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Straits Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Concert review: SCO's Metamorphosis a harmonious celebration of SG60
Metamorphosis Singapore Chinese Orchestra Singapore Conference Hall July 19, 7.30pm The Singapore Chinese Orchestra's (SCO) opening concert for the 2025/2026 season, led by principal conductor Quek Ling Kiong, was a celebration of SG60. Sixty years of Singapore's nation-building were premised on a multicultural identity and social harmony, all represented in this concert. The evening opened with SCO composer-in-residence Wang Chenwei's Lion City Rhapsody, a modern look at the baroque concerto grosso. Its concertino group of soloists played 14 different instruments and covered the five Chinese dialect groups in Singapore, each with its own distinct colour. Its infectious and kinetic energy founded upon the Nanyin classic Trotting Horses culminated in a greeting for National Day in Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka and Hainanese. Of a more descriptive nature was Chen Si'ang's The Grand Canal, which began quietly with serene scenes of quaint river towns on the 2,500-year-old water system. Working itself into a big climax as it empties into the great Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, the quasi-cinematic work was symbolic of longevity and endurance. Former SCO composer-in-residence Law Wai Lun's The Stories Of Singapore highlighted landmarks in the nation's history as viewed in the pages and photographs of local Chinese-language newspapers. The accompanying images to the music's optimistic and self-congratulatory tone have been updated to include defeating the Covid-19 pandemic and the ascensions of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. There were two concertante pieces, both featuring Young Artist Award-winning percussionists. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 1 in 3 vapes here laced with etomidate; MOH working with MHA to list it as illegal drug: Ong Ye Kung Singapore HSA extends hotline hours, launches new platform to report vaping offences Singapore Tampines regional centre set to get more homes, offices and public amenities Multimedia How to make the most out of small homes in Singapore World Diplomats dismissed: Inside the overhaul reshaping Trump's foreign policy Life US tech CEO Andy Byron resigns after viral Coldplay 'kiss cam' video Opinion I thought I was a 'chill' parent. Then came P1 registration Singapore 'God and government are the only things beyond our control,' says Group CEO India-born tabla player Nawaz Mirajkar was soloist in his Soul Of Damaru, a raga-based work where he performed on one tabla and five damarus (hourglass-shaped Indian drums). The hypnotic spell generated was most magical when heard in counterpoint with Benjamin Boo's xylophone. A quite different atmosphere came with Riduan Zalani helming no less than eight frame drums (including tambourines) in Taiwanese composer Chang Yung-chin's Within And Beyond. In its sequence of increasingly exuberant dances, there were spots for ad libbing and even audience interaction, which kept the episodic work edgy and absorbing. Then came the world premiere of Wang's Converging Resonances, which commemorated 60 years of the Singapore Conference Hall's history. Its metamorphosis from National Trades Union Congress headquarters to SCO's performing home unfolded in the form of a passacaglia, an inventive series of short varaations on a ground bass. While its inspiration came from Johannes Brahms' Fourth Symphony, the immaculate execution with numerous instrumental solos was wholly Chinese in character and feel. Closing the concert was Felix Phang's Pasat Merdu, translated as 'melodious marketplace', another concerto grosso-like work where diverse cultures and ideas are welcome. This adaptation by Germaine Goh for Chinese orchestra placed centrestage four members of The Straits Ensemble – Govin Tan (tabla), Nizar Fauzi (rebana), Azrin Abdullah (oud) and Phang (double bass) – in a raucous and colourful melange. This and the encore of Tamil song Iyarkaiyin Kaatchi, which included guest of honour President Tharman in a clap-along, were enjoyable reminders that multiculturalism in harmony is what makes Singapore tick.
CNA
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Meet the 12-year-old girl in love with Chinese culture
Meet the 12-year-old girl in love with Chinese culture By CNA/Wallace Woon Clarissa See fell in love with the erhu after hearing it at a Singapore Chinese Orchestra concert when she was six. 'When I (started learning the) erhu, I thought it's something fun,' she shared. 'But when I got older, I (realised) that the erhu tells people stories from the sound and lets them know what is happening in the song, like if it's sadness or joy.' Her interests also extend to the gaohu, Chinese dance, martial arts and Teochew opera. 'When I (went) to Teochew opera for the first time, the costumes (were) very beautiful and I liked the makeup. When I wear the make-up and the costume, I think that I'm stepping back in time,' she said. Her mother, Deng Xiu Wei, is cautious not to push her daughter too hard. If Clarissa eventually decides Chinese music isn't for her, she would have her mum's full support. 'Children are unique. As a parent, I will use the torchlight to find a way for them and let them find a way by themselves. They have their own pace and their own terms as well,' said Deng. Next Story
Straits Times
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Arts Picks: SCO's celebration of Lim Tze Peng, ACM's music weekend, street art at Tang Contemporary
Quek Ling Kiong, principal conductor of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, will conduct Symphony Of Ink. PHOTO: SINGAPORE CHINESE ORCHESTRA Symphony Of Ink The Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) is paying tribute to artist Lim Tze Peng, who died in February aged 103. Symphony Of Ink comprises four chapters, each of which delves into Lim's life, works and legacy. Simon Kong Su Leong's Izpirazione II and Sulwyn Lok's The Cry Of Solo River in the first chapter, for example, reflect the South-east Asian strand in his works, while in the second chapter, Eric Watson's The Ceilidh explores his family ties and his love for his wife. Chapter 3 juxtaposes his works against musical pieces, including Liong Kit Yeng's Kreta Ayer and Law Wai Lun's River Of Life. The conclusion features two world premieres – Wang Chenwei's Symphony Of Ink and Luo Maishuo's Spirit Of Ink. These works will seek to translate Lim's painting aesthetic into music. This concert is the second of the SCO's Cultural Titan series, a collaboration with the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre which celebrates Cultural Medallion recipients. Where: Singapore Conference Hall, 7 Shenton Way MRT: Shenton Way When: June 7, 7.30pm Admission: $20 to $80 Info: Crossing Cultures At ACM: Listening Pleasures Indie band Space Walk will perform at the Asian Civilisations Museum. PHOTO: SPACE WALK The Asian Civilisations Museum is organising a series of cross-cultural music exchanges for the weekend of June 13 to 15. What is different about this programme is the opportunity to listen to music inside the galleries. The inspiration is the museum's revamped Scholars Gallery featuring the qin, a traditional Chinese instrument. The weekend will kick off on June 13 with a Secret Gig somewhere in the museum building. If you prefer to know what you are getting into, Eight Tones Music will perform in the Scholars Gallery on June 14 and 15. More adventurous music fans should look out for indie band Space Walk's reinterpretation of classic Nusantara tunes on June 14. Carnatic singer Sushma Soma – fresh off her Singapore International Festival of Arts gig at Stray Gods – will perform her original music influenced by her Carnatic training on June 15. Singer Sushma Soma will perform her music at the Asian Civilisations Museum. PHOTO: NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL Admission fees to the museum apply for the indoor shows. Alternatively, there are also a couple of Japanese city-pop-themed gigs at the ACM Green, so pack a picnic basket and chill out to the free music. Where: Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place MRT: Raffles Place When: June 13 to 15, various times Admission: Free and ticketed Info: Nothing Is Minor: Visual Records Of Feeling, Repetition, And Restlessness Thai artist Benzilla's kawaii character Loook frolics through flower-strewn landscapes. PHOTO: BENZILLA Pop and street art fans will enjoy Tang Contemporary Art's new show. It pairs Thai artist Benzilla with Spanish artist Imon Boy. Both artists are influenced, quite evidently, by Japanese pop culture and American street art. Benzilla's kawaii character Loook , an alien with three eyes, frolics through flower-strewn landscapes that recall Japanese artist Takashi Murakami' s graphic florals, although with a more restrained palette . Imon Boy is Spain's own Banksy, who has remained studiously anonymous while making a name for himself as a mural artist. His pieces are more meditative and nostalgic, harking back to simpler times in works such as I Miss My Pre-Internet Brain and It's Still 9 O'Clock. It's Still 9 O'Clock by Spanish artist Imon Boy, who has remained anonymous while building a reputation as a mural artist. PHOTO: IMON BOY Both artists' works exude an almost defiantly, playfully childish vibe despite the very long and rather pretentious show title. Where: Tang Contemporary Art, 06-01/02 Delfi Orchard, 402 Orchard Road MRT: Orchard When: June 5 to July 12 (Tuesdays to Saturdays), 11am to 7pm; closed on public holidays Admission: Free Info: Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Arts Picks: SCO concert A Bug's Life, chamber music from 1812 to 1851, Nahre Sol piano recital
Singaporean maestro Darrell Ang collaborates with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra for a concert themed on insects. PHOTO: SINGAPORE CHINESE ORCHESTRA A Bug's Life The Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) will present A Bug's Life, a nature-inspired concert conducted by internationally acclaimed Singaporean maestro Darrell Ang. A h ighlight of the concert is the world premiere of Ang's original composition, A Bug's Life – Paraphrase On A Theme by Alexander Scriabin, giving audiences a fresh and imaginative music experience. The show will also feature a new interpretation of Butterfly Lovers by South Korean Cho Hang-oh, principal cellist of the Sichuan Symphony Orchestra. This marks the first time the SCO is performing the cello version of the beloved Chinese classic, composed by Chen Gang and He Zhanhao, and the first time in more than five years that the orchestra is revisiting the piec e. Audiences can also look forward to The Insect World by Doming Lam, who is revered as the father of Hong Kong modern music. The piece will be presented for the first time and captures the vibrant, intricate life of insects. A Bug's Life is the second instalment of the SCO's nature-themed concert series helmed by Ang, following Songs Of Ancient Birds, which premiered in April . Speaking about the intention behind the concert series, Ang, who also serves as the SCO's principal guest conductor, said: 'In order for us to continue living our lives, we need to realise that caring for nature and letting it thrive is key to humanity's future happiness. I hope my nature series with the SCO will inspire listeners to think more about their relationship with nature.' Where: SCO Concert Hall, 7 Shenton Way MRT: Shenton Way/Tanjong Pagar When: May 10, 7.30pm Admission: $20 to $80 from Sistic (go to or call 6348-5555) Info: An 1825 Hopscotch concert Chamber Music and Arts Singapore (CMAS) presents An 1825 Hopscotch, exploring the rich musical evolution from the Classical to Romantic eras. The programme features three violin and piano sonatas composed between 1812 and 1851, and will be performed by internationally acclaimed Scottish pianist Alasdair Beatson and Singaporean concert violinist and founder of CMAS Tang Tee Khoon. The concert offers a window into the artistic shifts that defined a golden era of chamber music and will take listeners on a sonic journey through the lyricism of Felix Mendelssohn, the dramatic flair of Robert Schumann and the clarity of Ludwig van Beethoven. It reflects on how each composer left a distinct imprint on the genre, transforming chamber music into a more personal and poetic form of expression. The event is part of CMAS' lead-up to its fifth anniversary celebrations, which will culminate in November with a major concert series titled 1825. The year-long programme aims to deepen Singaporean audiences' connection to classical chamber music, as CMAS continues its multi-year journey through key works from 1812 to 1828, including those by Beethoven and Franz Schubert. Where: Esplanade Recital Studio, Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive MRT: City Hall/Esplanade When: May 10, 8pm Admission: $42 to $102 Info: Nahre Sol piano recital Nahre Sol, an American pianist and compose r known for pushing the boundaries of piano music, will bring her distinct blend of classical innovation to the stage in an upcoming recital. Sol, who has close to 800,000 subscribers on YouTube, will perform pieces popular on her channel, such as Autumn Leaves Variations, along with her inventive postludes on famous classical melodies. A classically trained pianist with degrees from The Juilliard School and The Glenn Gould School, Sol's eclectic style fuses improvisation, avant-garde elements, Western classical forms, jazz and minimalism. She has performed at prestigious venues, including The Kennedy Centre in Washington in the United States, and Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany. Beyond the concert hall, Sol has built a global following through her YouTube channel, where she breaks down the styles of classical composers, explores music theory and produces original documentaries. Her creative reach extends to video game music, film soundtracks and collaborations with major artistes, including contributing to The Boss Baby 2 (2021) alongside German composer Hans Zimm er. Where: Victoria Concert Hall, 11 Empress Place MRT: Raffles Place When: May 6, 7.30pm Admission: $68 to $168 from Sistic Info: Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
