Hong Kong New Music Ensemble plays with fruits and vegetables

According to William Lane, artistic director of HKNME and professional violist, the philosophy behind playing with fruits and vegetables instead of conventional instruments is that you can be part of the whole creative process. 

"You create the instruments from nothing," says Lane, and the band proceeds to make music by chomping, grating, and hitting their fruits and veggies.

Most of the instruments are created on the spot -- experimentation is the rule. HKNME member Adam Leung believes that one should explore music on experimental terms, whether instruments are homemade or conventional or traditional.

Wilmer Chan and Adam Leung bellow on their carrots and apples.

Percussionist Louis Sin prefers playing on both conventional and unconventional instruments. In an orchestra that is more focused on technique, he believes there's "minimal creativity involved."

The clip above captures the Fruit and Vegetable Orchestra preparing for their first public performance. The "instruments" includes carrots, celery, watermelon and others.

All of the music was improvised by ripping, chewing, chopping, and shaking the veggies, apart from "Clapping Music" by American minimalist composer Steve Reich, which HKNME performed using coconuts and carrots. 

So if you have any free time, head to the Piazza in K11 this coming Sunday (September 19) at 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. to see people playing with their food.