Cover From left: Gordon Lee and Ivana Wong (Photo: courtesy of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council)
From left: Gordon Lee and Ivana Wong (Photo: courtesy of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council)
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The Hong Kong Arts Development Council celebrates its 30th anniversary this month with an opening concert, where singer-songwriter Ivana Wong and harmonicist Gordon Lee inject new elements into their music
The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) marks its 30th anniversary this month with an opening concert where singer-songwriter Ivana Wong and harmonicist Gordon Lee introduce fresh creative expressions to their repertoire.
The Canto-pop star was delighted when she received the invitation from HKADC to perform her symphonic piece at the anniversary concert, which will be held at the Cultural Centre on June 5. She first ventured into composing orchestral music during the pandemic—fulfilling a long-held artistic ambition. “I was a bit worried and scared at first, as composing a symphonic piece is very complicated, and it’s totally out of my comfort zone,” she recalls.
Wong debuted The Missing Something in 2023. For this performance, she has reworked the piece for Hong Kong harmonicist Lee, who will share the stage with her. To see this experimental composition recognised on such a prestigious platform is, to her, a meaningful milestone in her artistic journey.
Above Ivana Wong performing on stage (Image: Instagram/@wongyuenb)
Ivana Wong performing on stage (Image: Instagram/@wongyuenb)
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Wong’s participation exemplifies HKADC’s mission to support the evolving arts scene in the city. Over three decades, the council has grown “from an arts funder into a multifaceted arts organisation", says HKADC chief executive Pheon Tsang Suk-yee. She notes that the council now champions the arts through policy, planning, advocacy, promotion and grants across disciplines including literature, performing arts, visual arts, and media arts—striving to establish Hong Kong as a vibrant cultural metropolis.
The choice to feature Wong and Lee at the gala was an intentional reflection of these values. Tsang explains, “This partnership exemplifies our commitment to nurturing local talent and creativity, making it a fitting and inspiring way to launch the 30th Anniversary Gala Festival.”
Lee, who was named winner of the Young Artist Award (Music) at the Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2024, sees the performance as a culmination of years of dedication. On Wong’s side, Tsang adds: “Ivana’s participation promises a rich, interdisciplinary experience that blends music and visual art in a uniquely expressive performance. We believe this collaboration will bring out the best in both performers and the creative spirit of the event.”
Above Ivana Wong (Image: Instagram/@wongyuenb)
Ivana Wong (Image: Instagram/@wongyuenb)
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The concert itself is a showcase of innovation. Wong notes that The Missing Something will differ slightly from the original 2023 version, offering what she describes as “a fun roundup for the exciting journey [of writing this symphonic piece]”. She is eager to hear Lee’s interpretation, which features “fun and extended techniques” and “some improvisation on the piece that I wrote”. Her goal is to encourage her fans to “pick up some classical music along the way”, affirming her belief that “music is a boundaryless world”.
Lee will also perform Michael Spivakovsky’s Harmonica Concerto (1951), one of the first large-scale orchestral works composed for harmonica. Though he has played the piece internationally, performing it in Hong Kong offers a refreshed interpretation for a home audience.
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Known for his innovation, Lee integrates techniques from the traditional Chinese sheng—an ancient reed instrument he also plays—into his harmonica performances. “The modern harmonica’s reed system originates from the sheng,” he notes. His rendition includes advanced methods such as flutter tonguing on inhale—more commonly seen in sheng than harmonica—which adds nuance to his reimagining of ’s work.
Lee believes that this fusion of forms is “meaningful to showcase a blend of Chinese heritage and global artistry—to celebrate our culture and share it with the world”. His commitment to the craft extends to designing his own harmonicas.
Both artists share an optimistic view of Hong Kong’s music industry. Wong notes a surge in energy and activity: “More and more live shows and concerts are happening, and the audience is blessed with an abundance of options.” She sees music as “a conversation between the performers and the audience” and highlights a “colourful scene with a lot of happenings, not just in music, but also in the art world”.
Above Gordon Lee (Image: Instagram/@gordonleeharmonica)
Gordon Lee (Image: Instagram/@gordonleeharmonica)
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Lee echoes her enthusiasm, expressing a vision to “promote Hong Kong artists internationally and encourage young people to be brave and creative”. He emphasises the importance of cross-industry collaboration to “protect intellectual property and develop new ideas”.
Looking ahead, HKADC remains steadfast in its mission. “It is always our goal to foster a thriving arts environment and enhance the quality of life of the public,” says Tsang, “with the hope of establishing Hong Kong as a dynamic and diverse cultural metropolis.”
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Zabrina is the Senior Editor, Arts and Culture of Tatler Hong Kong. She specialises in performing arts, visual art and film. Her wanderlust was first fuelled by the Mighty Rovers Antarctica Expedition 2010. Over the years, she has interviewed A-list artists and filmmakers, including Oscar winners Chlóe Zhao and Tim Yip, Golden Horse winner Sylvia Chang, In the Mood for Love cinematographer Christopher Doyle, Pachinko author Min Jin Lee, and Coachella’s first Chinese solo singer Jackson Wang. She won gold at the WAN-IFRA Asian Media Awards for her 2021 feature on the waves of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
