The Works：Tribute to Jao Tsung-i, Lok Ga-chung's handprinted stamps & cellist Alexander Kniazev

It’s St Valentine’s Day, and later in the programme we’ll be featuring a Russian cellist Alexander Kniazev who on Sunday performed a recital with pianist Colleen Lee that featured music with a decidedly Romantic twist, from composers Brahms, Shostakovich and Franck.
First though, and on a sadder note, distinguished scholar Jao Tsung-i died last Tuesday at the age of 100. Born in Guangdong, Jao was known for his erudition in Chinese culture, particularly its ancient history, oracle bone inscriptions and Chu Ci – an anthology of Chinese poetry also known as “Poetry of the South”. He and Ji Xianlin, who died in 2009, have long been considered considered China’s two greatest sinologists. Throughout his life, Jao produced around a thousand scholarly articles, over a hundred books, calligraphy and paintings. He also composed for the guqin. Since coming to Hong Kong in 1949, he taught at the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University, and other international tertiary institutions. His last major public appearance was at an exhibition in Beijing that featured 126 of his lotus flower paintings, a symbol of his feelings for Hong Kong.
Stamp lover Lok Ka-chung doesn’t just collect stamps. He also likes to paint on the envelopes to which they are stuck. Over the years, he’s painted more than 10,000 such images. His subjects range from the historic to the contemporary, and include major events, architecture, and scenes from everyday Hong Kong life.
In 1999, cellist and organist Alexander Kniazev was named best musician of the year in Russia. That’s just one of many musical plaudits he’s received. He’s also won prizes at numerous international music competitions including the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and the Cassado Competition in Florence. Other than performing as a soloist with world renowned conductors and in prestigious halls, he also performs with smaller ensembles. At Sha Tin last Sunday, in keeping with Valentine’s Day week, he gave a one-night recital of romantic music by Brahms, Shostakovich and Franck with pianist Colleen Lee.