The Hong Kong born conductor and pianist has started his musical career already at the age of 13 with his first public appearance as concert pianist. Born to a musical family, Chiang began piano lessons when he was four. He also studied violoncello and composition. He received the Fellows Diploma from the Trinity College of Music in London at the age of 16, graduated with the Bachelor of Music Degree at Baylor University (USA), and finished his education with “Magister Artium” at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.

 

 

His major breakthrough as a conductor came with the winning of the renowned “Lovro von Matacic” international competition for Young Conductors in Zagreb in 2007. His versatility as a well-rounded musician has been proven by his convincing interpretation of a wide-ranging operatic, symphonic, choral, solo piano, chamber music and song recital repertoires, whether in opera pits or on concert stages.

 

 

The Vienna Boys Choir has been singing at Vienna's Imperial Chapel since 1296. In 1498, Maximilian I (HRR) moved his court to Vienna, lock, stock, and choir, thus founding the “Hofmusikkapelle” (Chapel Imperial), and the Vienna Boys Choir. Over the centuries, the Viennese Court attracted great musicians like Isaac, de Monte, Fux, Caldara, Gluck, Salieri, Mozart, and Bruckner; Joseph Haydn, Michael Haydn, and Franz Schubert were themselves choir boys.

 

Until 1918, the boys sang exclusively for the court. In the 1920s, the choir was reestablished as a private organisation. Since 1926, 2482 Vienna Boys Choir has sung 1000 tours in 97 different countries. Gerald Wirth is its Artistic Director, and its president.

 

 

1. François Couperin
Arr. Gerald Wirth
Jubilemus, Exultemus
2. Hans Leo Hassler
Motet for four voices a cappella Cantate Domino
3. Heinrich Issak
Arr. Gerald Wirth
Innsbruck, ich muss dich lassen (Innsbruck I have to leave)

4. Mozart
Seid uns zum zweiten Mal wilkommen, from The Magic Flute
5. Schubert
Nachthelle
6. Music: Mendelssohn
Lyrics: Heinrich Heine
Arr. Jimmy Chiang
Auf Flügeln des Gesanges (On Wings of Song), from Sechs Gesänge (Six Songs), Op. 34
7. Schumann
Lyrics: Emanuel Geibel
Zigeunerleben (Gypsy Life)
8. Dvořák
Lyrics: Adolf Heyduk
Arr. Jimmy Chiang
Když mne stará matka zpívat učívala (Songs my mother taught me)
from Cigánské melodie, B.104, Op. 55
9. Rossini
Duetto buffo per due gatti (Duet in the buffo style for two cats)
10. Aaron Copland
I bought me a cat
11. Billy Joel
Vienna
12. Michael Jackson
We are the world

- Intermission -

 

1. Music: ZHENG Qiu
Lyrics: QU Zong
Arr: Jimmy Chiang
I love you China
2. Fujian Folk Song
Tea-picking
3. Jiangsu Folk Song
Arr. Jimmy Chiang
Muolihua

4. Traditional bhajan from India
Arr. Gerald Wirth
Raghupati Raghav Raj Ram
5. South American Dance Song
Arr. Gerald Wirth
Un poquito cantas

6. Clapping song from Upper Austria
Arr. Gerald Wirth
Waldhansl

7. Song from the Tyrol; about the alpine cattle drive in spring
Arr. Gerald Wirth
Juchhe Tirolerbua (Hey, Tyrolean lad)
8. Music: Cy Colemann
Lyrics: Dorothy Fields
Arr: Richard Barns
Rhythm of Life
9. Ferry Wunsch
Arr. Gerald Wirth
Heut kommen d’Engerl auf Urlaub nach Wean
(The angels come for holidays to Vienna today)
10. Josef Strauss
Lyrics: Tina Breckwoldt
Arr. Gerald Wirth
Auf Ferienreisen Polka schnell, Op. 133 (1863)
11. Johann Strauss Jr.
Lyrics: Tina Breckwoldt
Arr. Gerald Wirth
Banditen-Galopp
12. Johann Strauss Jr.
Arr. Gerald Wirth
Kaiserwalzer (Emperor Walz)
13. Johann Strauss Jr.
Arr. Gerald Wirth
Leichtes Blut Polka, Op. 319