The HK Phil will be joined by Hong Kong-born conductor Elim Chan, currently Assistant Conductor of the LSO, for a night of exciting music. The regal spirit and sheer poetry of the Emperor Concerto is captured by powerhouse pianist Stephen Hough (“It’s hard not to be a little awestruck by the breadth of [his] passions, to say nothing of his talents.” Boston Globe). Rachmaninov’s last orchestral work—and for many Rachmaninov fans his greatest —encompasses driving rhythms, a slow, seductive waltz, and evocations of Russian Orthodox chants and the composer’s signature dies irae. To open the concert, Czechoslovakia’s beautiful Moldau River courses through Smetana’s sparkling score. SMETANA　Má vlast: The Moldau BEETHOVEN　Piano Concerto no. 5, Emperor RACHMANINOV　Symphonic Dances Elim Chan, conductor Stephen Hough, piano