The Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir in ParisBusinessman donates 500,000 shares to SSOSSCL appoints new CEO

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Mahler’s Ninth with Eliahu Inbal

The Quarterly Newsletter of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Bravissimo!JULY 2015 Vol. 16 No. 3 MICA (P) 019/07/2014

BraviSSimO! is published by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Printed by First Printers.No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.

Contents

SSO News 03

SSCC in Paris! 08

Symphony Society 10

Focus on Symphonies 12

Backstage with Christian Schiøler 14

On My Playlist 15The Autograph Collector

PianoFest 2015: 16Romantics and Nationalists

On the cover: Maestro Eliahu Inbal directing the SSO in Mahler’s Ninth Symphony

Photography by Collin Tan

Editors: Cindy Lim Chang Tou Liang

Writers: Melissa Tan Cheryl Pek

EditorialThe Singapore Symphony Orchestra rounded up its 2014/15 season with a series of splendid outdoor performances at the Istana and the Botanic Gardens, reaching out to thousands of audiences. The month of June saw the Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir perform in Paris as part of the Singapour en France – le Festival 2015; and the Singapore International Piano Festival returned with four exhilarating evenings showcasing virtuosos of contrasting styles.

Focus on Symphonies is our new column spotlighting some of the upcoming symphonic masterpieces in 2015/16, including tips on what to listen for in the music.

CINDY LIMEditorcindy@sso.org.sg

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Prof Cham Tao Soon, Mr & Mrs Ong Tiak Beng with daughter Yi Ting, Mr Anthony Teo & Mr Chng Hak-Peng

Businessman donates 500,000 shares to SSOThe SSO received its first donation of equities from Singaporean entrepreneur, Mr Ong Tiak Beng, at The St Regis on May 22. Mr Ong’s generous personal donation of 500,000 Innovalues shares, valued at $459,740, will be channelled towards the SSO Endowment Fund to meet the orchestra’s developmental needs. At the lunch ceremony hosted by Prof Cham Tao Soon, who is Chairman of the SSO Council, Mr Ong’s daughter Yi Ting, who plays the flute, gave a spirited performance of Fugata and Oblivion by Piazzolla and Waltz “Snowstorm” by Sviridov.

MIDORIStar violinist Midori returned to play Schumann’s Violin Concerto in D minor in a gala concert with the SSO on April 4. In the second half, Principal Guest Conductor Okko Kamu directed the orchestra in Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony.

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John Williams extravaganzaAssociate Conductor Jason Lai led the SSO in yet another successful film music concert on April 24. The John Williams extravaganza played to a 1,800-strong audience in the Esplanade Concert Hall, with the orchestra performing familiar soundtracks from Star Wars, Memoirs of a Geisha, Born on the Fourth of July and Jurassic Park. Young saxophonist Samuel Phua also took centrestage in Escapades from Catch Me If You Can.

SSO in the IstanaOver 3,500 people came by the Istana on May 1 to enjoy a free SSO Classics in the Park concert, as part of the SPH Gift of Music 10th anniversary celebrations. Associate Conductor Joshua Tan led the orchestra in well-loved favourites such as In the Hall of the Mountain King from Peer Gynt by Grieg and Strauss’ Roses from the South. President Tony Tan Keng Yam also made an appearance at the concert which included a special encore of Stand Up for Singapore.

Saxophonist Samuel Phua (right)

Performing in the Istana

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A stirring performance by Joshua Tan and the SSO

Music for mothers It was truly a musical Mother’s Day for the 5,000 people who brought along their picnic mats to the SSO’s free concert at the Botanic Gardens on May 10. Organised as part of the Tan Chin Tuan Music-For-All series, roses were distributed to mothers at the SSO table. Associate Conductor Joshua Tan and the orchestra gave a stirring interpretation of popular masterpieces including Elgar’s Salut d’amour and Schumann’s Träumerei. !

Mum, this one's for you!Associate Principal Oboist Pan Yun

Playing to a 7,000-strong crowd

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Madam Ho Ching enjoying the concert

Principal Flautist Jin Ta

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Jubilee at the BotanicsOn May 31, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife Madam Ho Ching joined a 7,000-strong crowd at Jubilee at the Botanics at the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage presented by Temasek. The SSO, joined by Associate Conductor Joshua Tan, vocalist Amni Musfirah and three musicians from the Singapore National Youth Orchestra, performed Broadway classics such as Memory from Cats and I Dreamed A Dream from Les Misérables, as well as favourite national songs such as Count on Me Singapore and Home. !

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Assistant Choirmaster Darius Lim & Choirmaster Wong Lai Foon

The Singapore Symphony Children's Choir

Give Me Wings Choirmaster Wong Lai Foon conducted the Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir 9th Anniversary Concert titled Give Me Wings at the Victoria Concert Hall on June 5. The 70-strong chorus regaled their audience with French favourites such as Poulenc’s Petites Voix and Faure’s Messe Basse, featuring organist Evelyn Lim, as well as a solo item Panis Angelicus featuring Jasmine Towndrow. Assistant Choirmaster Darius Lim conducted the SSCC for two works, including his own composition Puppet’s Dream.

SSCL appoints new CEOThe Singapore Symphonia Company Ltd (SSCL) has announced the appointment of Mr Chng Hak-Peng as its Chief Executive Officer with effect from October 1. Mr Chng is a passionate classical music advocate with career experience in the Administrative Service and as a management consultant. Over the past seven years, he began as a volunteer working with SSCL’s management and musicians on a number of key projects. As Deputy Chairman of SSCL, he has focused on reviews of new and expanding areas under SSCL’s purview, and is presently leading an integration team that is planning an exciting future for the Singapore National Youth Orchestra.

Mr Chng Kai Jin, the SSCL’s General Manager, will be stepping down on September 30 to pursue his personal goals, after 11 years at the SSO. The SSO will also bid farewell to the orchestra’s General Manager Mr Anthony Brice, who will be stepping down on July 25 to return to the United Kingdom with his family.

Mr Chng Hak-Peng

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SSCC in Paris!

The Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir (SSCC) performed in Paris in June as part of the Singapour en France – le Festival 2015. After months of preparations and eager anticipation, 40 SSCC members finally shared the stage with French choir Maîtrise de Radio France in Berlioz’s epic Te Deum in the newly opened Philharmonie de Paris on June 20. The performance was conducted by François-Xavier Roth with the children’s choir prepared by Sofi Jeannin.

The SSCC also sang at the closing reception of the festival at the Cite de l’Architecture et du Patrimonine on June 15, performing favourite Singaporean melodies including Lenggang Kangkung, Munnaeru Vaalibaa and Home. Amongst the guests present were Minister of State Mr Sam Tan, as well as NAC’s Deputy CEO Mr Paul Tan. 31 of the 40 children enjoyed a homestay experience as they were hosted by French families whose children are alumni of the Maîtrise de Radio France. !

Performing Berlioz's Te Deum in the Philharmonie de Paris on Jun 20

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Outside the Notre Dame CathedralThe first rehearsal

Performing at the closing reception of Singapour en France on Jun 15With Minister of State Mr Sam Tan

SSCC members with their friends from the Maîtrise de Radio France

Bon appetit!Post-concert smiles: Choirmaster Wong Lai Foon (top right) with some parents and SSCC singers

A day in Provins

Red & White Ballraises $931,000

Broadway singer Erin Cornell made a special appearance at the SSO Red & White Ball at The St Regis on April 18, in a magnificent evening that raised $931,000 for the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Joined by the SSO and Associate Conductor Joshua Tan, Erin Cornell gave a moving performance of favourite songs from some of the world’s greatest musicals: Memory, Music of the Night, I Dreamed A Dream, Maybe This Time, As If We Never Said Goodbye and Don’t Rain On My Parade.

The Red & White Ball was organized by members of the SSO Ladies’ League, with Mrs Rosy Ho and Ms Paige Parker as this year’s Co-Chairladies. Receiving the SSO Benefactor Award were Mr Christopher Ho and Mrs Rosy Ho.!

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Grace Yeh, Erin Cornell, Odile Benjamin & Juan Jackson

Associate Conductor Joshua Tan

Alice Lee-Seah & Moses Lee

Singer Erin Cornell

Rosy & Christopher Ho receiving the SSO Benefactor Award from SSO Chairman Goh Yew Lin (centre)

Mr & Mrs Ian Gay

Kris Tan & Carmen YamAlice Lee-Seah & Moses Lee

Jim Rogers & Paige Parker

Young violinist Samuel Tan

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NIELSEN SYMPHONY NO. 3 SINGAPORE PREMIERE

July 31, Esplanade Concert Hall,conducted by Lan Shui

BRUCKNER SYMPHONY NO. 8September 10, Esplanade Concert Hall,conducted by Lan Shui

WHODanish composer Carl Nielsen (1875-1934) was the exact contemporary of the Finn Jean Sibelius. His cycle of six symphonies enjoys a similar adulation and cult following as Sibelius' seven symphonies, although not performed nearly as often here. His gritty manner has often been compared with Sibelius', although both composers' styles are very different. Nielsen's concertos for violin, flute and clarinet are also important repertoire works.

WHATNielsen's Third Symphony (1910-11) is also titled Sinfonia Espansiva. This has little to do with its length but rather its energy level, and the manner it bursts forth with a life force that may be considered expansive. Written in four traditional

WHOAnton Bruckner (1824-1896) was a provincial Austrian, born near Linz, but made his name in Vienna as a symphonist in awe of Richard Wagner. He wrote no less than 11 symphonies (including one without number and another numbered 0), of which the ninth was left incomplete at his death. Due to his lack of self-confidence, he allowed a number of his symphonies to be edited and excised by well-meaning but misguided conductors.

WHATBruckner's Eighth Symphony was his last completed symphony. In four movements and playing for nearly 80 minutes, it is widely regarded as his greatest and most sublime. It also had a long gestation, from 1884-1892, brought about by frequent

movements, it is unusual that the second movement includes a haunting segment scored for two wordless voices. This will be its Singapore premiere.

LISTEN FOR...Its astonishing opening that comprises the note A, hammered out 26 times by the orchestra, accelerating in rapid succession. The pastoral slow movement with a single baritone and soprano voice in soothing melismata towards its conclusion. The finale's big tune, and like all good and serious composers, a fugal section thrown in for good measure. A feel good work all round.

revisions, with rejection, indifference and incomprehension from conductor-friends along the way. The edition by Robert Haas is the version most frequently performed in concert today.

LISTEN FOR...The hushed opening is classic Bruckner, with its principal theme emerging from the ether of string tremolos. The Scherzo is boisterous, in fast Landler rhythm far removed from the usually gentler Austrian country dance. The Adagio is arguably the finest of all Bruckner's slow movements, little wonder he was known as the Adagio-komponist (composer of Adagios). Towards the end of the finale, the four main themes of the symphony are recalled in a heady confluence of ideas, a sublime way to close the most sublime of symphonies.

MAHLER SYMPHONY NO. 10 SINGAPORE PREMIERE

(Deryck Cooke Performing Edition)

October 3, Esplanade Concert Hall,conducted by Thomas Dausgaard

WHOThe name of Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) has often been lumped together with that of Bruckner's as Viennese symphonists although they lived in different eras. Mahler was born in Bohemia and became famous as a conductor who also happened to compose long symphonies. Performances of Mahler symphonies in concert were relative rarities until the 1960s. Deryck Cooke (1919-1976) was the British musicologist best known for his work in completing Mahler's unfinished Tenth Symphony.

WHATAt the time of Mahler's death, only the orchestration of the Adagio first movement was left mostly complete. Sketches of four remaining movements were in a “short score”, written on four staves with some instructions regarding orchestration and

personal exclamations. Musicologists have “completed” the symphony, but Deryck Cooke's version of 1960-64 has found greatest favour. The SSO directed by Lan Shui has previously performed and recorded Mahler's Tenth in the version by Clinton Carpenter.

LISTEN FOR...The familiar Adagio contains some of Mahler's most dissonant music, culminating in a 9-note chord with trumpet blaring out a high A at its climax. The three central movements include two Scherzos sandwiching a brief but ghostly Purgatorio, a grotesque little waltz which he described, “the Devil dances it with me”. The Finale (which is as long as the Adagio), inspired by scenes of a New York City fireman's funeral procession, underlined his mortality and undying love for his wife Alma. This was Mahler's personal and true liebestod.

TICKETS: $20-$72 from SISTICConcessions: Cat 3-4: 30% off6348 5555 / www.sistic.com.sg Booking fees apply

Masaaki Suzuki conductorMasato Suzuki organ

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PRE-CONCERT TALK

6.30pm- 7pm | VCH Music Studio @ L3

post-concert symphony chat

28 AUG | Fri

27 & 28 AUG 15Thu & Fri, 7.30pm | Victoria Concert Hall

C.P.E. BACH Sinfonia in D major, H.633 W.183/1

POULENC Concerto for Organ, Timpani and Strings in G minor

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36

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Christian Utke Schiøler joined the SSO as its Principal Timpanist last September. Originally from Copenhagen, Denmark, Christian started playing the recorder at the age of five. A few years later, he joined the Tivoli Garden Boys Band (TGBB), an old institution established in 1844, to play the pipe. To join the concert band, Christian tried to learn the clarinet and horn, but eventually switched to playing the percussion as soon as he could.

With a laugh, he says: “I had already been beating all the dust out of my father's armchair with my mom's 11mm knitting sticks for a while, so the transition was quite natural.”

He also credits the TGBB for preparing him for the life of a professional musician. “TGBB is a professional organization, and playing in 50 concerts, parades, tours and recordings annually prepared us for a life in the world of music. This institution has produced many musicians who play important roles in Danish orchestras.”

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CHRISTIAN SCHIØLER

From Copenhagen toSingapore

Christian studied percussion at the Royal Danish Academy of Music for three years after high school. He shares that being a percussionist means having to learn how different instruments are played, and the techniques required to play them. It also helps to identify one’s strengths, whether as a soloist, chamber or orchestral musician.

Christian was the Associate Timpanist/Percussionist in the Danish National Symphony Orchestra (DNSO) for 22 years before coming to Singapore. When asked if he has ever considered alternative career paths, his passion for music is evident. “I already knew when I was 11 or 12 that I want to play in an orchestra, so I have no answers when people ask me what I would do if I didn't play music. I have always pursued this goal, and fortunately never had to consider other options!”

Cheryl Pek

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On My PlaylistWHAT SSO MUSICIANS HAvE BEEN LISTENING TO

RACHEL WALkER SSO PriNCiPal OBOiST

Falling in love again by my friend Melissa Tham (also SSO Principal Trumpet Jon Dante's girlfriend!) is a really beautiful album of classic and new jazz. I love Mel's voice and always marvel at her versatility. I find her slow ballads incredibly moving, but also love the endless cheeky nuances she adds to upbeat swing numbers. Truly brilliant!

Last Autumn by Michael Hersch featuring his brother, my dear friend (and SSO's very own) Jamie Hersch is, by contrast, an extremely deep, dark and thought-provoking contemporary classical work. Jamie's playing is stunning, and the work itself is thoroughly engaging. A really breathtaking production.

the Autograph collector

Isn’t it really helpful and considerate of concert presenters to organise post-concert autograph sessions so that audiences can get to meet artists close-up and in person? Here is a latest batch of autographs, “hot off the press” from the 22nd Singapore International Piano Festival.

If you have interesting autographs to share, please send a high-resolution scan and accompanying texts to: corporate@sso.org.sg. Happy autograph hunting!

IMOGEN COOPERThe great British pianist Imogen Cooper, making her PianoFest debut, has previously performed at Victoria Concert Hall, way back in 1996! She has a most straight forward of autographs, simply an inscription of her name which she underlines for good measure. This is as honest-to-goodness as her Schubert interpretations.

OLLI MUSTONENJudging by the intrepid Finnish pianist Olli Mustonen’s autograph, one would not have guessed his most over-the-top performances of Prokofiev’s sonatas. While his playing is exaggerated to the point of parody, his inscription is far more modest. Which goes to show you cannot really judge one’s playing based on one’s writing.

LARS vOGTOf the three established artists, German pianist Lars Vogt has the most unusual and stylised of autographs. It consists of two separate characters, marked by angular curves and swirls, which almost look like Chinese words. EMI Classics used to print his inscriptions on the CDs, but it’s always better to get them signed in person.

LUkÁŠ vONDRÁČEkThe Czech wunderkind Lukáš Vondrácek is a player of big sound and gestures, reflecting in his performance of music by his compatriots Smetana, Suk and Martinu, and Brahms, of course. His autograph is equally generous and extravagant, like his warm and firm handshake.

PianoFest 2015: RomanticsandNationalists

The 22nd Singapore International Piano Festival: Romantics and Nationalists spotlighted four top-class pianists of contrasting styles from June 25 to 28 at the Victoria Concert Hall. Presented by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, this year’s festival opened with well-known English pianist Imogen Cooper and closed with the exciting Czech pianist Lukáš Vondrácek. The festival also featured Finnish virtuoso Olli Mustonen and German pianist Lars Vogt. !

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Lars Vogt

Imogen Cooper

Olli Mustonen

Lukáš Vondrácek