Elise Liu Leads 'The Voice Within' Percussion Concert in Hong Kong This September

LCSD's "Hong Kong Artists" Series to present percussion recital by Elise Liu and friends in September

The "Hong Kong Artists" Series 2026, presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will launch in September. The opening performance will be led by local percussionist Elise Liu. Centred on the theme "The Voice Within", Liu will join forces with four closely knit musical friends to curate a musical journey spanning intimate contemplation to outward expression. The concert will seamlessly blend a diverse array of percussion instruments and rich musical styles with multimedia, literary and vocal elements.

For this performance, Liu has specially invited three local percussion talents, Karen Yu, Samuel Chan and Eugene Kwong, alongside soprano Rachel Kwok, to perform a variety of distinct contemporary works. Over 20 percussion instruments, including the marimba, vibraphone and crotales, will be utilised on stage. Through the collision and resonance of different instrumental materials, the performance will reveal unique sound textures, promising an all-encompassing percussion experience for the audience.

The first half of the recital is a poetic, introspective dialogue. The opening piece, Curlee's "The Ending of Things from a Distance", weaves together marimba and electronic parts to delicately capture the passing of time and the elusiveness of the end. This is followed by Takemitsu's "Rain Tree" for percussion trio, which exudes a Zen-like spirituality, utilising metal percussion instruments to depict an ethereal yet visceral sound world akin to the fluidity of water. Cerrone's "Goldbeater's Skin" is brilliantly performed by a percussion quartet and soprano. The poetic passages within the work are separated by percussion interludes of a single material (wood, metal or skin), creating a soundscape where dreamlike vocals intertwine with tactile rhythms.

The second half shifts towards the external world, responding to the relentless rhythm of contemporary life. Jodlowski's multimedia work "Time & Money" cleverly integrates percussion, video and electronics, using a progressively accelerating rhythm to mirror the anxiety and oppression of modern society. Following this, Honstein's marimba solo "Hymning" takes the stage, dissolving the restless atmosphere with its peaceful and serene harmonies, guiding the audience to rediscover their steps forward in tranquility. The performance will culminate in a perfect conclusion with Laurello's "Spine" for percussion quartet, amidst the rhythmic and powerful layering of percussion textures.

Liu graduated from the Eastman School of Music and the Haute École de Musique Lausanne, Switzerland, where she received a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music in Percussion Performance. She was named "Young Musician of the Year" at the 70th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales, and was honoured with first prizes at the Australian Marimba Competition and the Italy Percussion Competition. An experienced performer, Liu has collaborated with world-renowned composer Tan Dun, the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. In recent years, she curated and presented the radio series "Striking Sounds - The Visceral Power of Percussion" on RTHK Radio 4, and currently lectures on music history at Hong Kong Baptist University.

The "Hong Kong Artists" Series 2026: Percussion Recital by Elise Liu and Friends will be staged at 8pm on September 13 (Sunday) at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $220 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Other recitals to be held from September to November include the Saxophone Recital by Charles Ng on October 8, the Piano Recital by John Lee on October 27 and the Dizi Recital by Candy Yau Kwan-lam on November 9. Package discounts and Group Booking discounts are also available. For discount schemes and programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1986.html.

The "Hong Kong Artists" Series of the LCSD aims to provide a platform for local artists to showcase their remarkable talent. In addition to the above-mentioned recitals, this year it will present two dance programmes. Related programme details and booking schedules will be announced in due course. For more information about the "Hong Kong Artists" Series 2026, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1985.html.

LCSD's "Hong Kong Artists" Series to present percussion recital by Elise Liu and friends in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LCSD's "Hong Kong Artists" Series to present percussion recital by Elise Liu and friends in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LCSD's "Hong Kong Artists" Series to present percussion recital by Elise Liu and friends in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LCSD's "Hong Kong Artists" Series to present percussion recital by Elise Liu and friends in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LCSD's "Hong Kong Artists" Series to present percussion recital by Elise Liu and friends in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LD reminds employers and employees to take heat stroke preventive measures in times of Heat Stress at Work Warning

As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.

Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.

The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.

A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees' risk of heat stroke.

Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.

The LD issued the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work", detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers' and employees' reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department's thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm.

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