www.sso.org.sgMCI (P) 105/06/2016
THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE SINGAPORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
APRIL 2017 VOL. 18 / NO. 2
Dudamel’s Singapore debut
Charles Dutoit conducts a Southeast Asia premiere
Interviews with Wang Jian & Joseph Moog
Zhang Jin Min –A Bassoonist’s Swansong
SSO NEWS
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CONTENTS
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.
03 SSO News
08 Spotlight: Wang Jian & Joseph Moog
10
SSO News
12Symphony Society
15
Patrons and Partners
16
Backstage
EDITORS
Cindy Lim
Leon Chia
WRITERS
Myrtle Lee
Cheryl Pek
ON THE COVER
Dudamel’s Singapore debut
DUDAMEL IN SINGAPOREFresh from leading the Vienna
Philharmonic’s New Year’s Day concert,
Venezuelan conducting sensation
Gustavo Dudamel wowed the audience
with his interpretation of Dvořák’s
Symphony No. 9 in E minor in his
Singapore concerts on January 5 and
6. In the first half he teamed up with
French violinist Renaud Capuçon for
Berg’s Violin Concerto. The concerts
were Dudamel’s first time conducting
an Asian orchestra. In a Facebook post
after the concert, Dudamel called SSO
“an outstanding orchestra”.
SSO NEWSSSO NEWS
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DEBUT OF A PRODIGY On February 24 & 25, 12-year-old piano prodigy Serena
Wang made her SSO debut at the Victoria Concert
Hall with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.1, under the
direction of guest conductor Yu Long. The all-Beethoven
programme also featured the composer’s Egmont
Overture and Seventh Symphony.
The Chinese maestro also directed the SSO at the
Esplanade Concert Hall on March 4, in a concert which
saw Principal Flautist Jin Ta taking on Ibert’s Flute
Concerto. The concert opens with Prokofiev’s scintillating
opera The Love for Three Oranges Suite, and closes with
Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony.
PETRUSHKA WITH OKKO KAMU In his final concert as SSO’s Principal
Guest Conductor, Finnish maestro Okko
Kamu directed a passionate programme
on March 24 featuring Stravinsky’s
Petrushka and Brahms’ Piano Concerto
No. 1 in D minor with pianist Martin
Helmchen.
CHARLES DUTOIT CONDUCTS SOUTHEAST ASIA’S PREMIERE OF STRAVINSKY’S FUNERAL SONG On February 16, Swiss maestro Charles Dutoit returned to the Esplanade Concert Hall to conduct the SSO in the highly-
anticipated Southeast Asian Premiere of Stravinsky’s Funeral Song, a work assumed lost for over a century. The evening’s
programme also featured the composer’s ballet The Firebird. Pianist Lukas Geniušas made his Singapore debut with
Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.
SSO NEWS
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SSO NEWS
SSO BRINGS HOPE IN CONCERT TRIO! In March, the SSO played to over 7000 people at a
trio of free concerts held from 9 to 11 March! With
SSO Associate Conductor Joshua Tan at the helm,
the orchestra presented a riveting performance of
works that were crafted to give those present hope
in uncertain times. The concerts featured music
from Rimsky-Korsakov’s Russian Easter Overture,
Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain and The Force
Awakens Suite from Star Wars. Both concerts at the
Victoria Concert Hall and Gardens by the Bay were
sponsored by Singapore Press Holdings, as part of the
SPH Gift of Music Series.
(bottom left) Anthony Chng, Fundraising
and Sponsorship Manager, SSCL, Anthony
Tan, Deputy CEO, SPH; Chin Soo Fang, Head,
Corporate Communications, SPH; Francis Mah,
Senior Manager Corporate Communications &
CSR, SPH.
SPOTLIGHT
Growing up in Ludwigshafen in Germany, Joseph Moog
was surrounded by plenty of music in the family home.
“My parents are both musicians working in different
orchestras. My mother is a violinist and my father a
clarinettist. They both used to play in various chamber
music ensembles. They bought a piano when I was
three years old and I was immediately attracted to the
instrument, starting to imitate melodies I had heard in the
house. I simply fell in love with the sound and the beauty
of the piano!”
The German pianist, who turns 30 this year, will be in town
to perform at the Singapore International Piano Festival on
June 1. His first recital in Singapore will feature music by
Haydn, Chopin, Debussy and Liszt.
“I think the programme I chose is both highly interesting
for piano music lovers and for curious listeners in general,”
Moog muses. “It will be a fascinating journey through time
and it features a broad selection of styles while maintaining
a strong connection between the individual composers
and works. The cultivated, witty and adventurous Fantasia
by Haydn poses an unusual preparation for Chopin’s most
famous Second Sonata with its tempestuous musical
drama. After the intermission there will be the progressive
Impressionism of Debussy followed by some of Liszt’s
Love at first sight
Joseph Moog
Modest and unpretentious
Wang Jian
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most Romantic compositions. At the same time Liszt has
quite literally enabled the transition from Romanticism to
Impressionism with his later works.”
This rising star was named a Young Steinway Artist in 2009,
and in 2015 he was Gramophone’s Young Artist of the Year.
“This was a very special moment for me, as I enjoy recording
and releasing CDs very much. It is also a tremendous honour
to be mentioned amongst prize-winners such as Haitink, Järvi,
Anderszewski and many others,” Moog confides.
Offstage Moog says he relishes spending time with his friends
and family: “I really enjoy taking long walks and trips together
with my wife and the dogs. Sports and physical activities have
always been a major part of my life and it helps to create a
balance to the present day, so I live to swim, play soccer or
work out on a regular basis.”
Cindy Lim
Wang Jian first came into the spotlight at the age of
10, through an appearance in From Mao to Mozart, a
documentary which followed eminent violinist Isaac Stern
on his trip to China, post-Cultural Revolution. It changed his
life, as it paved the way for him to further his studies in Yale
School of Music, under renowned cellist Aldo Parisot.
Wang’s first cello teacher, however, was none other than his
father. He started to study the cello at the age of four, and
intimates that his father would always handwrite scales and
exercises for him to practice, often borrowing materials from
violin training etudes.
“He did not want to “teach” me; he was always trying to make
me find my own way to get to the goal, encouraging me to
find my own ideals. I would say he made it possible for me
to be able to learn on my own... which is the most important
quality to have. Knowledge is secondary.”
In May, Wang will take centrestage with the Dvořák Cello
Concerto, a masterpiece he thinks is the king of the cello
repertoire.
“The concerto is the most famous cello concerto, for a good
reason! I don’t actually remember when I first played it, but I
do remember playing it for 37 times one year!”
The cello, Wang thinks, is a modest and unpretentious
instrument.
“Modesty, honesty, to be unpretentious and forgiving, are the
exact qualities that make the cello so appealing to the listener.
A cello can never be as brilliant as the violin, or dramatic as
a piano, but few can compete with the cello for being so
touching.”
“Because of these natural qualities, composers tend to write
more profound and philosophical scores for the cello.”
Cheryl Pek
Catch Wang Jian live with the SSO in the Esplanade
Concert Hall on May 5.
Tickets available from www.sistic.com.sg.
SPOTLIGHT
Joseph Moog will open the Singapore International
Piano Festival at the Victoria Concert Hall on June 1.
Tickets available from www.sistic.com.sg.
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SSO NEWS
INTIMATE LETTERS The audience spent a special Valentine’s
Day evening at the Victoria Concert
Hall as Swiss-based Stradivari Quartet
serenaded them with an enchanting
programme featuring Schumann’s
String Quartets No. 1 & 2, and Janáček’s
“Intimate Letters”.
TWIN CELLISTS TAKE CENTRE STAGE
The Victoria Concert Hall played host to twin cellists
cellists Ng Pei-Sian and Ng Pei-Jee on February 3. The
gripping programme included Bach’s famous Cello Suites
No. 2 and No. 3, Handel’s Trio Sonata No. 16 for two cellos
and harpsichord and Barriére’s Sonata No. 10 in G Major
for two cellos. The evening’s concert ended on a high
note with Kats-Cherin’s Phoenix Story, a work specially
commissioned for the twins.
SSO NEWS
ROYAL CONCERTGEBOUW ORCHESTRA MASTERCLASS On January 26, six members of the Singapore National
Youth Orchestra (SNYO) had the privilege of taking part
in a masterclass conducted by violinist Borika van den
Booren and French horn player Laurens Woudenberg
from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Over 60
students from 11 schools had the opportunity to observe
the masterclass conducted at the Music and Dance
Studios of the Victoria Concert Hall.
(right top) Mr Laurens Woudenberg with SNYO
horn players
(right bottom) Selected SNYO strings players with
Ms Borika van den Booren
SNYO TAKES ON THE CLASSICSOn March 18, 17-year-old Dylan Wee, winner of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition, took on the
ever-popular Barber’s Violin Concerto at the Victoria Concert Hall. Principal conductor Leonard Tan opened the concert with
Johann Strauss II’s jovial Die Fledermaus Overture, and closed with Brahms’ Third Symphony, a masterpiece that legendary
conductor Hans Richter described as “Brahms’ Eroica”.
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SYMPHONY SOCIETY SYMPHONY SOCIETY
Lan Shui’s
20t h SSO Season
The SSO announced on January 11 that Lan Shui will
be stepping down as Music Director in two years’ time,
after the SSO 40th Anniversary Concert in 2019. Lan Shui
said that with the birth of his second son in June 2016 in
Singapore, he wanted to spend more time with his wife
and two children.
Lan Shui said: “In the last 20 years we have grown so much
together and today the SSO is in a good place. There is
excellent teamwork between the board, orchestra and
management. I am proud to have given my best years to
the orchestra, and the SSO family will always have a special
place in my heart.”SSCL Chairman Mr Goh Yew Lin
giving a thank you speech
Shui first conducted the SSO as guest conductor in 1993. Since 1997 when he took over from Choo Hoey, who himself
held the position for 18 years, Shui has built the orchestra into one of the best orchestras in Asia. On January 13, the SSO’s
Beethoven Gala commemorating Shui’s 20th season played to a full-capacity audience in the Esplanade Concert Hall, which
included 11 Team Singapore athletes.
The orchestra’s board will appoint a committee to oversee the search for a new music director, a process that is expected to
take up to three years. During this time, more guest conductors will be invited to work with the orchestra, and artistic planning
will be overseen by CEO Chng Hak-Peng after Shui steps down.
SSO Chairman Mr Goh Yew Lin said: “We owe Lan Shui a great debt of thanks. Over the past twenty years, he has patiently
built the SSO into one of Asia’s finest. He knew from the start what he wanted to achieve, and he could be incredibly tenacious
on matters of principle and standards; but he also remained a thoughtful, caring and inspiring leader throughout. I am
saddened by his decision to leave, but I also look forward to the new possibilities that will open up as we begin the search for
a worthy successor.”
Team Singapore with representatives from SSO
Jean Wee & Peggy Kek
Lan Shui with pianist Nicholas Angelich
Chng Kai Jin, Lim Chi Wen, Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi-Martin, Paige Parker,
Christopher Martin
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PATRONS AND PARTNERS
Without the generous gifts of our corporate sponsors and loyal donors, the SSO
would not be able to stage outstanding concerts with an orchestra of brilliant
musicians, nor provide subsidies for student tickets.
We are launching this new section in Bravissimo! to shine the spotlight on our
Patrons and Partners. They support us year after year and make it possible for the
SSO to be a truly “national orchestra” that brings the gift of music to the diverse
communities of Singapore.
In this issue, we would like to highlight some of our long-time corporate sponsors.
The success of an orchestra depends in large part on the talent it can attract and
retain. Excellent musicians are much sought after by orchestras around the world.
Through the Musician Chair Sponsorship scheme, the Zhendong Foundation has
been contributing to the development and sustainability of the SSO by supporting
the Principal Cello Chair. It has donated $600,000 to the SSO since 2011. We are also
thankful to the Keppel Corporation for supporting the Fixed Chair Cello since 2010.
Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore has a relationship with the SSO that goes
back almost 30 years. In 1989, PCS started to donate $10,000 a year as a Corporate
Seat sponsor. Since 2006, it has increased its sponsorship to $20,000 each year.
Other Corporate Seat sponsors who have supported us for more than 15 years are
Prima Limited, Hong Leong Foundation and Stephen Riady Group of Foundations.
More recently in 2013, Nomura Asset Management Singapore also became a
Corporate Seat sponsor.
Our deepest appreciation to our corporate patrons and we very much hope that
they will inspire other organisations to give the gift of music too.
‘Can you please convey my appreciation to your sponsors?
Patrons of the arts are key to outreach programmes such as the
one on Sunday, outreaching to a different type of audience
and opening their ears for the future.’
Cecile Collineau, who brought her 9-year-old daughter to the Children’s Concert on 20 March 2017
Principal Cello Chair Sponsor
Corporate Seat Sponsor
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A heartfelt
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BACKSTAGE
Zhang Jin Min
A Bassoonist’s Swansong SSO Principal Bassoonist Zhang Jin Min has been a familiar face
among the SSO woodwind for a long time: 30 years, in fact.
“I’ve witnessed milestones from the time maestro Choo Hoey
established the orchestra’s strong foundation, to the era where
maestro Lan Shui shaped it into an internationally acclaimed
orchestra and showcased us to the world.” Jin Min reminisces.
“There are simply too many memorable experiences I have had
with the SSO that have touched my heart.”
Nevertheless, Jin Min professes to living a simple life. Besides
work, he enjoys hanging out with friends for a drink and chat,
and the occasional spot of fishing.
Zhang Jin Min (right) with Ma Yue (left) and Han Chang Chou
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But his musical life is anything but ordinary. As Adjunct
Associate Professor of Bassoon and Head of Woodwind
Studies at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, he has
contributed significantly to music education in Singapore.
He wants to help shape the Conservatory to become “a
juggernaut in the field of music education.”
On 19-20 May 2017, Jin Min will perform his swansong with
the SSO as he steps down as Principal Bassoon at the end
of the 2016/2017 season. Partnering him in the Sinfonia
Concertante by Crusell for triple wind are none other than
his old buddies, Han Chang Chou and Ma Yue.
“I’ve known them for over 30 years, from back when we’re all
in China. We grew up together and have worked together in
SSO for decades. We have gone through highs and lows, and
it is my honour and pleasure to be playing alongside my dear
friends on my last performance with SSO. This arrangement
is made possible by our music director, Lan Shui, and I am
very grateful for this last opportunity.”
Asked what the audience can look forward to in the triple
concerto, Jin Min remarks that it will be a treat for the ear
with the unique combination of bassoon, clarinet and horn
in Swedish-German Romantic style.
As the farewell concert for this SSO veteran, it will certainly
be special.
Leon Chia / Cheryl Pek