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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SSO_PIANO_FEST17_BRAVISSIMO_A4_AD_FA.pdf 1 3/9/17 8:56 PM

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