18 July 2017 Esplanade Concert Hall GUEST-OF-HONOUR
Professor Chan Heng Chee Ambassador- at - Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
M A N A GE D BY S I N G A P O R E SY MP H O N Y G R O U P
18 Jul 2017, Tue
DAWN & STORM Singapore National Youth Orchestra Joshua Tan, guest conductor Johannes Brahms
Tragic Overture, Op. 81 13’00
Franz Joseph Haydn
Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major, Hob. VIIb:1 24’00
1. Moderato 2. Adagio 3. Allegro molto Aoden Teo, cello
Intermission 20’00
Arthur Honegger
Pastorale d’été 7’00
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Francesca da Rimini, Op. 32 22’00
Concert duration: 1 hr 40 mins Non-flash photography is allowed for this concert only during curtain calls. Use the hashtag #SNYO when you share the photos on your social media!
S ING A P OR E N AT ION A L YOU T H OR C HE S T R A The Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) occupies a special place in Singapore’s music community, having produced a strong alumni contributing significantly to both seeding the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and other community orchestras in Singapore as well as teaching the next generation of budding musicians, thereby boosting Singapore’s music and cultural scene. As a leading orchestra dedicated to the training and development of young orchestral musicians in Singapore, the SNYO is recognised by the Ministry of Education as a National Project of Excellence. Entry into the SNYO is by a rigorous audition process. In April 2015, the SNYO started a new chapter in its musical journey with the transfer of its management and operations from the Ministry of Education to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. The impetus behind this change is to provide high quality leadership and artistic development for local musical talent to excel at the national level by drawing on the knowledge and expertise of Singapore’s premier professional orchestra. Currently led by Principal Conductor Dr Leonard Tan, the SNYO is made up of over 180 talented young musicians representing more than 60 schools across Singapore. The Orchestra boasts a unique music talent development programme where selected members receive individual instrumental tutoring from professional musicians such as those from the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. VISION To inspire a lifelong love for music and a dedication to exceptional orchestral performance. MISSION Through the playing of orchestral classical music, we nurture future generations of musicians and build a vibrant music community for Singapore.
JO SHU A TA N guest conductor
Second Prize winner of the 2008 Dimitri Mitropoulos International Competition, Singaporean conductor Joshua Tan’s rise to prominence on the international scene has been marked by successful debuts in Carnegie Hall, Philharmonie Berlin, Mariinsky Hall, Bunkamura, Shanghai, Beijing and Taiwan. He was featured as the top Singaporean musical talent in 2009 by the Singapore newspaper, Lianhe Zaobao. He has also won numerous awards and scholarships, including the Bruno Walter Memorial Foundation Award, NAC-Shell Scholarship, SSO/MOE Scholarship and is the first-ever recipient of the Charles Schiff Conducting Prize from the Juilliard School for outstanding achievement. In 2011, he received the Young Artist Award of Singapore. Tan has studied with leading conductors James DePreist, Charles Dutoit, David Zinman and Kurt Masur. He has conducted the Mariinsky Theater Orchestra, Beethoven Bonn Orchestra, St Petersburg State Symphony, Russiche Kammerphilharmonie, National Center for the Performing Arts Orchestra (NCPA), China Philharmonic, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire, National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic and many more orchestras from China and Japan. In opera, Tan has conducted La traviata, Tosca, Rigoletto, Il barbiere di Siviglia, La Cenerentola, Der fliegende Holländer, Lohengrin, Carmen, Don Giovanni, Manon Lescaut, Madama Butterfly, Cosi fan tutte and was also cover conductor for Christoph Eschenbach and Lorin Maazel. Adept with film/multimedia, Tan is a Disney-approved conductor and gave the Asian premiere of Fantasia. He has also conducted for the BBC’s Planet Earth Series. Tan is presently Associate Conductor of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor, Guiyang Symphony Orchestra. He was Resident Conductor, NCPA Orchestra from 2009 to 2012. Highlights of the 2016/17 season include debuts with Sinfonia Varsovia, Japan Century Orchestra, Swan Lake and Giselle in Tokyo, Turandot, L’elisir d’amore in Singapore. Tan is a graduate of the Juilliard School and the Eastman School of Music (High Distinction).
AODE N T EO cello
Aoden Teo has been playing the cello since he was three years old. He currently studies with Singapore Symphony Orchestra cello section fixed chair, Guo Hao, at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, School of Young Talents. Last year, Aoden was a participant in the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival 2016 in Los Angeles, USA, and was part of the 100-cello performances in the Walt Disney Hall alongside renowned cellists Mischa Maisky, Ralph Kirschbaum and Giovanni Sollima. In 2012, he was the HSBC Youth Excellence Award winner in the musical excellence category, presented to him by the President of Singapore, Dr Tony Tan. In the same year, he won the First Prize at the American ProtĂŠgĂŠ International Piano and Strings Competition and played a solo item at Carnegie Hall, New York City. Aoden received the Arts Award for exceptional talent in the performing arts from his school Anglo-Chinese School (Junior) in 2012 and 2014. He played a solo part in 2012 Singapore National Day Parade Grand Finale segment and was a soloist with ChildAid in 2011 and 2013. In January 2014, he performed in Suntory Hall in ChildAid Asia where Princess Kiko, wife of Prince Akishino was in attendance. He has also played at the Istana and has performed for both the Prime Minister of Singapore and President of Singapore on various occasions. He was the principal cellist of his primary school orchestra for five years until he graduated. He is currently the Principal Cellist of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent). He has been a member of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra since 2015.
SN YO MU S IC I A N S LEONARD TAN Principal Conductor LIN JUAN Assistant Conductor
FIRST VIOLIN Dylan Wee Hong Xuan Concertmaster Dominique Braam Joanne Chan Wai Mun Joelle Chiam Yan Lin Ashley Hsu Shien Genevieve Koh Kai Wen Katherine Anne Lau Enqi Liu Zhilong Soh Yi Han Ezekiel Tan Xin An Monica Toh Song Fen Amanda Yap Wen Chin SECOND VIOLIN Ethan Wong Yii Principal Myra Rena Choo Jia En Alyssa Goh Hui Yi Andre Hee Shao Jun Natalie Hee Shao Jing Lian Ko-Shyan Jalen Ng Shi Fangxin Reina Teo Wei En Thong Wei Ling Yeong Jun Kai VIOLA Joelle Hsu Min Principal Dorian Christopher Chang Calvin Dai Siyang
Linnea Lei Ng Johansson Lin Heshuo Ng Tze Yang Tan Kwang Qi
CLARINET Victoria Ang Li Min Samuel Chan Lisa Wegmann
CELLO Chloe Chen Jiaen Joy Chen Jiale Chen Youjia David Choi Bumjoon Choon Hong Tzin Isaac Tah Shern U Aoden Teo Masa Toshi Tobias Teo Jun Wei
BASSOON Naif Syahiran Bin Noreffendy Shi Jiaao
DOUBLE BASS Hong Jingmin Principal Chong Yee Ching Margaret Louise Devadason Charis Hadjisophocleous Javier Heng Mary Claire John FLUTE Clement Chan Principal Gail Gay Julien Quek Jun Hao Janelle Yuen Feng Min PICCOLO Julien Quek Jun Hao OBOE Quek Jun Rui Principal Jasper Goh Jing Zhong Zhou Xinru COR ANGLAIS Zhou Xinru
HORN Siti Nur Ariani Bte Norman Muhammad Aidil Syukri Roslan Jaben Sim Yun Heng Linnet Sim Yun Juan TRUMPET Himari Ang Lixin Foong Jun Yu Amir Hasif Bin Rosli Abner Wong Ho Khuen TROMBONE Lucas Lim Cheng Li Toh Chang Hui BASS TROMBONE Zhou Shuaiming TIMPANI Clive Tan Jing Jie Tan Jun Yi PERCUSSION Amos Choo Xu Ze Tan Jun Yi Tan Sze Eng
S C HOOL S , C OL L EG E S A ND IN S T I T U T ION S R E P R E SE N T E D IN SN YO Admiralty Primary School Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School Anderson Primary School Ang Mo Kio Secondary School Anglican High School Anglo-Chinese Junior College Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road) Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Anglo-Chinese School (Junior) Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) Balestier Hill Primary School Bukit Batok Secondary School Catholic High School CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh) CHIJ St. Joseph’s Convent CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’ School (Secondary) Chung Cheng High School (Main) Clementi Town Secondary School Crescent Girls’ School Dunman High School Eunoia Junior College Evergreen Secondary School Fairfield Methodist School (Secondary) German European School Singapore Geylang Methodist School (Secondary) Hwa Chong Institution Kong Hwa School Manjusri Secondary School Maris Stella High School Meridian Junior College Methodist Girls’ School (Primary) Methodist Girls’ School (Secondary) Nan Hua Primary School Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Nanyang Girls’ High School Nanyang Junior College Nanyang Polytechnic
Nanyang Primary School Nanyang Technological University National University of Singapore Ngee Ann Secondary School NUS High School of Mathematics and Science Princess Elizabeth Primary School Raffles Girls’ Primary School Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary) Raffles Institution Republic Polytechnic River Valley High School Rosyth School School of the Arts, Singapore Singapore American School Singapore Chinese Girls’ School Singapore Management University Singapore Polytechnic St. Gabriel’s Secondary School St. Hilda’s Primary School St. Joseph’s Institution St. Joseph’s Institution International St. Margaret’s Primary School St. Margaret’s Secondary School St. Stephen’s Secondary School Tanjong Katong Girls’ School Tanjong Katong Secondary School Tao Nan School Temasek Junior College United World College of South East Asia Victoria Junior College Victoria School Whitley Secondary School Woodlands Ring Secondary School Yew Tee Primary School Yishun Primary School Zhonghua Secondary School
T R AG IC OV E R T UR E , OP. 81
Johannes Brahms Born 7 May 1833 (Hamburg, Germany) Died 3 April 1897 (Vienna, Austria)
Instrumentation Piccolo, 3 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, and strings
About the composer - Characterised as one of the “Three Bs” of great composers which included Ludwig van Beethoven and Johann Sebastian Bach. - Wrote four symphonies that were recognised as masterpieces of the canon. - Fell in love with Clara Schumann but their love for each other did not lead to marriage.
Significance of the work - One of the most tragic musical expressions from the 19th century. - Written as an antithesis to his Academic Festival Overture which was lively and energetic. Brahms also described to his friend Carl Reinecke that “one of them weeps, the other one laughs” when comparing the two works. - Ironically, Brahms did not suffer any tragedy or misfortunes when he composed the piece. Also, it was titled “Dramatic Overture” for a period of time before being called “Tragic Overture”. Although Brahms was not particularly fond of the name, his friends failed to provide an alternative, and thus the name “Tragic Overture” remained.
C E L LO C ONC E R TO NO. 1 IN C M A J OR HOB V IIB: 1 Franz Joseph Haydn Born 31 March 1732 (Rohrau, Austria) Died 31 May 1809 (Vienna, Austria)
Instrumentation 2 oboes, 2 horns, and strings
About the composer - Prolific and prominent Austrian composer of the Classical period. - Earned the epithets of “Father of the Symphony” for his work developing the symphony as a musical form over the span of 104 symphonies; and “Father of the String Quartet” for similar reasons. - Mentor of Mozart and teacher of Beethoven. - Widely celebrated composer in Europe during his lifetime and one of the three composers characterised as “The First Viennese School”, which included Mozart and Beethoven.
Significance of the work - Composed between 1761-1765 for his longtime friend, Joseph Franz Weigl, who was principal cellist in the orchestra of Prince Nikolaus Esterházy’s court.
PA S TOR A L E D’É T É (S UMME R PA S TOR A L E ) Arthur Honegger Born 10 March 1892 (Le Havre, France) Died 27 November 1955 (Paris, France)
Instrumentation Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, and strings
About the composer - Born in France to Swiss parents and studied at both the Zurich and Paris Conservatoire. - One of the composers in the prominent group of French composers named “Les Six”. - Had deep veneration for and considered J.S. Bach as his “great model”.
Significance of the work - Influenced by the Alpine surroundings during his trip to the Swiss Alps. - Won the Prix Verley, a prize decided by the audience members present at the concert. Programme notes by Pang Siu Yuin
F R A NC E S C A DA R IMINI, OP. 32 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Born 7 May 1840 (Votkinsk, Russia) Died 6 November 1893 (St. Petersburg, Russia)
Instrumentation Piccolo, 3 flutes, 2 oboes, English horn, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 cornets, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion (bass drum, cymbals, tam-tam), harp, and strings
About the composer - One of the best-known composers, noted for writing luscious melodies and grand works such as the 1812 Overture. - Spent time travelling outside of Russia from end-1875 until 1877, a period where he seemed to be in low spirits. This period included Francesca da Rimini (1876) as one of his great works. - Wrote many of his famous works between 1878 and his death in 1893, including his famous ballet, The Nutcracker (1892).
Significance of the work - A fantasy for orchestra, often described as a symphonic poem, written in 1876, and premiered in Moscow in 1877. - One of Tchaikovsky’s compositions based on a story about doomed lovers. - Based on a specific tale told in Canto V of Dante’s Inferno, a seminal 14th century work describing “The Poet” Dante’s allegorical journey through Hell. In the Second Circle of Hell, Dante sees people who have committed the sin of lust being tossed about in a whirlwind. - One of them is Francesca (from the town of Rimini), who tells of how she was tricked into marrying Giovanni Malatesta, but then fell in love with his handsome brother Paolo. One day the couple was reading the story of Lancelot and Guinevere and in the throes of love when they were caught by Giovanni, who kills them in anger. - Known for its vivid depiction of Dante’s scenes, and one of Tchaikovsky’s most beautiful melodies, the clarinet solo represents Francesca’s telling of her story. Programme note by Chng Hak-Peng
B R A HM S: T R AG IC OV E R T UR E , OP. 81 EXPOSITION
The development section begins similarly to the exposition but without the march-like rhythm.
After two forceful chords, the solo timpani roll leads to a theme with two distinct characters: a rising arpeggio melody answered by a descending line and a contrasting march-like dotted rhythm.
After strong declamatory restatements of the opening motifs, the texture changes with the oboe tossing snippets of the opening thematic material and the strings accompanying with tremolos.
DEVE
The violins play the melody over busy accompaniment in the lower strings. Before long, the music turns turbulent again with the brasses pitted against the strings.
The plaintive oboe plays a rising three-note phrase to a syncopated rhythm in the strings.
The music evolves into a slow quiet march with a dotted rhythm relentlessly driving it forward.
ELOPMENT
RECAPITULATION
The recapitulation is marked by the return of the quiet timpani roll with the rising arpeggio fragments from the opening theme being heard in the lower strings.
CODA
A brief respite occurs before the music builds up to the two forceful chords that opens the overture.
A brass chorale transitions to the lyrical melody previously played by the violins, this time appearing in the violas. This is followed by the turbulent section of the music with the full orchestra in outbursts of energetic playing.
With the woodwinds playing in hushed tones, the quiet does not last and is interrupted with the insistent entries in the strings leading to an exciting close. The strings and brass are pitted against each other and an emphatic statement of the opening theme is augmented via doubling of the note values.
H AY DN: C E L L O C ONC E R TO NO. 1 IN C M A J OR , HOB . V IIB: I All three movements of this concerto are written in Ritornello form. Ritornello means ‘little return’ in Italian. This musical structure, often used in Baroque concertos, alternates full orchestra sections with contrasting passages featuring the soloist. You can listen out for the important cadences, sometimes marked by a long trill, signalling the end of the each “return”. R = Ritornello
S = Solo
1st movement: Moderato R1: The orchestra introduces a spirited main theme.
S1: The cello makes its opening gesture with a full C major chord. The fast scales showcase the agility of the soloist.
R2: The main theme is now presented in the dominant key of G major.
S2: The large leaps in the passages shows off the virtuosity of the cello. Listen out for a change from major to a ‘darker’ minor mode.
R3: The orchestra ‘return’ shifts the mode back to the major key.
S3: After stating the main theme with much embellishment, the cello plays a cadenza, an unaccompanied improvisatory passage, reprising musical ideas in this movement.
R4: The main theme is presented again.
2nd movement: Adagio R1: A tender lyrical melody is played by the violins.
S1: Unlike the first movement, the entry of the cello begins as an accompaniment with a long sustained pedal note. The end of this section finds the cello playing in the high registers.
R2: The orchestra makes a short statement before the next solo cello entry.
S2: The calm of the music is interrupted with the shift to the minor mode together with dynamic contrasts.
3rd movement: Allegro molto R1: The orchestral introduction begins in a vivacious lighthearted character. The musical wit and humour, typical of Haydn, comes in the form of the use of (mostly large) interval leaps and fast repeated scale passages. In the middle section, the music shifts to the minor mode.
S1: The cello joins in the fun, seemingly extemporising on the material, with large leaps over an octave and double stops (playing of two notes at a time).
R2: This short ‘return’ echoes the dominant key of G major established by the cello in the previous section.
S2: The cello’s virtuosity and agility is on full display even as the tonal centre of the music shifts into the minor key.
R3: This return has both the orchestra and cello playing together.
R4: The orchestra comes in to bring the movement to a close.
S3: The cello makes its final entry playing the opening melody which leads to the cadenza.
R3: Starts in minor key and modulates back to the tonic key of C major.
S3: In this final entry of the cello, the solo starts with a long sustained note over the expected theme and reprises most of the material in this movement. In the minor mode passage, the cello plays in an even higher register, adding much drama to the music.
R4: The final orchestral section is marked by a prominent horn entry. However, the cello refuses to take a backseat and snatches control of the proceedings to lead the movement to a rousing end.
HONEG G E R : PA S TOR A L E D’É T É
The strings open with soft murmurings before the horn plays a simple soaring melody.
The mood changes in this transitional passage when the murmuring strings shifts into another pattern to accompany cascading notes in the flute and clarinet. The imitative birdcalls gets repeated.
The flute and clarinet add to the atmosphere of the pastoral awakening with their flutterings representing birdcalls.
The oboe takes over from the horn with a descending melody line.
The oboe takes over from the horn to play in canon with the violins.
The violins take up the soaring melody with the horn following in canon.
The middle section is a jovial dance with each of the woodwind instruments taking turns with a solo.
The opening soaring melody and murmuring strings returns with sprinkles of birdcalls and the dance theme.
The texture thickens with full participation of the entire orchestra in the dance theme.
The music quietens down with the soaring melody and dance theme played in the woodwinds to sustained notes in the strings.
TC H A IKOV SK Y: F R A NC E S C A DA R IMINI, OP. 32 Andante lugubre
Allegro vivo
Andante cantabile non troppo
Whirlwind motif Clarinet solo
Piu mosso moderato
Triplets motif
Walking into hell
The whirlwind
The music here, with its ambiguous harmonic progression, describes the Poet’s ominous further descent into the Second Circle of Hell.
The running scales depict the whirlwind vividly. The whirlwind is hurling those who have committed the sin of lust.
Francesca
Francesca tells her soulful clarinet sol and the melody is the cellos.
Allegro vivo Trombone melody motif Ascending flute motif
L’istesso tempo Triplet motif
tells her story
r story, represented by the lo. The music develops eventually picked up by
Horn requiem
Getting caught and murdered The cor anglais and harp lead us into the section that builds up into the climactic section where the couple are caught and murdered (loud crashes of cymbals).
Dante in shock The finale is loud, damning, and ends with the Poet’s collapse from pity for Francesca.
A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES ACROSS THE STARS TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD SSO
POPS CONCERT
31 August 2017
Esplanade Concert Hall
From space to detectives, aliens to Mohicans, SSO Associate Conductor Jason Lai takes you on a movie date night of music from the cinema. Take a flight with X-Wing fighters across Interstellar Star Wars, and play a Game of Shadows to find out What Lies Beneath. Jason Lai, conductor
Tickets: $28-$88 sistic.com.sg
SSO.ORG.SG
AC K NOW L E DG E ME N T S SNYO COMMITTEE Ms Liew Wei Li (Chairlady) Mr Ang Chek Meng Ms Vivien Goh Dr Kee Kirk Chin Mrs Valarie Wilson With support from Ministry of Education, Arts Education Branch Mrs Valarie Wilson Director, Arts Education Ms Amy Ser Deputy Director, Music & Drama Mr Hoo Cher Liek Senior Specialist, Music The Singapore National Youth Orchestra wishes to thank Professor Chan Heng Chee Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs National Arts Council Temasek Foundation Nurtures Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Tutors of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra Parents of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra members Principals of the participating schools
M A N AG E ME N T CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
ORCHESTRA MANAGEMENT
Mr Chng Hak-Peng
Mr Ernest Khoo (Head) Mr Chia Jit Min Ms Tan Wei Tian
CEO OFFICE Mr Edward Loh Mr Chris Yong SNYO OFFICE Ms Pang Siu Yuin (Head) Ms Shirin Foo Mr Tan Yong Qing Ms Tang Ya Yun DEVELOPMENT & SPONSORSHIP Ms Peggy Kek (Head) Mr Anthony Chng Ms Nikki Chuang Ms Zhang Jingchao MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS & CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE Ms Cindy Lim (Head) Mr Chia Han-Leon Ms Myrtle Lee Ms Hong Shu Hui Ms Melissa Tan Ms Cheryl Pek Ms Khairani Basman Ms Dacia Cheang Ms Nur Shafiqah Bte Othman CORPORATE SERVICES Mr Rick Ong (Head) Mr Alan Ong (Finance) Ms Goh Hoey Fen (Finance) Mr Mohamed Zailani bin Mohd Said HUMAN RESOURCES & ADMINISTRATION Mr Desmen Low Ms Shanti Govindasamy
Stage Management Ms Kimberly Kwa (Stage Manager) Ms Chin Rosherna Mr Ramayah Elango Mr Abdul Wahab bin Sakir Mr Mohamed Zailani bin Mohd Said Mr Muhammad Fariz bin Samsuri Mr Radin Sulaiman bin Ali LIBRARY Mr Lim Yeow Siang (Head) Mr Lim Lip Hua Ms Priscilla Neo PROGRAMMES (SSO) Ms Kua Li Leng (Head) Ms Teo Chew Yen Ms Jolene Yeo Community Outreach Ms Kathleen Tan Ms Vanessa Lee Choral Programmes Ms Regina Lee Ms Whitney Tan PROGRAMMES (VCH) Ms Michelle Yeo (Head) Ms Erin Tan ABRSM Ms Hay Su-San (Head) Ms Patricia Yee Ms Lai Li-Yng Mr Joong Siow Chong
GUANGZHOU SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA 广州青年交响乐团 HUAN JING
conductor
WANG JIAN
JIA LEI
sheng
13 August 2017
4pm, Victoria Concert Hall Guangzhou Symphony Youth Orchestra’s concert opens with two evocative pieces from Chinese composers: The Secret of Wind and Birds, Tan Dun's tone poem where the audience's mobile phones joins the orchestra in birdsong, and Lin Zhao’s Duo for Sheng, Cello and Orchestra, where acclaimed cellist Wang Jian and Sheng player Jia Lei tell a Chinese legend of a monk in search of Buddhist wisdom. From the East, they journey to the West with Vaughan Williams' sublime Serenade to Music in praise of music's beauty and concluding with the sunlit canopy and nightingale-touched dusk of Respighi's colourful Pines of Rome.
cello
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Tickets: $15-$35 sistic.com.sg
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