasting impact on Chinese music education in Hong Kong.
The 24 November lecture will focus on lyricist Chen Dieyi (1908‑2007). After moving to Hong Kong in 1952, Chen wrote screenplays and songs—including classics such as “Evening Bells at Nanping” and “Lover’s Tears.” He received the CASH Hall of Fame Award in 1996, and his works were bequeathed to HKCL following his death.
The final lecture, on 1 December, will explore the career of composer, lyricist and screenwriter Pong Chow‑wah (1928‑1991). Pong wrote for more than 30 films and later contributed Cantonese lyrics to Japanese television drama themes. His 1960s hit “Love Is Like a Dream” remains a Cantopop standard. The speaker will also share archival stories related to Pong’s musical legacy.
Dr Chang, who began his career as a sheng musician with the HKCO after university, later joined the public library service under the former Urban Council and retired as Chief Librarian of HKCL. He now lectures part‑time at the Academy of Music of Hong Kong Baptist University.
The series is designed to preserve and disseminate Hong Kong’s musical heritage through scholarly talks and archival material. Interested listeners can book tickets via URBTIX or by phone, and may contact LCSD for discount schemes. The programme will run for six consecutive Tuesdays, concluding on 1 December 2026.
