Preview: SSO National Day Concert by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

The 1915 Raffles MarchComposed by A. Dietz, former Director of the Orchestra at the Raffles Hotel. Dietz himself is a mystery, with little is known of him, not even his first name. The work is known to have been performed on 13th September 1922 at the hotel, in a special concert reported in The Straits Times the day before. And in 2017, more than a century … Continue reading Preview: SSO National Day Concert by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Preview: Kerson Leong Plays Schumann presented by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra

At just 22 years of age, Canadian violinist Kerson Leong’s fast-rising career has taken the world by storm, and brought him to the world’s leading venues, from Carnegie to Wigmore. This August, he makes his Singapore debut with Schumann’s Violin Concerto – written in 1853 and subsequently lost for over 80 years, whose recovery was shrouded in ghostly mysteries and intrigue. Conducted by renowned Finnish … Continue reading Preview: Kerson Leong Plays Schumann presented by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Singapore Symphony Names Hans Graf as New Chief Conductor

The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has announced Austrian maestro Hans Graf as its Chief Conductor. Graf will assume the role from the 2020/21 concert season, beginning mid-2020. In Graf, SSO has appointed an internationally established maestro with highly regarded expertise in core orchestral repertoire. His background and work in Vienna, Salzburg and Graz makes him especially at home in Austro-German repertoire that is crucial in developing … Continue reading Singapore Symphony Names Hans Graf as New Chief Conductor

Preview: Steven Osborne plays Mozart presented by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

This July,  award-winning pianist Steven Osborne, “one of Britain’s most treasured musicians”, comes to town to play Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 12, a standout work of lyrical peace and effusive melody. During the concert, be sure to also look out for Rossini’s Overture to The Silken Ladder, Kernis’ Musica celestis, and Haydn’s Symphony No. 98 in B-flat major. Steven Osborne’s insightful and idiomatic interpretations of diverse repertoire show an immense … Continue reading Preview: Steven Osborne plays Mozart presented by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Preview: VCHpresents 2019/20 Season presented by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

The Victoria Concert Hall has announced its brand new VCHpresents 2019/20 seaso, marking the fifth anniversary of its re-opening. The season will include a range of performances that explore the chamber music repertoire, solo voice recitals, more intimate happenings, and two music festivals. The VCHpresents Chamber series promises to be Singapore’s widest offering of chamber music at the highest level – from western classical strings and … Continue reading Preview: VCHpresents 2019/20 Season presented by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Review: Eric Lu & Yu-Chien Tseng presented by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra

  While Argentinian master pianist Martha Argerich postponed her return to Singapore indefinitely, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has soldiered on with a concert in lieu, with pianist Eric Lu and violinist Yu-Chien Tseng joining the orchestra for a showcase at the Esplanade Concert Hall. The concert started off with Rachmaninoff’s The Isle of the Dead, Op. 29, performed by the SSO, as conducted by … Continue reading Review: Eric Lu & Yu-Chien Tseng presented by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Concert Review: Love Letter From Home by Dr Raul Sunico, Presented by Steinway Gallery Singapore

Commemorating the launch of master piano makers Steinway’s latest product, the Spirio|r, Steinway Gallery organised two concerts at the Victoria Concert Hall to celebrate this new invention, with Steinway artists Dr Raul Sunico and Nat Yontarak headlining a solo recital each, both of course, playing on a Steinway Spirio|r. With Dr Paul Sunico’s concert, titled Love Letter From Home, the Filipino pianist played a range … Continue reading Concert Review: Love Letter From Home by Dr Raul Sunico, Presented by Steinway Gallery Singapore

Singapore International Piano Festival 2019: An Interview with Pianist Ronan O’Hara

The 26th edition of the Singapore International Piano Festival returns this May and brings together four of the world’s best virtuoso pianists, each performing solo at the Victoria Concert Hall over the four day festival. In the lead-up to the performances, we spoke to veteran British pianist Ronan O’Hora, who has performed in every major country in Europe and the USA, Canada, Australasia and South … Continue reading Singapore International Piano Festival 2019: An Interview with Pianist Ronan O’Hara

Singapore International Piano Festival 2019: An Interview with Pianist Sa Chen

The 26th edition of the Singapore International Piano Festival returns this May and brings together four of the world’s best virtuoso pianists, each performing solo at the Victoria Concert Hall over the four day festival. In the lead-up to the performances, we spoke to Chinese pianist Sa Chen, whose playing has been described by the legendary Paul Badura Skoda as a pianist “like an angel from … Continue reading Singapore International Piano Festival 2019: An Interview with Pianist Sa Chen

Singapore International Piano Festival 2019: An Interview with Festival Director Lim Yan

The 26th edition of the Singapore International Piano Festival returns this May and brings together four of the world’s best virtuoso pianists, each performing solo at the Victoria Concert Hall over the four day festival. In the lead-up to the performances, we spoke to Singaporean pianist Lim Yan, the newly appointed Artistic Director of the festival and the first in SSO history to be an … Continue reading Singapore International Piano Festival 2019: An Interview with Festival Director Lim Yan