Music Is: VCHpresents Concerts Celebrate Some Of The Greatest Names in Classical Music

Following the launch of the first half of its 2022/2023 season, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) continues to inspire music-goers with their new VCHpresents series, which will deliver a slew of enthralling performances for the rest of the year, celebrating some of the greatest names in classical music including the likes of Schubert, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and more. 

Look forward to appearances by both local and international artists including Singaporean organists Phoon Yu, soprano Evelina Dobračeva,Canadian violinist James Ehnes,conductor Andrew Litton and his wife violistKatharina Kang Litton, and more. Notable highlights include VCHpresents Baroque Festival: The Aroma of Music in November, where Canadian violinist-conductor Peter Hanson will lead the SSO to perform Bach’s celebrated Coffee Cantata and Handel’s lively Water Music Suite. Musicians of the SSO will also come together in December to create some magic in the air as they present Schubert’s famous Trout Quintet and Mendelssohn’s popular Piano Trio No. 1. 

August

On 21 August, organist Phoon Yu will pay homage to legendary Belgian-French composer-organist extraordinaire César Franck, whose music has shaped generations of organists and composers, particularly of the French vein. VCHpresents Organ: Franck – Three Chorals will feature the revered Trois Chorals – the Three Chorals for Grand Organ – the pinnacle of Franck’s legacy, written at the very end of his life.  

They say music is the soul of a nation, the voice of its identity – join SSO’s Associate Principal Violist Guan Qiand musicians of the SSO as they pay tribute to this musical truth with a programme of pieces whose composers have been inspired by their homeland, including Singapore. Presented by Zhang Heyang, VCHpresents Intimate Moments: The Music That Belongs, with Guan Qi 乐享时光: 与关旗同寻“音乐的故乡” will take place on 30 and 31 August.

October

On 16 October, witness rising soprano Evelina Dobračeva showcase her powerful vocals alongside pianist Semion Skigin for VCHpresents Chamber: Captivated by the Rose ­– Evelina Dobračeva in Recital. The programme will also feature works by renowned composers including Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Puccini and more. 

Guest star virtuoso violinist James Ehnes, who was named Gramophone Artist of the Year 2021, will make a return to the Victoria Concert Hall on 23 October for VCHpresents Chamber: James Ehnes in Recital, promising a night of great solo violin repertoire by Bach, Paganini and Ysaÿe. 

Witness Schubert’s String Trio in B-flat major and Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 8 filled with crackling energy and drama as musicians of the SSO come together on 26 October to enthrall audience for VCHpresents Chamber: Remembering Schubert IV – After Beethoven. 

On 29 October, let organist Loraine Muthiah get you into a spooky mood for Halloween with VCHpresents Organ: Halloween Night. From whispering wails to ghastly groans, Muthiah is set to send musical tingles down your spine as she performs works by composers including the iconic Toccata and Fugue by J.S. Bach, Vierne, Mulet and more. 

November 

Get a glimpse of the enchanting world of Baroque music this month with the return of SSO’s Baroque Festival, led by Baroque specialist and violinist-conductor Peter Hanson. Set to take place on 10 and 11 November, VCHpresents Baroque Festival: The Aroma of Music will see the SSO perform Bach’s celebrated Coffee Cantata and Handel’s lively Water Music Suite, promising audience a sweet-sounding night filled with classical favourites. 

On 29 November, two classical music powerhouses: conductor Andrew Litton and his wife Katharina Kang Litton, will come together for VCHpresents Chamber: The Litton Duo, where they will have the audience mesmerised with pieces from their Litton Duo album including Kornauth’s Viola Sonata and Brahms’ Viola Sonata. A fun fact about the duo: Andrew is currently the Music Director of the New York City Ballet, while Katharina is the Principal Viola of the acclaimed ballet company. 

December 

On 11 December, VCHpresents Chamber: The Trout and the Trio will see musicians of the SSO take guests on a whistle-stop tour of Schubert’s and Mendelssohn’s searingly beautiful symphonies: Schubert’s famous Trout Quintet and Mendelssohn’s popular Piano Trio No. 1. 

End off the year on a high note with VCHpresents Organ: A Christmas Carillon on 28 December, featuring Singapore’s leading handbells ensemble, Ministry of Bellz and organists Yap Wai Hoong and Evelyn Lim. The programme of appealing tunes, with bells alongside the voices of the organs, is bound to put you in a festive mood. 

Visit Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s website and find out more here