The 2nd Hong Kong Early Music Festival features a rich diversity of musical genres, including the music video “Life Is a Dream”, directed by Amsterdam-based writer and filmmaker Daan Vree.

 

Filmed at the beautiful Loenersloot Castle in the Dutch province of Utrecht, the story sees the world through a child's eyes. Yuna, an 8-year-old girl, waits for her pianist mother, Kaoru, who is making music with a young couple living in the castle, Edmond and Kitty. The child imagines that these two are a prince and a princess. 

 

The video is suffused with music; songs and duets of Haydn and Mendelssohn are performed by two distinguished young singers: Hong Kong-born soprano Kitty Lai and tenor Edmond Chu, along with solo pieces played by Japanese pianist Kaoru Iwamura on a square piano (an authentic period instrument). According to the director Daan Vree, the film is based on research into the history of the castle, the texts of the songs and the stories behind their composition: "we made a storyline that connects all the dots…The music is mostly about love and longing for each other, and we have the song about life that is just a dream."

 

To enjoy the music as part of an emotional journey, "Life Is a Dream" is now on Concerto da Camera's Youtube Channel, a unique experience no to be missed!

 

Moreover, a bonus video "The Broadwood Piano at the Loenersloot Castle" is now brought to you on Concerto da Camera’s Youtube channel. Kaoru Iwamura tells you more about the 200-year-old English Broadwood Square Piano she played in the video. This is a golden opportunity for you to extend your knowledge on the authentic keyboard instruments.

​

The Broaddwood Square piano 1829  at Castle Loenersloot is on loan from Museum Geelvinck.