President's Young Performers Concert 29 Sep 2017

LAN SHUI Music Director

President’s Young Performers Concert 29 September 2017 Victoria Concert Hall Home of the SSO

Sponsored by

Joshua Tan, conductor Kang Chun Meng, euphonium

29 Sep 2017, Fri

President’s Young Performers Concert Singapore Symphony Orchestra Joshua Tan, conductor

ER YENN CHWEN

Symphonia Anamneseos, a Symphony of Remembrance 20’00

PHILIP WILBY

1. Kyrios 2. Megalyno 3. Invictus 4. Agon 5. Amnos

Euphonium Concerto (Singapore Premiere) 18’00

1. Non troppo allegro – Dance: Zeibekikos 2. Andante – Allegro vivace

Kang Chun Meng, euphonium Intermission 20’00 LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN

Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55 “Eroica” 47’00

1. Allegro con brio 2. Marcia funèbre: Adagio assai 3. Scherzo: Allegro vivace 4. Finale: Allegro molto

Concert duration: 2 hrs Go green. Digital programme booklets are available on www.sso.org.sg.

Scan the QR code in the foyer to view a copy.

Compose your Success at SIM

SIM has been an advocate of lifelong learning, long before they became buzzwords. For more than 50 years, we have been helping individuals and companies realise their full potential through skills and knowledge upgrading.

Whether you are a young student, aspiring entrepreneur, mid-career or C-suite executive looking for continual learning and growth, you will find something relevant to your needs from our wide range of education pathways, training courses and services.

As the leading provider of private education and training in Singapore, we remain committed to helping you succeed.

Discover the sound of your success with SIM.

About the SIM Group The Singapore Institute of Management (SIM Group) is the leading private provider of a diverse range of education pathways and professional training in Singapore, known for its philosophy of lifelong learning and the quality of its programmes. Founded in 1964 on the initiative of the Economic Development Board to support Singapore’s industrialisation, we are today a diverse and vibrant organisation with a wide range of programmes, activities and services. A professional society, SIM has more than 37,000 individual and corporate members who enjoy a suite of learning courses, published resources and networking events. The SIM Group offers its education and training services through four brands: SIM Global Education SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is the leading private education institution in Singapore. It offers more than 80 academic programmes ranging from its own diploma and graduate diploma courses to Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes with top ranking and reputable universities from Australia, Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States. Drawing about 20,000 full-time and part-time students and adult learners from over 40 countries, SIM GE adopts a holistic learning approach to equip students with a global edge. Besides building their intellect and skills needed to thrive at the workplace, SIM GE hones the soft skills of students through a wide range of career development and student life activities, amid a culturally diverse campus environment.

SIM International Academy SIM International Academy (SIM IA), a new education arm under SIM, offers Cambridge programmes developed and awarded by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), United Kingdom, to students aged 12 and up. The curriculum of SIM IA is designed to focus on applied learning in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) as well as the Humanities. Taught by faculty experienced in local and international curricula, students are nurtured to become curious learners, community builders and creative leaders. Beyond academics, students’ learning experience is enriched through co-curricular activities, service-learning and a boarding programme.

Students can also explore tertiary education pathways at SIM GE after graduating from SIM IA. SIM Professional Development SIM Professional Development (SIM PD) offers a holistic and immersive professional learning experience for C-suite executives and PMEs to grow their skills through training and exposure to top global thinking and management best practices. Our executive programmes, business insights events and professional interest groups plug learners in more ways than one into an extensive learning network to stay versatile, innovative and market ready. Over 11,000 professionals have benefited annually from these programmes. In addition, SIM PD offers companies customised learning solutions that optimally meet their organisational and business needs.

Platform E Platform E is more than an entrepreneurship programme, or an incubator or accelerator. It is Singapore’s most comprehensive entrepreneurship ecosystem that grows both the idea and the entrepreneur. It combines rigorous knowledge programmes with practical approaches to produce resilient entrepreneurial leaders with viable business plans. The programmes take place in a habitat and community conducive for building entrepreneurship. The 25,000 square feet co-working space is designed to immerse aspiring entrepreneurs in an environment where they can engage with like-minded people to germinate and cross-pollinate ideas, and test and arrive at solutions that will lead to business propositions.

ME S S AG E F R OM T HE S ING A P OR E S Y MP HON Y OR C HE S T R A A warm welcome to the President’s Young Performers Concert, back again in the beautiful home of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, the Victoria Concert Hall.

I want to express our appreciation and an especially warm welcome to President Halimah Yacob, who is here with us this evening at her first SSO concert as President.

This concert is an opportunity for some of Singapore's brightest young talents to share the stage with our national orchestra. Many of the young soloists of previous editions of this SSO flagship have gone on to pursue distinguished careers in music, and this year we are proud to present 21-year-old Kang Chun Meng, a young master of an instrument not often seen on the symphonic stage: the euphonium. A graduate of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Chun Meng is a professional musician in the Singapore Armed Forces Central Band, and Principal Euphonium of the Lion City Brass Band. Tonight he will perform the Euphonium Concerto by British composer Philip Wilby.

I wish to thank our sponsor, the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), for its continual support of the series for the past 17 years, since its inception in 2001.

Please join me in wishing our young soloist every success as he pursues his musical dreams in the years ahead. I wish you all a most enjoyable evening.

GOH YEW LIN CHAIRMAN SINGAPORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Message from the S ingapore Instit u te of M anagement German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel once said, “Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion”. I would add this: one life is all we have; a life lived with passion is a life well-lived.

For over 50 years, the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) has been passionate about empowering people through lifelong learning. We strongly believe that continual learning is not just a key determinant of success but an end worthy in itself.

Our doors are open to anyone who hungers to learn and our platforms for learning go beyond classrooms to embrace online learning and learning through sharing and networking.

Tonight, we are witnessing the passion of a young musical talent, Mr Kang Chun Meng. As we enjoy the fruit of his passion and that of the SSO musicians, let us also be inspired by the hard work and dedication they have put into this concert.

The countless hours they have spent in gruelling practice has enabled us to enjoy a splendid performance.

This is the 17th year that SIM is supporting the SSO President’s Young Performers Concert (PYPC). Tonight we are very honoured that President Halimah Yacob is here to grace her very first PYPC. We are also grateful to the SSO for this opportunity to support local young musicians in the pursuit of their love of music.

TAN SOO JIN CHAIRMAN, SIM GOVERNING COUNCIL SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT

Singapore S ymphony Orchestra ‘A fine display of orchestral bravado for the SSO and Shui’ The Guardian

Since its founding in 1979, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has been Singapore’s flagship orchestra, touching lives through classical music and providing the heartbeat of the cultural scene in the cosmopolitan city-state.

In addition to its subscription series concerts, the orchestra is well-loved for its outdoor and community appearances, and its significant role educating the young people of Singapore. The SSO has also earned an international reputation for its orchestral virtuosity, having garnered sterling reviews for its overseas tours and many successful recordings.

The SSO makes its performing home at the 1,800-seat state-of-the-art Esplanade Concert Hall. More intimate works and all outreach and community performances take place at the 673-

seat Victoria Concert Hall, the home of the SSO. The orchestra performs 100 concerts a year, and its versatile repertoire spans all-time favourites and orchestral masterpieces to exciting cutting-edge premieres. Bridging the musical traditions of East and West, Singaporean and Asian musicians and composers are regularly showcased in the concert season. This has been a core of the SSO’s programming philosophy from the very beginning under Choo Hoey, who was Music Director from 1979 to 1996.

Since Lan Shui assumed the position of Music Director in 1997, the SSO has performed in Europe, Asia and the United States. In May 2016 the SSO was invited to perform at the Dresden Music Festival and the Prague Spring International Music Festival. This successful five-

city tour of Germany and Prague also included the SSO’s return to the Berlin Philharmonie after six years. In 2014 the SSO’s debut at the 120th BBC Proms in London received critical acclaim in the major UK newspapers The Guardian and Telegraph. The SSO has also performed in China on multiple occasions.

Notable SSO releases under BIS include a Rachmaninov series, a Debussy disc, Seascapes featuring sea-themed music by Debussy, Frank Bridge, Glazunov and Zhou Long, and the firstever cycle of Tcherepnin’s piano concertos and symphonies. The SSO has also collaborated with such great artists as Lorin Maazel, Charles Dutoit, Gennady Rozhdestvensky, Neeme Järvi, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Lang Lang, Yo-Yo Ma, Leonidas Kavakos and Gil Shaham.

Joshu a Tan conductor

Second Prize winner of the 2008 Dimitris 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, Così fan tutte and was also cover conductor for Christoph Eschenbach and Lorin Maazel. Adept with film/multimedia, Tan is a Disneyapproved 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).

K ang C hun Meng euphonium

Born in 1996, Kang Chun Meng has been hailed as one of the most exciting young brass soloists in Singapore. Currently, he serves as a professional musician in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Central Band, and the Principal Euphonium of the Lion City Brass Band.

A graduate of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), Chun Meng first began learning the euphonium at the age of nine under the guidance of Singaporean euphonium player, Mr Ng Kok Hin, before moving on to British euphonium soloist Mark Glover from 2013 to 2016. He has also been tutored by renowned soloists such as Shoichiro Hokazono, Adam Frey and Steven Mead.

As a soloist, he has performed with several ensembles including the Singapore Wind Symphony, Philharmonic Youth Winds and the Singapore Sounds Orchestra, making him the first solo euphonium player in Singapore to perform with an orchestra.

With his undying passion for music, Chun Meng aims to push the limits of his instrument and aspires to become a world-class virtuoso, to bring the euphonium into the light it deserves both locally and abroad.

Chun Meng is the first Besson artist in Singapore, and performs on a Besson Prestige BE2052 Euphonium.

SUPERCHARGED SUNDAYS AT OSCAR’S Supercharge your afternoons at Oscar’s Sunday Brunch, from freshly shucked oysters, Boston lobsters, to premium roast London duck and free flow champagne. Balance all that indulgence at the 4 metre-long salad bar, chilled shakes and organic pastas prepared by chefs at the theatrical stations.

Specially for Friends of SSO, enjoy 20% off total bill.

For reservations, visit www.connoisseur.sg or call 6432 7481 Prior reservations necessary. Subject to availability. Black-out dates apply. A valid Friends card must be produced. Discount cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions, discounts or vouchers.

centennial singapore Two Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038982

Phone +65 6334 8888

ConradSingapore.com

SSO MU SIC I A NS Lan Shui Music Director joshua tan Associate Conductor jason lai Associate Conductor andrew litton Principal Guest Conductor Choo Hoey Conductor Emeritus Eudenice Palaruan Choral Director

FIRST VIOLIN Igor Yuzefovich° Concertmaster, The GK Goh Chair Lynnette Seah Co-Concertmaster Kong Zhao Hui* Associate Concertmaster Chan Yoong-Han Fixed Chair Cao Can* Chen Da Wei Duan Yu Ling Foo Say Ming Gu Wen Li Jin Li Cindy Lee Sui Jing Jing Karen Tan William Tan Wei Zhe SECOND VIOLIN Michael Loh Associate Principal Hai-Won Kwok Fixed Chair Nikolai Koval* Chikako Sasaki* Margit Saur Shao Tao Tao Lillian Wang Wu Man Yun* Xu Jue Yi* Ye Lin*

Yeo Teow Meng Yin Shu Zhan* Zhang Si Jing* VIOLA Zhang Manchin Principal Guan Qi Associate Principal Gu Bing Jie* Fixed Chair Marietta Ku Lim Chun^ Luo Biao Shui Bing Tan Wee-Hsin Janice Tsai^ Yang Shi Li CELLO Ng Pei-Sian Principal Yu Jing Associate Principal Guo Hao Fixed Chair Chan Wei Shing Song Woon Teng Wang Yan Wang Zihao* Peter Wilson Wu Dai Dai Zhao Yu Er DOUBLE BASS Guennadi Mouzyka Principal Yang Zheng Yi Associate Principal Karen Yeo Fixed Chair Olga Alexandrova Jacek Mirucki Wang Xu FLUTE Jin Ta Principal Evgueni Brokmiller Associate Principal Roberto Alvarez Miao Shanshan PICCOLO Roberto Alvarez Assistant Principal OBOE Rachel Walker Principal Pan Yun Associate Principal Carolyn Hollier Elaine Yeo

COR ANGLAIS Elaine Yeo Associate Principal

TUBA Hidehiro Fujita Principal

CLARINET Ma Yue Principal Li Xin Associate Principal Liu Yoko Tang Xiao Ping

TIMPANI Christian Schiøler Principal Jonathan Fox Associate Principal

BASS CLARINET Tang Xiao Ping Assistant Principal BASSOON Liu Chang Associate Principal Christoph Wichert Zhao Ying Xue

PERCUSSION Jonathan Fox Principal Mark Suter Associate Principal Lim Meng Keh Zhu Zheng Yi HARP Gulnara Mashurova Principal

CONTRA BASSOON Zhao Ying Xue Assistant Principal HORN Han Chang Chou Principal Gao Jian Associate Principal Jamie Hersch Associate Principal Marc-Antoine Robillard Associate Principal Hoang Van Hoc^ Kartik Alan Jairamin TRUMPET Jon Paul Dante Principal David Smith Associate Principal Lau Wen Rong Sergey Tyuteykin TROMBONE Allen Meek Principal Damian Patti Associate Principal Samuel Armstrong BASS TROMBONE Wang Wei Assistant Principal

* With deep appreciation to the Rin Collection for their generous loan of string instruments. ° Igor Yuzefovich plays an instrument generously loaned by Mr & Mrs G K Goh ^ Musician on temporary contract Musicians listed alphabetically rotate their seats on a per programme basis.

upcoming concerts

5 October 2017

Thu | 7.30pm Esplanade Concert Hall Subscription Concert

STEVEN ISSERLIS • ELGAR CELLO CONCERTO SUK Scherzo Fantastique, Op. 25 ELGAR Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 GLAZUNOV Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major, Op. 55 Darrell Ang, conductor Steven Isserlis, cello Pre-concert Talk 6.30pm | Esplanade Concert Hall Foyer

14 October 2017

Sat | 7.30pm Esplanade Concert Hall Subscription Concert

STEPHEN HOUGH • RACHMANINOV PIANO CONCERTO 1 LUTOSLAWSKI Symphony No.4 RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp minor, Op. 1 SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No.1 in F minor, Op. 10 Hannu Lintu, conductor Stephen Hough, piano OPEN REHEARSAL 14 Oct, 9.30am - 12pm | Esplanade Concert Hall | Open to public Pre-concert Talk 6.30pm | library@esplanade

mu sician chairs

igor yuzefovich Concertmaster The GK Goh Chair The GK Goh Chair is endowed by the Family and Friends of Mr Goh Geok Khim

GUO HAO Fixed Chair Cello The Fixed Chair Cello is supported by

C ORP OR AT E SE AT S The Singapore Symphony Orchestra appreciates the support of companies in our Corporate Seats scheme. The scheme supports the Orchestra through regular attendance of subscription concerts. $20,000 and above Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore (Pte) Ltd

Up to $10,000 Hong Leong Foundation Nomura Asset Management Singapore Ltd Prima Limited Santa Lucia Asset Management Stephen Riady Group of Foundations

This list is for donations from 1 Jun 2016 to 25 Aug 2017.

For more information or to make a donation, please contact the Development & Sponsorship Team at 6602 4238 / 6602 4237 or peggykek@sso.org.sg.

heartfe lt thanks to the family and F RIE NDS of mr goh geok khim In appreciation of a major gift from the Family and Friends of Mr Goh Geok Khim on the occasion of his 85th birthday on 17 July 2017, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the naming of the SSO Concertmaster position, the GK Goh Chair.

Igor Yuzefovich Concertmaster The GK Goh Chair Endowed by the Family and Friends of Mr Goh Geok Khim

A S tanding Ovation to our Donors and sponsors PATRON SPONSOR

Tote Board Group (Tote Board, Singapore Pools & Singapore Turf Club) $700,000 and above

Temasek Foundation Nurtures CLG Ltd $100,000 and above

Christopher Ho & Rosy Ho Interchem Pte Ltd Anonymous $50,000 and above

John Swire & Sons (S.E. Asia) Pte Ltd Tan Chin Tuan Foundation Joseph Grimberg Lee Foundation, Singapore Kingsmen Exhibits Pte Ltd Mr & Mrs Goh Yew Lin GK Goh Holdings Limited NSL Ltd TransTechnology Private Limited Aquilus Pte Ltd

$20,000 and above Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore Pte Ltd Singapore Institute of Management Keppel Care Foundation Stephen Riady Group of Foundations Far East Organization Mr and Mrs Goh Geok Khim United Overseas Bank Limited UPP Holdings Limited Eugene Lai Chin Look Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi Martin Dorothy Chan Ms Paige Parker and Mr Jim Rogers

$10,000 and above Dr and Mrs Thomas Zuellig Foundation Prince Albert II of Monaco S R Nathan Lim and Tan Securities Pte Ltd At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy Pte Ltd BinjaiTree Boardroom Limited DBS Bank Limited Hi-P International Limited Hong Leong Foundation LGT Bank (Singapore) Ltd Marina Bay Sands Pte Ltd Nomura Asset Management Singapore Ltd OSIM International Limited Prima Limited PSA International Private Limited Resorts World at Sentosa Pte Ltd Van Cleef and Arpels Tan Kong Piat (Pte) Limited Choo Chiau Beng

Mr and Mrs Wong Ngit Liong Kris Foundation JCCI Singapore Foundation Limited Holywell Foundation Limited Pontiac Land Group One North Capital Pte Ltd Saga Tree Capital Advisors Pte Ltd Anonymous Christina Ong Doris and Andreas Sohmen-Pao Geoffrey Wong & Ai Ai Wong

Tan Choo Leng Christine Yeh David Ong Eng Hui Anonymous Prof Chan Heng Chee Lito and Kim Camacho Amy and Kevin Gould Anonymous Andress Goh Lai Yan Lee Li-Ming Anonymous Olivia Lum Kim Teo Poh Jin Pauline Chan and Jean Nasr Yong Pung How Maisy Koh and Dr Beh Swan Gin Prof Cham Tao Soon Leong Wai Leng Liew Wei Li Desmond Lim Yu Jin

$5,000 and above Juliana and Clemente Benelli Prof Arnoud De Meyer Ross & Florence Jennings Mr and Mrs Tan Vern Han AIA Singapore Private Limited ComfortDelgro Corporation Limited CV Shipping Pte Ltd F & N Foods Pte Ltd Fullerton Fund Management Company Ltd Loke Cheng Kim Foundation Devika and Sanjiv Misra Sharon Chandran

Lin Diaan-Yi Anonymous Electrolux S.E.A. Pte Ltd Cham Gee Len Grace Fu Hai Yien Chng Hak-Peng Anonymous Manju Vangal Prof and Mrs Lim Seh Chun Goh Sze Wei Mr and Mrs W K Leong Tan Sook Yee

$1,000 and above Thorsten Walther Christian Rothenbuehler Johanes Oeni Schroder Investment Management (Singapore) Ltd Dr Tan Chin Nam Anonymous Jullie Kan Ronald and Janet Stride Robin Ian Rawlings Chartered Asset Management Private Limited Prive Clinic Pte Ltd Xeitgeist Entertainment Group Pte Ltd Bernhard Steiner Daniel Bijaoui Eric Wong Guy J P Hentsch Ivy Teh Julian and Sandra Chang Ng Keng Hooi Tan Khai Hee Kris Wiluan Lawrence Basapa Anonymous Marie Elaine Teo Tong Moi Eng Leow Oon Geok Patrick Chong Chong Siak Ching Ho Soo Foo Leong Yoke Chun Electronics & Engineering Pte Ltd Kim Woon Soo Shih Chih-Lung Coutte Didier Chong Mi-Li Pamela Gael Bomblian Cambridge Therapeutics Pte Ltd Jean Yip Salon Pte Ltd JW Central Pte Ltd Robert Khan & Co Private Limited Sara Taseer Fine Jewellery Pte Ltd Dr Ho Ching Lin (SNEC) Wilmar International Limited Cynthia Chee Bin Eng Gan Chee Yen Connie Chaird Fong Ei Lie Lim Eng Neo Gajardo Eugenia Carmichael Heather Lin John Hsu Lai Kenneth Mark Wong Kevin Ong Lee Fong Lau Leok Yee Lau Kheng Tiong

Yeo Ning Hong Somalingam Radakrishnan Frances Low Richard Smith Sheila Patel Gao Sheng Ho Soh Choon Lee Suan Yew Lim Swee Lin Wong Yik Mun Ng Yong Ngee Aznan Abu Bakar Pauline Ang Hooi Yeong Cees & Raife Armstrong Kanti Bajpai Marcie Ann Ball Bao Zhiming Steven L Bernasek John & Eliza Bittleston Michel Blanc Chai Huei Chuen Chan Wai Leong Christopher Chen Cheng Wei Margaret Chew Sing Seng Shang Thong Kai and Tiffany Choong Jennie Chua Kheng Yeng Maureen Derooij Ridzuan Farouk Warren Fernandez Christopher John Fussner Brian Holt Gambrill Rolf Gerber Goh Chiu Gak Jerry Gwee Mark Edward Hansen Donald Harding William H Hernstadt Susanna Ho Choon Mei Liwen Holmes Richard Jerram Matthew G Johnson Patrick Johnson Lilian Khoo Khor Cheng Kian AndrĂŠ Klein Belinda Koh Yuh Ling Takashi Kousaka Michael Kuschel Kwee Nee Chia Irene Lai Kim Peng Mitchell Vincent Lam Ho Ming Matthew Latham Janin Lau Ying Hui Eugene Lee Lee Shu Yen Siong Ted Lee

This list is for donations from 1 Jul 2016 to 30 Jun 2017.

Leong Keng Hong Xiao Li Bettina Lieske Alvin Liew Lim Hong Eng Janet Richard Logan Michelle Loh Loh Pong Tuan Loke Sin Hun Jeffrey Victor Loo Low Boon Hon Donny Low Low Fatt Kin Low Nguok Kwong Mah Li Lien Eunice Adelina Mah Li Ting Andre Maniam Craig McTurk Gillian Metzger Joseph Mocanu Azima Moiz Mr & Mrs Willem Mark Nabarro David Neo Chin Wee Hunter Nield Todd On Monica Pitrelli Anonymous Derek Quah Jonathan Reiter Charles Robertson Andreas Ruschkowski Bernard Jean Sabrier See Tho Kai Yin Naoyoshi Nick Shimoda Jeremy Snoad Bo Sun Tan Boon Ngee Joyce Tan Tan Kok Kiong Anonymous Ivan Tan Meng Cheng Giles Tan Ming Yee Ms Tan Poh Lian Phyllis Robert Tan Daniel Tando Teo Ee Peng Tian Xiaoye Mr & Mrs Neil Tottman Arudra Vangal Peter White Wong Liang Keen Wu Peichan Valerie Satoru Yano Vanessa Yeo David Harris Zemans

ER YENN CHWEN ( b. 1965 ) Symphonia Anamneseos, a Symphony of Remembrance 20’00 Symphonia Anamneseos, transliterated from Greek, literally means “music of remembrance produced by several voices.� Scored for full symphony orchestra in five movements, it does not have any structural semblance to the classical or romantic symphony.

The Kyrios (Lord) begins with stately F-sharp chords punctuated by the timpani and low strings, interjected with colourful chords initially exclaimed in dotted rhythm on the woodwinds and then the brass and strings together. The majestic opening gradually subsides to a quiet flowing melody first announced by the clarinet, which serves as the unifying theme of the entire work. Amidst the shimmering labyrinth, echoes from the opening call out antiphonally from different sections of the orchestra. As the interwoven textures fade to silence, the melody is announced once again by the horn, surrounded by tremolo strings and heavenly echoes, drifting into the unfathomable beyond.

The Megalyno (Exultation) is a quasi-fugato in the style of a scherzo. The joyous fugal subject presents itself in many guises. Initially introduced by the flute and tossed around the woodwind, it is later given to the brass and percussion with complex metre changes. The entire movement is scored in a texture resembling chamber music, instruments combined in delicate collaboration. With a mischievous rhythm, the percussion presents the third fugal section. The climax drops to a soft but energetic final episode. The theme returns mysteriously in the woodwinds before the explosively brilliant ending.

The Invictus (Unconquerable) is a stark contrast to the mercurial Megalyno. Inspired by the 1849 poem by William Ernest Henley, it explores the dark side and defiant nature of the human will, striving to be "master of my fate" and "captain of my soul." The movement opens with aggressive brass chords that lead to a frenzied climax, diving into passages of angry pulsating chords in the strings and woodwinds.

After a sad and solemn middle section, a ghostly interplay between the strings and woodwinds builds to an ultimate expression of defiance portrayed by the downward leap of the major 7th interval and the opening portion of the theme in shrill unison.

The Agon (Struggle) begins with a brief moment of repose, harking back to the peaceful and ethereal opening movement. The pace soon quickens and underneath the turmoil, the theme advances steadily but inevitably toward the Tempo di valse, in which the struggle and turmoil gradually subsides. A portion of the Kyrios is recalled at the end.

The Amnos (Lamb) is a song of adoration and praise. The inverted theme is first heard in the strings and then the brass. The elegant valse returns, surrounded by the dotted rhythm from Kyrios. It relaxes to a final appearance of the inverted theme soaring in the first violins while the woodwind answers with a seamless ascending scale that dissipates into the heavens.

Programme note by Er Yenn Chwen

26 October 2017 7.30pm I Victoria Concert Hall A renowned international organist popular for her sold-out silent film programmes, Dorothy Papadakos brings the Phantom of the Opera film’s raw terror to justice on the magnificent organ with an imaginatively improvised score that is sure to frighten even the Concert Hall’s resident Phantom.

We invite you to dress in your best Halloween costume!

Film screening of the 1929 Phantom of the Opera silent film - “The 1929 silent horror film classic THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA starring Lon Chaney, the Man of a Thousand Faces”

Tickets: $20 Concessions: $15 I Family of 4 package: 20%

PATRON SPONSOR

SPONSORED BY

SSO.ORG.SG/VCHORGAN

PHILIP WILBY ( b. 1949 ) Euphonium Concerto 18’00 Born in 1949, Philip Wilby studied music at Oxford University, and performed as a violinist in the Academy of Ancient Music and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. He was a lecturer at the University of Leeds from 1972, teaching composition amongst other modules. It was in 1991 when the BBC-commissioned Paganini Variations launched his reputation as a major band composer. The Variations became remarkably popular and has been performed by many school and community bands. Today, while Wilby has composed for varied instruments, ensembles and choruses, he is still best known as a composer for the band, and has been commissioned to write works for major band competitions worldwide.

Commissioned by Robert Childs for his graduate recital at the University of Leeds, the Euphonium Concerto was completed on New Year’s Eve in 1995, and premiered by Childs in 1996. Childs requested for challenging parts in the Concerto – passages at extreme registers, triple tonguing, and soft high notes. Childs also extended several fast passages and changed a scalic run to a glissando at the end of the piece, with the intention of being able to showcase the full range of techniques available on the euphonium. These suggestions were included as optional ossia passages by Wilby.

The Euphonium Concerto is in four movements, organised into two parts. The first movement opens with a flourish, before its two themes are introduced – an aggressively rhythmic one, complemented by a more lyrical tune. Wilby had originally planned to subtitle this movement “Sarajevo Song”, after the Yugoslav War which was raging at that time, but “then that turned sour” so he decided against it. The movement segues without a break into the quick and rhythmic dance-like second movement which evokes the Zeibekiko dance – a Greek folk dance which involves lifting tables with the dancer’s teeth and even some plate-smashing.

In Wilby’s words, Part Two opens with “the emotional heart of the composition” in the third movement, “with an exploratory section which re-examines some of the opening material surrounded by cadenzas,” and a “simple cantilena.” After some introspection, the music builds up to launch the fourth movement, “with a rapid fugal section, [moving] inexorably towards a climatic return of the music of the opening bars of the work.”

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN ( 1 7 7 0 - 1 8 2 7 ) Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55 “Eroica” 47’00 For several years, Beethoven had intended to name a symphony after General Napoleon Bonaparte. He began work on this symphony in 1803, shortly after finishing his Second Symphony the year before. In May 1804, after learning that General-turned-First Consul Bonaparte had declared himself Emperor of the French, Beethoven’s student Ferdinand Ries recounted that the composer “went to the table, took hold of the title page by the top, tore it in two, and threw it to the floor.”

Another account states that Beethoven took a knife and scratched out the words “intitulata Bonaparte” (entitled Bonaparte) from the title page. When the Symphony was finally published, the title page indicated “Sinfonia Eroica (Heroic Symphony) … composed to celebrate the memory of a great man.”

There is also a heroic figure evoked in this Symphony – the Titan Prometheus from Greek mythology, who created humanity, stole fire from the Greek gods and gave it to mankind, and was condemned to eternal punishment. Beethoven had written a ballet, The Creatures of Prometheus, in 1801, based on this myth, from which a theme from the ballet’s finale features in the Eroica.

The Symphony confounded the audience of its day, with critics writing that, in addition to having “too much that is glaring and bizarre”, it was “unendurable to the mere music lover” and just too long. Beethoven acknowledged this particular problem, noting in the preface to the first edition that “This symphony, being purposely written at greater length than usual, should be played nearer the beginning than the end of a concert … lest, if it is heard too late when the audience are fatigued by the previous pieces, it should lose its proper and intended effect.” Today, the Eroica is regarded as one of the greatest and most revolutionary works of western art music.

Two strident chords start the first movement, and the cellos sail ahead with the swinging main theme of this movement, which Edward Downes has suggested may have been derived from the Prometheus theme of the finale. It quickly gives way to a dialogue between the various wind instruments, before it returns and dominates the landscape, trying to resolve its inbuilt harmonic tension. The tension however continues to build, into what Downes called “an explosion of harmonic dissonance and syncopated rhythms that seem a cataclysm of nature”, after which Beethoven continued to confound expectations, by having the horn enter the recapitulation “early”. Ries recalled, “At the first rehearsal of the Symphony…thinking that a blunder had been made, I said: ‘Can’t the damned hornist count?—it sounds horribly false!’ I think I came pretty close to getting a box on the ear.”

A shuddering funeral march pervades the second movement, setting the symphonic precedent for Wagner’s and Mahler’s great funeral marches. It is continuously pushed

forward by the basses, and two interludes offer a respite from the sombre atmosphere.

The first, led by the winds, provide some radiance to illuminate proceedings, and the second strengthens the march into a determined double fugue. Downes opined that Beethoven “portrayed heroism, or rather, heroic grief” in this movement.

A brisk and often very quietly performed third movement ensues, its relentless motion providing a strong onward drive, with a trio of horns evoking some rural hunting memories. George Grove hailed this scherzo as “the very first time the traditional diversion (the scherzo, or minuet) was invested with a proportion and breadth to compare with the other movements of a symphony.”

Beethoven fashions a titanic set of eleven variations and coda from the Prometheus theme in the fourth movement. Beginning with the bass line before the theme comes in, he creates a remarkable variety of ideas – with fugues, virtuoso moments, and even a rural dance. At the same time, he also captures humorous, graceful, apprehensive and solemn moments in between, before a glorious coda concludes this revolutionary masterpiece.

Programme notes by Christopher Cheong

Empowering lives.

Nurturing communities.

We believe in building a sustainable future with the community – wherever we operate. In more than 30 countries, we reach out and give back through lending a hand to the needy and under-privileged, promoting education, caring for the environment as well as cultivating appreciation of the arts.

We make it a part of our business to lay the foundation for a brighter future, one upon which successive generations will thrive.

Keppel Corporation Limited 1 HarbourFront Avenue #18-01 Keppel Bay Tower Singapore 098632 I www.kepcorp.com

board of directors & C OMMI T T E e S board of directors Mr Goh Yew Lin (Chairman) Ms Yong Ying-I (Deputy Chairman) Mr Ang Chek Meng Mrs Odile Benjamin Mr Chng Hak-Peng Mr Lionel Choi Prof Arnoud De Meyer Mr Heinrich Grafe Mr Kwee Liong Seen Ms Liew Wei Li Ms Lim Mei Prof Lim Seh Chun Mr Andreas Sohmen-Pao Ms Tan Choo Leng Mr Paul Tan Dr Kelly Tang Mr Yee Chen Fah Nominating and Executive Committee Mr Goh Yew Lin (Chairman) Mr Paul Tan Ms Yong Ying-I

Endowment Fund Committee Mr Goh Yew Lin (Chairman) Mr David Goh Mr Paul Supramaniam Mr Anthony Teo

Ms Liew Wei Li (Chairlady) Mr Ang Chek Meng Ms Vivien Goh Dr Kee Kirk Chin Mrs Valarie Wilson

SSO Council

SSO LADIES’ LEAGUE

Prof Cham Tao Soon (Chairman) Mr Alan Chan Ms Chew Gek Khim Mr Choo Chiau Beng Dr Geh Min Mr Goh Geok Khim Mr Khoo Boon Hui Prof Tommy Koh Mr JY Pillay Dr Stephen Riady Ms Priscylla Shaw Dr Gralf Sieghold Mr Andreas Sohmen-Pao Dr Tan Chin Nam Ms Tan Choo Leng Mr Tan Soo Nan Mr Wee Ee Cheong

Mrs Odile Benjamin (Chairlady) Mrs Kwan Lui (Deputy Chairlady) Mrs Celeste Basapa Mrs Maisy Beh Mrs Kim Camacho Mrs Rosy Ho Ms Judy Hunt Prof Annie Koh Dr Julie Lo Mrs Clarinda TjiaDharmadi-Martin Ms Paige Parker Ms Kris Tan Ms Manju Vangal Mrs Grace Yeh

Audit Committee Mr Yee Chen Fah (Chairman) Mr Kwee Liong Seen Ms Lim Mei

SNYO Committee

Musicians’ Committee Mr Chan Wei Shing Mr Jon Paul Dante Mr Jamie Hersch Mr Ng Pei-Sian Mr Mark Suter Mr Christoph Wichert Mr Yeo Teow Meng

M A N AG E ME N T CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Mr Chng Hak-Peng

CEO OFFICE

PROGRAMMES (SSO)

Mr Edward Loh Mr Chris Yong

Ms Kua Li Leng (Head) Ms Teo Chew Yen Ms Jolene Yeo

ORCHESTRA MANAGEMENT Mr Ernest Khoo (Head) Mr Chia Jit Min Ms Tan Wei Tian 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

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 DEVELOPMENT & SPONSORSHIP Ms Peggy Kek (Head) Ms Leong Wenshan Mr Anthony Chng Ms Nikki Chuang 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 Ms Melissa Lee SINGAPORE NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA Ms Pang Siu Yuin (Head) Ms Shirin Foo Mr Tan Yong Qing Ms Tang Ya Yun ABRSM Ms Hay Su-San (Head) Ms Patricia Yee Ms Lai Li-Yng Mr Joong Siow Chong

Supporting the Local Arts and Cultural Scene Partner of SSO since 1978 NSL is a long-standing sponsor for Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO). We have been instrumental in helping the Orchestra reach out to the community-at-large as SSO brings music to the world.

A leading industrial group in the Asia Pacific with businesses in Precast & Prefabricated Bathroom Unit and Environmental Services, NSL believes that while achieving business goals is important, its actions need to also create a positive impact on the community, environment and all stakeholders.

NSL LTD 77 Robinson Road #27-00 Robinson 77 Singapore 068896 Tel: 6536 1000 I Fax: 6536 1008 I www.nsl.com.sg

PATRON SPONSOR

Tote Board Group

OFFICIAL AIRLINE

OFFICIAL HOTEL

OFFICIAL TRAINING PARTNER

OFFICIAL RADIO STATION

OFFICIAL OUTDOOR MEDIA PARTNERS

OFFICIAL POSTAGE SPONSOR

SPONSORS LEE FOUNDATION

SUPPORTED BY

The Singapore Symphony Orchestra is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and registered under the Charities Order.

SSO.ORG.SG