The Singapore Symphony closes an exciting 2024/25 season with a lineup of concerts catered to all music fans. From world-class artists and free family-friendly concerts to performances by the Singapore National Youth Orchestra and Singapore Symphony Choruses, your concert calendar will be packed for the next few months. The Singapore National Youth Orchestra will also embark on its first tour since 2018, performing in Macao, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
FLYING THE SINGAPORE FLAG
Following SSO’s highly successful Australian tour in February, the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO), led by Music Director Joshua Tan and featuring violin soloist Ning Feng, will kick off its multi-city tour at the Macao Cultural Centre (28 June), followed by the Grand Theatre Concert Hall in Shenzhen (29 June), and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (30 June). They will present an exciting programme including Dvořák’s Sixth Symphony, Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 2 and a new commission Echoes from the Heartland by Singaporean composer Tony Makarome.
As part of an exchange arrangement with the Macao Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) and Hong Kong Youth Symphony Orchestra (HKYSO), reading sessions and member activities have been planned. The MYSO and HKYSO will also perform side-by-side with SNYO at the Macao and Hong Kong concerts respectively, in a piece to be announced.
Back home, catch our young musicians in action on 7 June in the SNYO Pre-Tour Concert, featuring the same programme with violinist Zhi-Jong Wang.
NOT TO BE MISSED BY PIANO LOVERS
Piano lovers are in for a treat this April, beginning with Behzod Abduraimov and Hans Graf – Rachmaninoff and Ravel (11 and 12 April). The phenomenal pianist Behzod Abduraimov will perform Rachmaninoff’s popular Paganini Rhapsody, while the SSO, Singapore Symphony Chorus and Youth Choir will also present Ravel’s famous choreographic symphony Daphnis et Chloé in its rarely heard full score with choir. For those unable to make it in person, the concert will also be livestreamed on medici.tv and the Singapore Symphony YouTube as a Members-only exclusive on 12 April.
On 18 April, the renowned Daniil Trifonov will perform Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in SSO Gala: Daniil Trifonov and Hans Graf – Rachmaninoff and Debussy. Other works featured are Stravinsky’s ballet music Divertimento from The Fairy’s Kiss, as well as Debussy’s brilliant Images.
Both concerts will be conducted by Quantedge Music Director Hans Graf.
SSO Chamber Series: Deep Dive (25 April) features Hummel’s Piano Quintet in E-flat minor and Brahms’s First Piano Trio. Performed by musicians of the Singapore Symphony, the concert also spotlights an SSO Commission by Singaporean composer Joyce Koh – Deep Dive for bassoon, horn, harp and cello.
SPOTLIGHTING SSO MUSICIANS
SSO’s very own Principal Clarinet Ma Yue takes the stage on 2 and 3 May for Mozart and Finzi – Rodolfo Barráez and Ma Yue. He brings to life one of Finzi’s most popular works – his Clarinet Concerto. Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez continues his survey of Mozart’s symphonic oeuvre with his 35th and 39th Symphonies.
FOR THE CHORAL ENTHUSIASTS
On 23 and 24 May, Quantedge Music Director Hans Graf leads the combined forces of the SSO, Singapore Symphony Chorus and Youth Choir, Symphonia Choralis and vocal soloists Maria Bengtsson (soprano) and Tanja Baumgartner (mezzo-soprano) in Mahler’s monumental Second Symphony. Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony is a transcendent contemplation of life, culminating in ultimate triumph – the perfect conclusion to the SSO’s 2024/25 orchestra season.
On 1 June, join the Singapore Symphony Youth and Children’s Choirs with Choirmaster Wong Lai Foon in Look At The World. Revel in the words of John Rutter’s titular work and enjoy a varied programme of choral music from Mendelssohn, Gershwin and Piazzola together with music by Kelly Tang and Eudenice Palaruan.
ACTIVITIES FOR THE FAMILY
Casual music listeners can delight in a wide variety of performances, starting with the SSO Mother’s Day Concert on 11 May. Held at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the free, open-air concert celebrates the maternal figures in our lives with a rich programme of classical works and crowd favourites. Bring along your picnic basket and enjoy great music under the evening sky.
Look forward to a full day of music activities on 31 May at SSO Open House 2025. Held at the iconic Victoria Concert Hall, highlights include a concert by Singapore National Youth Sinfonia withconductor Seow Yibin and soprano Joyce Tung Lee, a chamber showcase by musicians of the SSO, free atrium performances by members of the Singapore Symphony Choruses and the SOTA Malay Fusion Ensemble, and a theremin demonstration by Chris Ang. You can also sign up for a Foley workshop to learn the art of creating realistic sound effects used in film, craft your own mini organ and learn more about the majestic Klais Organ (Singapore’s only fully mechanical organ), as well as go on a backstage tour of the Victoria Concert Hall. There is something for everyone – from families to music enthusiasts and novices alike.
SSO Organ Series: Anne Maria Lim and the Magic Organ (8 June) is the perfect introduction to the beauty of the pipe organ. Young organist Anne Maria Lim will bring you through music from Bob Chilcott’s Mr Majeika and the Magic Organ, Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite, Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade and more. Fringe activities and exhibitions are also available for audiences to learn about the king of instruments.
Visit www.sso.org.sg to view the complete season.
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