Huayi 2020: An Interview with Star Pianist Tony Yike Yang

At the tender age of 16, Chinese-Canadian pianist Tony Yike Yang took the music world by storm when he became the youngest-ever laureate at the prestigious 2015 Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw. Now, the young prodigy is set to make his Southeast Asian debut at the Esplanade, performing a solo recital as part of this year’s edition of Huayi – Chinese Festival of the arts. … Continue reading Huayi 2020: An Interview with Star Pianist Tony Yike Yang

Music Is: Ding Yi Music Company’s Happy Chinese New Year Concert 2020 feat. Nathan Hartono (Preview)

As Singapore’s most acclaimed Chinese chamber music ensemble, Ding Yi starts off 2020 on an auspicious note with a new edition of their annual Happy Chinese New Year Concert. Playing on 8th February at the China Cultural Centre, the concert will be conducted by Ding Yi Assistant Conductor Wong De Li, Dedric, and feature a special appearance from local singer-songwriter Nathan Hartono, who rose to … Continue reading Music Is: Ding Yi Music Company’s Happy Chinese New Year Concert 2020 feat. Nathan Hartono (Preview)

Music Is: Philippe Quint – The Red Violin by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (Preview)

Inspired by classic 1998 film The Red Violin, tracing the life of a magnificent, haunted violin in a tale spanning over 300 years, watch as lauded Russian-American violinist Philippe Quint revisits this tale in a special concert this March. Alongside John Corigliano’s Oscar-winning music for The Red Violin, the SSO’s Principal Guest Conductor Andrew Litton contrasts Bernstein’s vibrant Candide Overture with the brooding strains and defiant … Continue reading Music Is: Philippe Quint – The Red Violin by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (Preview)

Music Is: Martin Grubinger – The Tears of Nature by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (Preview)

One of today’s top percussionists, Martin Grubinger, comes to Singapore on 29th February to perform Tan Dun’s percussion concerto, The Tears of Nature. The work, which was written for Grubinger, celebrates the human spirit in its endeavour to live, fight and dance with nature. Tan Dun, whose music is regularly performed by the SSO, said of the piece: “While composing I thought about nature and … Continue reading Music Is: Martin Grubinger – The Tears of Nature by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (Preview)

Music Is: Inner Worlds – Igor & Pei Sian in Concert with re:Sound (Preview)

Start 2020 off with a round of music as re:Sound Collective presents Inner Worlds – Igor & Pei Sian in Concert at the Victoria Concert Hall this January. Bringing together violinist Igor Yuzefovich, co-concertmaster of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and SSO principal cello soloist Ng Pei-Sian, the concert is set to bring audience members on an exploration of the human spirit. The set will open … Continue reading Music Is: Inner Worlds – Igor & Pei Sian in Concert with re:Sound (Preview)

Music Is: VCHPresents Chamber – Endless Sound 无限的笙 by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (Preview)

Renowned sheng virtuoso Wu Wei leads musicians of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra on a journey from East to West and back again in Endless Sound, playing on a Sunday afternoon on 9th February. Wu Wei has crafted a programme bringing together Chinese favourites – such as Dragon Dance 金蛇狂舞 by Nie Er 聂耳 and Dance of the Yao People 瑶族舞曲 by Mao Yuan 茅沅 – and … Continue reading Music Is: VCHPresents Chamber – Endless Sound 无限的笙 by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (Preview)

Music Is: 13 New Music Acts To Perform at All Things New X Noise Weekend

Following a two-month long Noise Music mentorship, 13 young up and coming music acts are set to make their professional debuts at the Esplanade’s All Things New X Noise Weekend from from 17th to 19th January 2020. For one weekend, audiences can expect a weekend filled with music across a range of genres as the next generation of emerging musicians bring their best sounds to … Continue reading Music Is: 13 New Music Acts To Perform at All Things New X Noise Weekend

Preview: Esplanade presents Huayi Festival 2020

As we approach Chinese New Year once again, so does the Esplanade’s annual Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts. Come the year of the Rat, often considered a symbol of wit, imagination and curiosity, Huayi is set to bring these traits to life in its programming, with a line-up of leading Chinese artists from Singapore and beyond between 31st January and 9th February 2020. Presenting a mix … Continue reading Preview: Esplanade presents Huayi Festival 2020

Review: Crazy Christmas 2019 – Crazy Grinch Asians by Dream Academy

★★★★☆ (Performance attended 17/12/19) Dream Academy’s A-Team come together for a festive variety show to do what they do best – having fun, spreading joy and laughter. If it’s one company that knows how to play to their strengths, it’s Dream Academy. Following a four year hiatus since its last edition in 2015, the local theatre company has triumphantly brought back their crowd-pleasing Crazy Christmas once again, … Continue reading Review: Crazy Christmas 2019 – Crazy Grinch Asians by Dream Academy

Neon Lights 2019 Wrap-Up: Music That Brings People Together, Rain or Shine

The annual Neon Lights Festival returned to Fort Canning last weekend, bringing with them a host of art and music acts both international and regional for one heck of a good time, regardless of age. With the gates opening from 1pm, Fort Canning saw a flurry of activity happening all the way till the end of the day, as families, friends and music lovers of … Continue reading Neon Lights 2019 Wrap-Up: Music That Brings People Together, Rain or Shine