33ʳᵈ Macao Arts Festival

The Ocean

DKS Shanghai

26/5
11:00 (For babies aged 3 to 24 months)
15:00 (For children aged 2 to 6 years old)

27/5
11:00 (For babies aged 3 to 24 months)
15:00 (For children aged 2 to 6 years old)

28/5
11:00, 15:00 (For children aged 2 to 6 years old)

Macao Contemporary Art Center - Navy Yard No. 2

Duration: Approximately 45 minutes, no interval

Programme

The Ocean is an immersive music performance for infants and children. The music director Dominic Harlan selected and rearranged some sections from a number of classical pieces, including those by Bach, Mozart and Tchaikovsky to score for this performance. He has even composed new music for this performance to present the lively and playful side of the little dolphin. With the live performance featuring double bass and clarinet, and life-like ocean creatures made of recyclable materials, the little audience can feel the beauty of the ocean amid classical music and listen to the sounds of the ocean.

The journey to explore the deep ocean is about to start! Are you ready?

Scene I  Mom, the wave is coming, have we sunk deep into the ocean?
Scene II  Melodies by Bach played in the ocean world!
Scene III  A scene of Friends down in the ocean!
Scene IV  Notes are leading us through the time tunnel!
Scene V  Are you alright, little dolphin?

Music

J. S. Bach / Arr. D. Harlan: Excerpts from Minuet in G Major, Nos. 1 and 2
H. Sutermeister / Arr. D. Harlan: Excerpts from Capriccio in A Major for Solo Clarinet
P. I. Tchcikovsky / Arr. D. Harlan: Excerpts from “June: Barcarolle” from The Seasons
C. Saint-Saëns / Arr. D. Harlan: Excerpts from “Tortoises” from Carnival of The Animals
C. Saint-Saëns / Arr. D. Harlan: Excerpts from “Aquarium” from Carnival of The Animals
D. Harlan: Dolphine wakes up
A. Corelli / Arr. D. Harlan: Excerpts from Violin Sonata in D Minor, op. 5, no. 12 “La Folia”
W. A. Mozart / Arr. D. Harlan: Larghetto from Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K. 581
G. Bizet / Arr. D. Harlan: Chanson du toreador from Carmen Suite No.2

Director’s Notes

Following the first baby opera Aria in the Egg Shell in Mainland China, DKS Shanghai has once again partnered with the British pianist and composer Dominic Harlan to produce a classical family concert The Ocean. Drawing on the concept of “recycled orchestra” that are prevalent across Europe and the United States, the production team made the stage sets and props with recycled waste, thus actively advocating and promoting the eco-friendly philosophy of “No plastic in nature starting from music”.

Music enlightenment is by no means merely about enjoying and playing, nor educating children on something, but about creating opportunities for them to explore their inner resonance through emotional experience evoked by music. After all, children will need to face setbacks and difficulties when growing up, and the power of music can keep them company when they feel down and perplexed, accompany and foster their growth.

While indulging the audience in an enjoyable family time through music, DKS Shanghai also hopes to draw their attention to the ecology of the ocean and encourage the public to contribute their part to the protection of our ocean, which was also the entire crew’s original intention and hope while creating this production.

Music can sow a wonderful seed in the hearts of children, which we believe is also the gift that each and every parent wishes most to give to their kids.

By Kate Chen

Biographical Notes

Kate Chen, Director

Graduated from the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf with a Master’s degree in psychological linguistics, Chen is now studying for a Master’s degree in musicology at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. She is adept at communicating with children through artistic expressions such as painting, music and dancing. She has participated in psychological workshops about expression through music and has partnered with European artists to produce a series of performances about music enlightenment for young children, which include Aria in the Egg Shell, The Ocean and Little Crotchet Sonata.

Dominic Harlan, Music Director and Arranger

Harlan is a pianist, composer, actor and educator. Through his performances, workshops, school music projects, compositions and concerts, he has introduced countless people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to the worlds of theatre and music. Harlan studied piano at the Royal Academy of Music and went on to perform throughout the UK, Europe, Japan, India and North America with singers and instrumentalists since graduation. He has also given live broadcasts for BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM, and recorded several discs. As a composer, he has devised original music theatre in collaboration with vocal groups.

DKS Shanghai

DKS Shanghai is committed to introducing classical music education methods from Europe to China, making classical art accessible to everyone and fostering both mental and physical growth of children through artistic experience.

 

Disclaimer
The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government provides liaison and technical support to the project only. Any views/opinions expressed by the project team are those of the project only and do not reflect the views of the Cultural Affairs Bureau.