Hong Kong Music Stories: Starting from the Library Lecture Series
Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, this six-part lecture series hosted by Dr. Cheng Hok-yan, former Chief Librarian of the Hong Kong Central Library, explores the contributions of six influential musicians through the library's archival collections. The series covers a diverse range of genres including Cantonese opera, Chinese music, and popular songs, providing insights into Hong Kong's musical history.
- When
27 Oct 2026 - 1 Dec 2026 19:30 - 21:00
- Location
Conference Room 2, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Kowloon Tsim Sha Tsui Yau Tsim Mong
10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Dr. Cheng Hok-yan · Speaker
Highlights
"Hong Kong Music Stories: Starting from the Library" is a culturally significant lecture series that delves into the preservation of local musical heritage. Since 2001, the Hong Kong Central Library has undertaken the "Collection of Hong Kong Music" initiative, gathering 25 years of precious archival materials. This series utilizes these rare manuscripts, vintage records, and documents to trace the history of music development in Hong Kong, offering a unique opportunity for audiences to engage directly with historical sources.
Program Details
The series consists of six lectures hosted by Dr. Cheng Hok-yan, former Chief Librarian of the Hong Kong Central Library and currently an Adjunct Lecturer at the Hong Kong Baptist University Academy of Music. With his extensive background in librarianship and musicology, combined with his professional experience as a Sheng player with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Dr. Cheng offers a profound analysis of six pivotal figures who shaped the local music scene.
The lectures span various genres including Cantonese opera, Chinese music, film scoring, and Cantopop. Each session focuses on a specific composer or artist, bringing their contributions to life through Dr. Cheng's expertise and special guest appearances.
Schedule Summary:
- Lecture 1: Wu Man-sum (Exploring the talents of this playwright and songwriter, Oct 27)
- Lecture 2: Chan Nang-chi (Reflecting on the career of the former Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra composer, Nov 3)
- Lecture 3: Lo Ka-chi (Discovering the legacy of this Cantonese music master, Nov 10)
- Lecture 4: Tong Leung-tak (Recapping his contributions to Chinese music education, Nov 17)
- Lecture 5: Chen Dieyi (Revisiting the world of this legendary lyricist, Nov 24)
- Lecture 6: Pong Chau-wah (Deconstructing his career in film production and Cantopop, Dec 1)
About the Speaker
Dr. Cheng Hok-yan: As the former Chief Librarian of the Hong Kong Central Library, Dr. Cheng has dedicated himself to the curation and promotion of music literature in Hong Kong. As both a professional musician and a scholar, he provides insightful and poignant perspectives on the city's musical history.
Venue & Access
The lectures will be held at Conference Room 2, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Located in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, the venue is easily accessible via public transport.
