Singapore Symphony Orchestra Dec 2025

Concert Programmes 12 & 13 Dec 2025

Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert 19 Dec 2025

Hans Graf & Churen Li

Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert presented by

To recognize our donors’ continued support towards the national orchestra, we offer a more personalized way for you to make a mark in the Home of the SSO, with a dedicated plaque on your preferred seat at the Victoria Concert Hall.

Selected seats are up for adoption in donation tiers of $8,000, $15,000, $25,000*

WANG XU DOUBLE BASS

SUPPORT THE SSO You help to secure the future of the national orchestra.

CINDY LEE FIRST VIOLIN

You enable the SSO to present more world-class performances at the Victoria Concert Hall.

You support SSO children’s programmes that nurture the next generations’ appreciation of the arts and culture.

SCAN FOR MORE DETAILS For more details, please write to director_development@sso.org.sg Tax deduction of 2.5 times the value of your donation may apply (for tax residents of Singapore). *Patron benefits apply.

Dec

2025

Foundation × SSO 20 Temasek Christmas Concert Fri & Sat, 12 & 13 Dec 2025 Esplanade Concert Hall

29 Hans Graf & Churen Li Fri, 19 Dec 2025 Esplanade Concert Hall

For the enjoyment of all patrons during the concert: Please switch off or silence all electronic devices.

No photography, video or audio recording is allowed when artists are performing.

Please minimise noises during performance. If unavoidable, wait for a loud section in the music.

Non-flash photography is allowed only during bows and applause when no performance is taking place.

Go green. Digital programme books are available on www.sso.org.sg.

Photographs and videos will be taken at these events, in which you may appear. These may be published on the SSO’s publicity channels and materials. By attending the event, you consent to the use of these photographs and videos for the foregoing purposes.

Cover image: Jay Chua

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Singapore Symphony Orchestra 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 with its 44week calendar of events.

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 through its school programmes. The SSO has also earned an international reputation for its orchestral virtuosity, having garnered sterling reviews for its overseas tours and many successful recordings. In 2021, the SSO clinched third place in the prestigious Orchestra of the Year Award by Gramophone. In 2022, BBC Music Magazine named the SSO as one of the 23 best orchestras in the world.

From the 2026/27 season, the SSO will be led

by Finnish conductor Hannu Lintu, the fourth Music Director in the orchestra’s history after Choo Hoey (1979–1996), Lan Shui (1997– 2019) and Hans Graf (2020–2026).

The orchestra performs over 60 concerts a year, and its versatile repertoire spans alltime 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. The SSO makes its performing home at the 1,800-seat state-of-the-art Esplanade Concert Hall. More intimate works, as well as community performances take place at the 673-seat Victoria Concert Hall, the Home of the SSO. Beyond Singapore, the SSO has performed in Europe, Asia, Australia and the United States.

In the 2024/25 season, the SSO performed to full houses at Asia Orchestra Week in Kyoto, Japan, and made its “dazzling – and true-blue – Down Under debut” (Limelight) in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. 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 second performance at the Berlin Philharmonie. In 2014, the SSO’s debut at the 120th BBC Proms in London received praise in major UK newspapers The Guardian and The Telegraph. The SSO has also performed in China on multiple occasions.

The SSO has released more than 50 recordings, with over 30 on the BIS label.

Recent critically acclaimed albums include Herrmann’s Wuthering Heights (Chandos) and Scriabin – Poems of Ecstasy and Fire (BIS).

A complete Mozart Violin Concerto cycle with Singaporean violinist Chloe Chua conducted by Hans Graf is released in 2025 on Pentatone.

The SSO also leads the revival and recording of significant works such as Kozłowski’s Requiem, Ogerman’s Symbiosis (after Bill Evans) and violin concertos by Robert Russell Bennett and Vernon Duke.

The SSO has collaborated with such great artists as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Gustavo Dudamel, Charles Dutoit, Joe Hisaishi, Neeme Järvi, Lorin Maazel, Martha Argerich, Diana Damrau, Janine Jansen, Leonidas Kavakos, Lang Lang, Yo-Yo Ma, Mischa Maisky, Gil Shaham, Daniil Trifonov and Krystian Zimerman.

The Group’s vision is to be a leading arts organization that engages, inspires and reflects Singapore through musical excellence.

Our mission is to create memorable shared experiences with music. Through the SSO and its affiliated performing groups, we spread the love for music, nurture talent and enrich our diverse communities.

© JACK YAM

The SSO is part of the Singapore Symphony Group, which also manages the Singapore Symphony Choruses, the Singapore National Youth Orchestra, the Singapore International Piano Festival and the biennial National Piano & Violin Competition.

The Orchestra Hans Graf

Quantedge Music Director

Rodolfo Barráez Associate Conductor

Lan Shui

Conductor Laureate

Eudenice Palaruan Choral Director

Wong Lai Foon Choirmaster

Ellissa Sayampanathan

Second Violin Sayuri Kuru Associate Principal Nikolai Koval* Hai-Won Kwok Renyu Martin Peh^ Margit Saur Shao Tao Tao Wu Man Yun* Xu Jueyi* Yin Shu Zhan* Zhao Tian

Viola Manchin Zhang Principal, Tan Jiew Cheng Chair Guan Qi Associate Principal Gu Bing Jie* Assistant Principal Chen Li Marietta Ku Luo Biao Julia Park Shui Bing Janice Tsai Dandan Wang Yang Shi Li

Assistant Choral Conductor

Cello First Violin (Position vacant) Concertmaster, GK Goh Chair David Coucheron Co-Principal Guest Concertmaster Kevin Lin Co-Principal Guest Concertmaster Kong Zhao Hui1 Associate Concertmaster Chan Yoong-Han2 Assistant Principal Cao Can* Duan Yu Ling Foo Say Ming Jin Li Kong Xianlong Cindy Lee Karen Tan William Tan Wei Zhe Ye Lin* Zhang Si Jing

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Ng Pei-Sian Principal, The HEAD Foundation Chair Yu Jing Associate Principal Guo Hao Assistant Principal Chan Wei Shing Christopher Mui Jamshid Saydikarimov Song Woon Teng Wang Yan Wu Dai Dai Zhao Yu Er

Double Bass Yang Zheng Yi Acting Principal Karen Yeo Assistant Principal Po-Yu Fang Victor Lee Jacek Mirucki Wang Xu

Flute

Horn

Jin Ta Principal, Stephen Riady Chair Evgueni Brokmiller Associate Principal Roberto Alvarez Miao Shanshan

Austin Larson Principal Gao Jian Associate Principal Jamie Hersch Associate Principal Marc-Antoine Robillard Associate Principal Bryan Chong Hoang Van Hoc

Piccolo Roberto Alvarez Assistant Principal

Trumpet

Oboe

Jon Paul Dante Principal David Smith Associate Principal Lau Wen Rong Nuttakamon Supattranont

Rachel Walker Principal Pan Yun Associate Principal Carolyn Hollier Elaine Yeo

Cor Anglais

Trombone

Elaine Yeo Associate Principal

Allen Meek Principal Damian Patti Associate Principal Samuel Armstrong

Clarinet

Bass Trombone

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

Wang Wei Assistant Principal

Tuba Tomoki Natsume Principal

Bass Clarinet

Timpani

Tang Xiao Ping Assistant Principal

Christian Schiøler Principal Mario Choo

Bassoon Guo Siping Principal Liu Chang Associate Principal Christoph Wichert Zhao Ying Xue

Contrabassoon Zhao Ying Xue Assistant Principal

Percussion Jonathan Fox Principal Mark Suter Associate Principal Mario Choo Lim Meng Keh

Harp Gulnara Mashurova Principal

* With deep appreciation to the Rin Collection for their generous loan of string instruments. ^ Musician on annual contract.

1 Kong Zhao Hui performs on a J.B. Guadagnini of Milan, c. 1750, donated by the National Arts Council, Singapore, with the support of Far East Organization and Lee Foundation.

2 Chan Yoong-Han performs on a David Tecchler, Fecit Roma An. D. 1700, courtesy of Mr G K Goh. Musicians listed alphabetically by family name rotate their seats on a per programme basis.

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Guest Musicians Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert 12 & 13 Dec 2025 First Violin

Double Bass

Percussion

Bobur Eshpulatov Yvonne Lee Helena Dawn Yah

Guennadi Mouzyka

Thaddeus Chung Julia Tan

Second Violin Edward Tan Tian Ye

Trumpet Lertkiat Chongjirajitra

Organ Koh Jia Hwei

Tuba Tan Yao Cong

Piano/Celesta Aya Sako

Viola

C

M

Ho Qian Hui Patcharaphan Khumprakob Yeo Jan Wea

Y

CM

MY

Hans Graf & Churen Li

CY

19 Dec 2025

CMY

First Violin

Viola

Bass Trombone

David Coucheron

Joelle Hsu Patcharaphan Khumprakob

Jasper Tan

Co-Principal Guest Concertmaster

Chen Da Wei Lim Shue Churn Sherwin Thia

Cello

Second Violin

Double Bass

Jeongyeon Im Guest Principal Bobur Eshpulatov Lee Shi Mei Ling Yun Zhi Ionut Mazareanu Edward Tan

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Lin Juan

Joan Perarnau Garriga Guest Principal Guennadi Mouzyka

Clarinet Yung-Yuan Chiang Guest Principal

Percussion Benjamin Boo Tan Pei Jie

K

Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert | 12 & 13 Dec 2025

2nd 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 and Bunkamura.

A graduate of The Juilliard School and the Eastman School of Music (High Distinction), he is an awardee of numerous scholarships and awards, such as the Young Artist Award, Singapore, Bruno Walter Memorial Foundation Award, NACShell Scholarship, and the SSO/MOE Scholarship.

Joshua Tan

Joshua has conducted orchestras all around the world. He has studied with various eminent conductors—James DePreist, Charles Dutoit, David Zinman and Kurt Masur—and worked with many others, such as Michael Tilson Thomas, Ingo Metzmacher and George Manahan.

conductor

© BRYAN VAN DER BEEK

Known as a versatile conductor, Joshua is at home with symphonic, operatic and ballet works.

His substantial repertoire for opera includes La Traviata, Rigoletto, Das Rheingold, Der fliegende Holländer, Lohengrin, Carmen, among others. He is also equally adept with music for ballet, film and multimedia. For the latter, his extensive work include Disney’s Fantasia and Pixar, West Side Story, Jurassic Park and more.

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Joshua is presently Music Director of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra and the Asia Virtuosi. He has served successful stints as Associate Conductor of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Resident Conductor of the National Centre for the Performing Arts (China) Orchestra, and as Principal Conductor of the Guiyang Symphony Orchestra. Highlights of this season include debuts with Orchestre National de Bretagne, Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra as well as return engagements to Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, and with the Singapore Ballet for Romeo and Juliet and Cinderella.

Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert | 12 & 13 Dec 2025

Eudenice Palaruan studied at the University of the Philippines College of Music, majoring in composition and choral conducting. He took further training in choral conducting at the Berliner Kirchenmusikschule, Germany. He graduated doctor of musical arts at St. Paul University Manila.

He was a singer, resident composer/arranger, and assistant choirmaster of the Philippine Madrigal Singers. In addition, he performed with the Berlin Spandauer Kantorei, the World Youth Choir, and sang countertenor with the Berlin Monteverdichor.

In addition, he was the principal conductor of the San Miguel Master Chorale. For years, he has been the resident conductor of the International Bamboo Organ Festival, where he performed and recorded significant selections of Latin-American baroque music.

With his active involvement in the choralization of Philippine and other Asian indigenous music, he premiered a substantial volume of new Asian choral works. In addition, he was often invited to give lectures on non-Western vocal aesthetics.

Eudenice Palaruan

Choral Director

Eudenice also arranges for the SSO choruses and the SSC community outreach programmes.

In addition, the SSO choruses have premiered new choral works written by local composers and arrangers in Singapore under his direction.

© JUANMOLEY FOTOLOGUE

He taught composition and choral conducting in institutions such as the University of the Philippines College of Music, the Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music, and St. Paul University College of Music and the Performing Arts. In addition, he teaches at the Singapore Bible College School of Church Music and directs the SBC Chorale. Eudenice is often invited to adjudicate in international composition competitions and give masterclasses in choral conducting.

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Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert | 12 & 13 Dec 2025

Wong Lai Foon

Wong Lai Foon has been a driving force behind the development and growth of the Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir (SSCC) since its inception in 2006. Appointed Choirmaster in 2015 and armed with a mission to nurture young voices and inspire choral excellence, she led in the expansion of the SSCC’s training programme to include six preparatory ensembles, as well as the formation of the Singapore Symphony Youth Choir in 2016.

Choirmaster

© JUANMOLEY FOTOLOGUE

With repertoire ranging from Baroque to opera to contemporary and popular music, she has directed the SSCC and SSYC in a wide array of concerts, often receiving praise for the choirs’ beautiful tone and sensitivity. She has prepared the choirs in collaborations with renowned conductors and performers such as Stephen Layton, The King’s Singers, and Sofi Jeanin and la Maîtrise de Radio France. The SSCC has also had the distinction of being invited to perform at state functions.

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Wong has commissioned and premiered treble choir works by local composers and has also arranged for the SSCC and SSYC. Her efforts to educate and inspire singers extend into the community through workshops, talks, as well as adjudicator, chorus-master and guestconductor roles. Some ensembles that she has worked with include The Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Singapore Symphony Chorus, Singapore Lyric Opera, Hallelujah Singers, and Methodist Festival Choir. She holds a master’s degree in choral conducting from Westminster Choir College, USA.

© JACK YAM

Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert | 12 & 13 Dec 2025

Singapore Symphony Chorus

Celebrating Choral Excellence

Eudenice Palaruan Choral Director Ellissa Sayampanathan Assistant Choral Conductor Ng Sheh Feng Choral Associate Wong Yang Kai Choral Associate Shane Thio rehearsal pianist

For 45 years, the Singapore Symphony Chorus (SSC) has brought together passionate choristers from varied backgrounds to create stirring symphonic music that transcends language and culture. More than a choir, the SSC is a vibrant community where lasting bonds are forged beyond the stage.

Committed to artistic excellence, its dedicated members rehearse weekly, performing at celebrated venues like the Esplanade and Victoria Concert Halls. Under the baton of world-class conductors such as Okko Kamu, Lan Shui, Lim Yau, Masaaki Suzuki, and Sofi Jeannin, the SSC has built a rich repertoire featuring masterpieces like Tippett’s A Child of Our Time, Arvo Pärt’s Te Deum, Britten’s War Requiem, and Bach’s St John Passion.

The chorus’s unwavering dedication to delivering outstanding performances makes the SSC a leading choral ensemble – a shining example of music’s power to unite people across generations and cultures.

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© JACK YAM

Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert | 12 & 13 Dec 2025

Bursting with energy and passion, the Singapore Symphony Youth Choir (SSYC) is a lively group aged 17 to 28, who thrive on breaking artistic boundaries and growing as one. Beyond making harmonies, the SSYC is a buzzing community where young voices come together to dive into symphonic choral adventures with the national orchestra.

Singapore Symphony Youth Choir

Performing regularly at the Esplanade and Victoria Concert Halls, the SSYC tackles some of the most exciting and challenging choral works across diverse styles and genres. The SSYC regularly collaborates with visionary conductors including Lan Shui, Hans Graf, and Stephen Layton. Their impressive repertoire features highlights like Scriabin’s Prometheus, Puccini’s La Bohème, Tallis’s Why Fumeth in Fight, and Faure’s Requiem, along with recordings of Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances and Mahler’s Symphony No. 2.

Wong Lai Foon Choirmaster Ellissa Sayampanathan Assistant Choral Conductor Evelyn Handrisanto rehearsal pianist

Inspiring Choral Passion

The SSYC offers an unparalleled chance to learn and create memories with the seasoned professionals – setting the stage for the future of symphonic choral music.

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© JACK YAM

Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert | 12 & 13 Dec 2025

Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir

Nuturing Choral Brilliance

Wong Lai Foon Choirmaster Ellissa Sayampanathan Assistant Choral Conductor Low Jinhong rehearsal pianist

The Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir (SSCC) offers young voices a thrilling gateway into the world of professional music-making.

Singing alongside the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and renowned conductors, children discover not only the joy of performance but the discipline, confidence, and creativity that come with it.

Through its nurturing environment, the SSCC develops young children both musically and personally. It’s a space where artistry, friendship, and deep love for music come to life in every rehearsal and performance. Based at the Victoria Concert Hall, the choir has performed under the direction of esteemed conductors like Lim Yau, Sofi Jeannin, FrançoisXavier Roth, and Stephen Layton, and has shared the stage with The King’s Singers.

The SSCC’s impact extends beyond the concert hall, with appearances at national events and international collaborations in Paris and Kuala Lumpur, championing local music by commissioning works from Singaporean composers including Darius Lim, Zechariah Goh and Kelly Tang. Passionate, polished, and proudly Singaporean, the SSCC is shaping the next generation of choral excellence.

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SINGAPORE SYMPHONY CHORUSES Delivering choral excellence since 1980 A premier body for classical choral singing, the Singapore Symphony Choruses comprise the Singapore Symphony Chorus, Singapore Symphony Youth Choir and Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir.

Drawing membership from diverse ages, nationalities and walks of life, our Choruses embody a comprehensive singing ecosystem that nurtures the brilliance of our brightest young talents, inspires youthful passion for the art and celebrates the best of choral excellence!

Scan the QR code and visit our website for more details on audition and training opportunities.

@sgsymphonychoruses

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The Choruses Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert 12 & 13 Dec 2025

Singapore Symphony Chorus Soprano

Alto

Tenor

Karen Aw Josephine Budiana Janice Chee Alexis Chen Chia Gin Gin Elizabeth Daniel Julie Demange Wodtke Grace Goh Vivien Heng Kaitlyn Kim Selina Kwek Rachel Lam Sun Lee Jacqueline Liew Aidah Lim Liang Xinyu Lin Wei Ng Bee Kay Ng Wing Kei Tracy Shireen Sanbhnani Sarah Santhana Bessie Segarra Andrea Yenny Sjah Nelia Soelistia Stacey Wang Espera Vivienne Tan Sarah Tang Sachiko Tomimori Gladys Torrado Wang Yu-Ann

Grace Angel Chan Mei Yoke Joy Chen Chng Xin Bei Marie Amelie McKeand Joanna Deakin Dieh Xin Xin Truly Hutapea Susan Kurniawati Dorothy Lee-Teh Wendy Lim Shoumin Low Sharon Low H. Debbie Min Sylwia Mirucka Ng Beng Choo Ng Sheh Feng* Natividad Solaguren Ena Su Ratna Sutantio Elsie Tan Tan Seow Yen Rina Ushioda Wang Jiunwen Nadine Yap Elizabeth Yeo

Jean-Michel Bardin Chong Wei Sheng Ivan De Jesus Jonathan Halliwell Adrian Lim Elton Lin Jeroven Marquez Ronald Ooi Samuel Pažický Rac Roldan Ian Tan Ben Wong Yek Kwan

*Choral Associate 16

Bass Ang Jian Zhong Craig Chambers Arthur Davis Andy Jatmiko Ethan Jerzak Paul Kitamura Justin Lee Andrew Ng Yen Phang Teo Siak Hian Michael Walsh Wong Hin Yan Wong Yang Kai*

Singapore Symphony Youth Choir Soprano

Alto

Bass

Cham Li Teng Halyn Cho Goh Chen Xi Jocelyne Harefa Emily Hia Rachael Jong Laura Lee Emma Lee-Goh Melina Leong Giselle Lim Ng Yi Poh Teryn Rim Desiree Seng Samyukta Sounderamann Carine Tan Christabelle Tan Tan Caewyn Janelle Tan Naddy Teo Jasmine Towndrow Raeanne Wong Shuwen Chloe Zhou

Megan Fung Elizabeth Goh Trinetra Kumarasan Zoe Li Zachary Lim Ong Sherlyn Suri Rao Emily Tan Tan Yuqing Tan Yulin

Leonard Buescher Bryan Carmichael Chai Chang Kai Matthew Chiang Liu Felix Loy Sheng Rui Tan Hee Joshua Tan Dominic Tang Wong Zhen Wei

Tenor Andre Ang Cris Bautro Hann Lyang Alfonso Yuji Cortez Jayden Moktan Oscar Ociepka Amos Pan Seifer Ong Stanley Yuan Chenye

Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir Laurel Ang Adele Chan Lisa Chang Samuel Chen Elizabeth Chern Paul Chong Choo Yu En Chua Jia Le Deng Handing Fu Yuqi Graciella Gunawan Nadia Hajadi Callie Heng Cloris Ho Joshika Kandasamy Ropheka Khoo Giselle Koh Kok Xiu Yin Athena Kong Lucas Lee Leong Zee Yen

Liew Ying En Hebe Lim Stephanie Lim Eyzen Lim Lu Yiche Emma Mok Lei Nakayasu Ng Le Xi Riann Ong Ong Sze Ying Pan Yueling Marie Phua Kaeshav Rajasekaran Genevieve Seow Siew Lok Yan Allysa Tan Ashley Tan Brandon Tan Caitlin Tan Michael Tan Gwynever Tanan

Yuna Tano Shania Tay Germaine Teo Xavier Tng Mika Tobita Rosie Tu Julian Werstuik Caresse Wisantoso Joelle Wong Joylene Wongso Joyce Wu Gracie Xie Jessica Xu Evelyn Xue Yan Xinni Yan Yichen Cammi Yeo Yu Rahee Felix Zhang Zhang Kangni

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Hans Graf & Churen Li | 19 Dec 2025

Hans Graf conductor

Quantedge Music Director, Singapore Symphony Orchestra

© BRYAN VAN DER BEEK

Armed with a spirit of musical curiosity and discovery, creative programming and his commanding presence on stage, Austrian conductor Hans Graf has raised orchestras to new heights while winning audiences young and old alike. With Hans Graf, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has achieved “a brave new world of music-making under inspired direction” (The Straits Times) since his appointment as Chief Conductor in the 2020/21 season, followed by five outstanding seasons as Music Director. Hans Graf’s farewell season in 2025/26 celebrates his remarkable achievements with his being named the SSO’s first Quantedge Music Director.

Graf was formerly Music Director of the Houston Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Basque National Orchestra and Mozarteum

Orchestra Salzburg. He is a frequent guest with major orchestras and opera houses worldwide, receiving the Österreichischer Musiktheaterpreis award at the famed Vienna Volksoper in 2014.

Hans Graf’s discography includes extensive surveys of Mozart, Schubert and Dutilleux, as well as a GRAMMY and ECHO Klassik award-winning recording of Berg’s Wozzeck.

With the Singapore Symphony, Graf has recorded works by Paul von Klenau, Mozart, Stravinsky and his own edition of Kozłowski’s Requiem.

Hans Graf is Professor Emeritus at the Universität Mozarteum, Salzburg, and a recipient of the Chevalier de l'Ordre de la Légion d’Honneur (France) and the Grand Decoration of Honour (Austria).

Hans Graf & Churen Li | 19 Dec 2025

Churen Li is a pianist whose work bridges classical music and contemporary innovation, creating immersive, boundary-defying experiences. Hailed by The Straits Times as “the closest thing I know to be the ‘complete’ pianist” in Singapore, she performs both standard repertoire and her own compositions and improvisations. In 2025, she was featured as a soloist in Singapore’s SG60 National Day Parade.

She opened the Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s 2022/23 season with Grieg’s Piano Concerto under Han-Na Chang. A prizewinner at numerous international competitions, she has performed with orchestras including the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Cambridge University Orchestra, Klassische Budapest Philharmonic, Ding Yi Music Company, Metropolitan Festival Orchestra Singapore, and Mikhail Jora Philharmonic of Bacau. She has also performed at international festivals such as the Charleston Festival, Singapore International Festival of Arts, Singapore International Piano Festival, Darmstadt International Music Festival, Aspen, Norfolk, and Four Seasons Festivals, among others.

Churen Li piano

Churen currently teaches at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music as Artist Faculty and was previously a faculty member at Hong Kong Baptist University and Yale-NUS College. Deeply passionate about community engagement, she founded Classical Music Adventures, a quarterly series of interactive classical music concerts in community venues, now in its third year.

Graduating at 19 with a Bachelor’s degree from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (National University of Singapore) as the youngest in her cohort, Churen later obtained a Master of Music from Yale School of Music and a Master of Philosophy in Music from Cambridge University. Her past teachers include Albert Tiu, Bernard Lanskey, Paul Liang, Peter Frankl, and Hung-Kuan Chen.

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Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert Fri & Sat, 12 & 13 Dec 2025 Esplanade Concert Hall Singapore Symphony Orchestra Singapore Symphony Chorus Singapore Symphony Youth Choir Singapore Symphony Children's Choir Joshua Tan conductor Eudenice Palaruan Choral Director Wong Lai Foon Choirmaster Kong Zhao Hui Associate Concertmaster Tan Yi Kai Lighting Designer

Concert Duration: approximately 1 hr 40 mins (including 20 mins intermission)

Post-Concert Survey (13 Dec only)

Presented by

Supported by

Kris Foundation

To help us improve your concert experience, we invite you to participate in our survey. After the concert, be the first 120 to show proof of survey completion at the foyer, level 1, to receive a gift.

Check-in to tonight’s concert Scan this QR code with the Singapore Symphony Mobile App.

Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert | 12 & 13 Dec 2025

A Christmas Festival by Leroy Anderson 6 mins

White Christmas by Irving Berlin (orch. Robert Russell Bennett) 5 mins

Little Bolero Boy from A Classical Christmas Suite

by Katherine Davis (arr. Robert Wendel) 4 mins

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Johnny Marks (arr. Richard Hayman) 2 mins

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)

by Mel Tormé (arr. Bob Lowden) 3 mins

Carol of the Bells by Mykola Leontovych (arr. Richard Hayman) 3 mins

Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson 3 mins

Intermission 20 mins

Three Holiday Songs from Home Alone* by John Williams (lyrics by Leslie Bricusse) 12 mins

The Skater’s Waltz by Émile Waldteufel 8 mins

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!*

by Jule Styne (arr. Mark Hayes, lyrics by Sammy Cahn) 3 mins

Silent Night* by Franz Xaver Gruber (arr. John Rutter) 4 mins

Holiday Moods* by various composers (arr. & orch. Jeff Tyzik) 10 mins

We Wish You A Merry Christmas* (arr. Arthur Harris) 2 mins *with Chorus 21

Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert | 12 & 13 Dec 2025

Christmas is a time of good cheer, feasting, music, gatherings with loved ones, religious observance, reflection—things it shares with many other seasons and festivals—but there is one thing about the modern celebration of Christmas that is unique to it: the Christmas carol. Nothing evokes Christmas feeling quite like the sound of Christmas carols above the bustling activities of life, but how did this all happen?

The earliest music associated with Christmas was, of course, music sung during the church services. These ethereal hymns and chants focused on doctrinal and theological statements, and were written in Latin. Most laymen did not know Latin and hence this repertoire remained the preserve of professional chanters and choirs. Slowly, a parallel genre grew up: music, sometimes in Latin, but more often in the vernacular, in rhyming stanzas, with catchy melodies. Thus was born the Christmas carol! These vernacular songs not only praised God and made statements of faith, but also mentioned more mortal concerns and details of daily life during the festivals. Carols existed for many occasions, such as Easter, Corpus Christi, Pentecost, Lent, and the feast days of various saints, and these works survive, but after the 1500s the only festival in the Western world that still retains a tradition of carol-singing is Christmas.

The 19th century saw the beginnings of a sort of Christmas carol that was largely secular in nature—Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls, and Here We Come A-Wassailing being prime examples.

As the 20th century progressed, Christmas became more than simply a Christian religious festival. Particularly in the cultural melting pot of the USA, where Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox mixed freely, even non-Christian minorities, such as Jews, began celebrating

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the season in a secular way, as much for social reasons as for business reasons.

As a result, Christmas became a cultural phenomenon that embraced all and sundry—it is worth remembering that White Christmas, a quintessential jazzy seasonal classic, was written by Irving Berlin, a Jewish composer! The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) was written by Mel Tormé, likewise also of Jewish heritage. Many secular Christmas favourites come from the mid-20th century Jazz age: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, and others.

Around the same time, Katherine Davis gave us Little Drummer Boy, about a poor boy playing his drum for the Virgin Mary and Christ Child.

This song was recorded and popularised by the von Trapp Family singers (of The Sound of Music fame), and much later inspired Robert Wendel to combine it with the rhythm part

Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert | 12 & 13 Dec 2025

of Ravel’s Bolero, giving us the delightful crossover Little Bolero Boy.

full choir and orchestra in addition to the soloists.

An interesting phenomenon is how Christmas has tended to ‘absorb’ music from neighbouring festivals. Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride was originally intended as a generic evocation of a sleigh ride and other winter activities. Jingle Bells was originally intended for Thanksgiving, and Leontovych’s Carol of the Bells was originally for Epiphany (the 12th day of Christmas). Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker likewise has been absorbed.

Through the decades, singers and bands have issued special Christmas albums and film studios have released films that immediately became Christmas classics (e.g. Home Alone, Die Hard, Miracle on 34th Street, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Gremlins etc.).

Music from those albums and films thus also became associated with Christmas, making for an ever-expanding canon.

We Wish You A Merry Christmas dates from 16th century England, but the sentiment it expresses has ensured its lasting popularity to the present day, and despite the many developments over the centuries, the current tradition of ending a set of Christmas music with seems to be here to stay.

Nevertheless, all through this period, religious carols continued to be written and sung, and many of the most popular Christmas carols date from this period. Silent Night (German: Stille Nacht) was written and performed at Christmas midnight mass in 1818 because the church organ was broken. Neither Fr. Joseph Mohr, who wrote the lyrics, nor the organist Franz Xaver Gruber, who wrote the melody, would have ever imagined it would become one of the most beloved carols, known around the world.

Modern audiences may be surprised to hear modern Christmas songs such as Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let It Snow! arranged for chorus and orchestra, but this is actually part of a long tradition. Many secular Christmas songs first appeared in the 1940s and 1950s in richly scored versions that featured Notes by Edward C. Yong | A writer, editor, and teacher of dead languages, Edward plays lute and early guitars, sings bass, and runs an early music group. Like his dog, he is very much food-motivated.

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Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert | 12 & 13 Dec 2025

Three Holiday Songs from Home Alone 1 Somewhere In My Memory 2 Star of Bethlehem 3 Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas

Somewhere In My Memory

Star of Bethlehem

Candles in the window, Shadows painting the ceiling, Gazing at the fire glow, Feeling that gingerbread feeling.

Precious moments, Special people, Happy faces I can see.

Star of Bethlehem, shining bright, Bathing the world in heav’nly light, Let the glow of your distant glory Fill us with hope this Christmas night.

Somewhere in my mem’ry, Christmas joys all around me.

Living in my mem’ry, All of the music, All of the magic, All of the fam’ly home here with me.

Star of innocence, Star of goodness, Gazing down since time began, You who’ve lived through endless ages, View with love the age of man.

Star of beauty, hear our plea, Whisper your wisdom tenderly.

Star of Bethlehem, set us free, Make us a world we long to see.

Star of Bethlehem, Star on high, Miracle of the midnight sky, Let your luminous light from heaven Enter our hearts and make us fly.

Star of happiness, Star of wonder, You see everything from afar.

Cast your eye upon the future, Make us wiser than we are.

Star of gentleness, hear our plea, Whisper your wisdom tenderly.

Star of Bethlehem, set us free, Make us a world we long to see.

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Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert | 12 & 13 Dec 2025

Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!

Sing a song for the glorious season!

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!

Sing a song for a Happy New Year!

Sing verily, merrily loud and strong!

Welcome the wintery season!

Just follow along with a holiday song, Santa is here again, yes!

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!

Sing a song for the glorious season!

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!

Sing a song for a Happy New Year!

Now reindeer fly, if you need any proof, It's merely a matter of reason.

Just listen you’ll hear when they land on the roof, Santa is here again, yes!

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!

Sing a song for the glorious season!

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!

Sing a song for a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!

Sing a song for the obvious reason!

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!

It’s a magical, lyrical, annual, miracle, Sing it out loud, sing a song for a Happy New Year!

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Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert | 12 & 13 Dec 2025

Silent Night Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright.

Round yon Virgin mother and child, Holy infant so tender and mild.

Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night, Shepherds first saw the sight.

Glories stream from heaven afar, Heav’nly hosts sing alleluia.

Christ the Saviour is born, Christ, the Saviour is born.

Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light.

Radiance beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Oh the weather outside is frightful, But the fire is so delightful.

And since we’ve no place to go, Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

It doesn’t show signs of stopping, And I bought some corn for popping.

The lights are turned way down low, Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

When we finally kiss goodnight, How I’ll hate going out in the storm.

But if you really hold me tight, All the way home I’ll be warm.

The fire is slowly dying, And, my dear, we’re still goodbyeing.

But as long as you love me so, Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

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Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert | 12 & 13 Dec 2025

Holiday Moods 1 Deck the Halls 2 O Christmas Tree 3 Here We Come A-Wassailing

4 Carol of the Bells 5 Jingle Bells

Deck the Halls

Here We Come A-Wassailing

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la. ’Tis the season to be jolly, Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

Don we now our gay apparel, Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.

Troll the ancient Yule-tide carol, Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

Here we come a-wassailing Among the leaves so green, Here we come a-wandering, So fair to be seen.

See the blazing Yule before us, Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

Strike the harp and join the chorus, Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

Follow me in merry measure, Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.

While I tell of Yule-tide treasure, Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

O Christmas Tree O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, O tree of green, unchanging.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, You set my heart a singing.

Your boughs so green in summertime, Do brave the snow of wintertime.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, O tree of green, unchanging.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, You come from God, eternal.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, You speak of God, unchanging.

Like little stars, your candles bright, Send to the world a wond’rous light.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, You set my heart a singing.

Love and joy come to you, And to you your wassail too.

And God bless you and send you A Happy New Year, And God send you a Happy New Year.

And all your kin and kinsfolk That dwell both far and near, We wish a Merry Christmas And Happy New Year.

Love and joy come to you, And to you your wassail too.

And God bless you and send you A Happy New Year, And God send you a Happy New Year.

Jingle Bells Dashing through the snow In a one horse open sleigh; O’er the fields we go Laughing all the way.

Bells on bobtail ring Making spirits bright; What fun it is to ride and sing A sleighing song tonight.

Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way.

Oh what fun it is to ride in a One horse open sleigh!

Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way.

Oh what fun it is to ride in a One Horse open sleigh!

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Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert | 12 & 13 Dec 2025

We Wish You A Merry Christmas We wish you a Merry Christmas, We wish you a Merry Christmas, We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Good tidings to you wherever you are, Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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Temasek Foundation × SSO Christmas Concert | 12 & 13 Dec 2025

Hans Graf & Churen Li Fri, 19 Dec 2025 Esplanade Concert Hall Singapore Symphony Orchestra Hans Graf Quantedge Music Director Churen Li piano* David Coucheron Co-Principal Guest Concertmaster

Glinka Valse-fantasie 6 mins

SSO PREMIERE

Jonathan Shin child of the shore – Concerto for Piano and Orchestra* With support from Vanessa & Darren Iloste 23 mins WORLD PREMIERE SSO COMMISSION

Intermission 20 mins

Shostakovich Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93 57 mins Concert Duration: approximately 2 hrs (including 20 mins intermission) Check-in to tonight’s concert Scan this QR code with the Singapore Symphony Mobile App. 29

Hans Graf & Churen Li | 19 Dec 2025

SSO PREMIERE

Mikhail Glinka 1804 – 1857

Valse-fantasie (1839) Glinka is often regarded as the founding figure of Russian music, a title later affirmed

by Tchaikovsky, who remarked that Glinka’s Kamarinskaya (1848) “contained the future of Russian symphonic music as an acorn contains an oak tree”. As early as 1840, Glinka had attempted to write a set of piano variations on the Russian folk tune Kamarinskaya, but he destroyed the draft, calling it rubbish. He returned to the idea in 1848 after noticing that the dance melody resembled a wedding song, From Behind the Mountains, the High Mountains. Kamarinskaya is widely regarded as the first symphonic work based entirely on Russian folk themes.

A decade before Kamarinskaya, Glinka composed his Valse-fantaisie, a work that reveals the influence of Chopin’s grand waltzes, Weber’s Invitation to the Dance (1819), and the waltzes of the Strauss family.

Several versions of the Valse-fantaisie exist: the original piano version (1839), an orchestral version for small ensemble that was simply titled Valse (1845), and a final version for large orchestra, retitled Valse-fantaisie to reflect its greater opulence. The fantasy aspect lies not in free improvisation but in Glinka’s fluid, dreamlike treatment of rhythm and colour.

Transitions are seamless, with frequent shifts between major and minor that give a sense of emotional ambivalence.

The work exhibits Glinka’s sensitivity to orchestral colour. Rather than developing the melodic material, he chose to vary the

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instrumental timbres that surround the recurring theme. This approach to form and texture would become the model for similar waltzes by Tchaikovsky, Glazunov, and RimskyKorsakov, and anticipates the establishment of a lush, Russian national school.

Dedicated to Ekaterina Kern — a woman he admired but who did not return his affection — the piece has often been described as her “portrait in sound”. Its bright, optimistic main theme is carried by upper woodwinds and shimmering strings, while the horns and cellos bring a certain warmth to the texture. Yet an undertone of longing and disillusionment seeps through. In his original piano manuscript, Glinka wrote in the margins: “All I know of love is the pain it causes!”

Instrumentation 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, bass trombone, timpani, triangle, strings World Premiere 1839 (solo piano version); 1856 (orchestral version)

© YONG JUNYI

Hans Graf & Churen Li | 19 Dec 2025

Jonathan Shin (b. 1992) performs extensively as a pianist, and composes and improvises across multiple genres and styles. His music has been described as “supremely confident and comfortable in its own skin.” (The Straits Times) His first commission, the song cycle The Other Merlion and Friends (poems by Gwee Li Sui), was critically reviewed in 2016 as “probably the most compelling and worthwhile new work from any Singaporean composer in recent years.” Since then, his music has been performed internationally and locally, with commissions from the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Boston Opera Collaborative, the Esplanade, the Orchestra of the Music Makers, and

Jonathan Shin b. 1992

Resound Collective. His affinity for the voice spurred him to compose three chamber operettas in 2020, in collaboration with Ellen Abrams, Felix Cheong, and Theophilus Kwek.

In November 2022, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and the Singapore Symphony Choral groups premiered his choral symphony Illuminations. His latest foray into the operatic genre is Beacon (libretto by Joel Tan), a commission by The Opera People that will develop over the next two years.

Jonathan holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the Peabody Institute. He is currently Artist Faculty at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.

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Hans Graf & Churen Li | 19 Dec 2025

WORLD PREMIERE

SSO COMMISSION

Jonathan Shin b. 1992

child of the shore – Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (2025) I II III

Gerygone “as she looks out to sea” — after The Great Reclamation Peripheral Joys

When Churen approached me to write a piano concerto, it felt like a natural continuation of our conversation as longtime friends and collaborators. We have between us now half a lifetime of conversations, exchanging of literature, reading duets, improvising, and crucially, performing and listening to the other.

This conversation began with a simple question: “What does the Singaporean piano concerto sound like?” For me, a few years away from the home country sharpened the details of things missed: blue heartland mornings, life suspended in tropical time, the ebb and surf of sea strand. These were easily clouded by everyday busy-ness, unless one was attendant to these magical things in the periphery. child of the shore calls for a return to that awe and wonder with which a child attends to the world.

A birdsong heard from my childhood, a scene from one of my favourite novels, the private experience of the collective morning commute: these phenomena are almost necessarily confined to the periphery of city-existence; in child of the shore, we become attendant to these experiences.

The first movement “Gerygone” takes its theme directly from the birdsong of the goldenbellied gerygone: its cadence is described as “pure, high, clearly whistled, violin-like notes 32

that descend in an undulating, silvery, sweet cascade, at times lifting briefly, only to resume the downward, tumbling momentum.” Its second subject, played by the oboe, describes the bird’s restless dance among the branches.

The slow middle movement “as she looks out to sea” was inspired by the seaside melancholia and nostalgia of Rachel Heng’s The Great Reclamation. A love song recalling the xinyao style of the 1980s is played unaccompanied by the piano; the flute sings its reply. Crystalline heartbeats accompany a woodwind chorus, until the ebb and flow of the sea’s surf roils into the emotional heart of the movement: a solo cello melody in full lament.

This grows in power until the orchestra bursts at its seams, with only the piano and strings left to contemplate the what-might-have-beens of love.

To know a friend for a long time and to be privy to their philosophy and preparation allows for a very intimate knowledge of their pianism.

In this way, this concerto was composed with Churen’s pianism very much at the forefront of my mind, with her innate sense of drama beneath an imperious command of technique and craft. I try to capture that through the verve and electricity of the morning commute in “Peripheral Joys”, with Pat Methany-esque voicings and jazz-inspired rhythms.

Hans Graf & Churen Li | 19 Dec 2025

I am grateful beyond measure to Churen for her belief in my work and for her tireless advocacy for local composers. A special thank you goes to Vanessa and Darren Iloste for supporting the commission for my concerto, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra for commissioning me, and lastly, Seren for being my First Reader and sounding board.

Instrumentation solo piano, 2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 3 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 2 trombones, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion (cymbals, bass drum, bongos, glockenspiel, marimba), strings

Notes by the composer, Jonathan Shin.

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Hans Graf & Churen Li | 19 Dec 2025

Dmitri Shostakovich 1906 – 1975

Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93 (1953) I II III IV

Moderato Allegro Allegretto Andante – Allegro

Completed in the immediate aftermath of Stalin’s death, the Tenth marked the longest hiatus between any two of Shostakovich’s symphonies — eight years of humiliation and silence separated it from the Ninth. His Leningrad Symphony (No. 7, 1941) had elevated him to national-hero status, the Eighth (1943) secured his position, but the Ninth (1945) scandalised officialdom. The Soviet public had been primed for a Beethovenian choral Ninth, a triumphant hymn to Stalin and Soviet victory. Instead, Shostakovich delivered what one commentator called “a satirical snub”.

Shostakovich in 1950.

Photo: Deutsche Fotothek (CC BY-SA 3.0 de)

Shostakovich’s creative life was marked by perilous oscillations between state favour and denunciation. His early triumph with Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District (1934) — “a model of Soviet achievement” — came to an abrupt end when Pravda published a scathing editorial condemning the opera as “muddle instead of music”. Thus began an era of artistic censure and fear, as composers were ordered to produce music “directly intelligible to the people, expressive of the optimism of the Soviet regime”.

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A slow-building landscape, the vast Moderato captures the solitude, grief, and anxiety of Shostakovich’s post-Stalin world. From darkness emerges the low strings, murmuring a longdrawn theme whose first three notes birth the entire symphony. A solo clarinet responds with a fragile counter-voice to the basses’ desolation.

As the movement unfolds, the clarinet’s motif becomes the seed of transformation, passed among the woodwinds, then seized by the strings as momentum begins to swell.

Shostakovich builds the movement not through contrast but through accretion: layers of sound thickening into a climactic outburst where brass and strings declare the first theme with apocalyptic force. The music collapses into exhaustion, and in its final measures, high flutes and piccolo trace thin lines above tremulous strings and distant timpani.

Hans Graf & Churen Li | 19 Dec 2025

Often interpreted as a portrait of Stalin, the Allegro is four minutes of pure aggression.

From its first bars, a terrifying momentum and rhythmic rigidity is set in place by tense, down-bowed strings. Brass and percussion join in with a relentless ostinato. The passage that follows resembles a seething fugato, the upper strings in frantic pursuit of one another while lower strings and woodwinds churn beneath.

Even when the orchestral mass subsides, the pulse continues to throb quietly, and the movement ends with a series of explosive chords.

The Allegretto opens with a waltz-like theme in the strings, which might be heard as sardonic in character. A woodwind idea follows; embedded within is Shostakovich’s famous D–E♭–C–B motif (D–S–C–H in German), a cipher of his own name. This self-assertion is intertwined with the ‘Elmira’ horn motif (E–A–E–D–A), referencing pianist Elmira Nazirova, one of his students in the late 1940s, and with whom he had shared an intense correspondence while writing this symphony.

The finale begins with a quiet Andante of lower strings and wind solos. Gradually, a threenote motif shared between clarinet and flute extends into a seven-note figure. With this, the Allegro proceeds with a rustic, playful theme in strings and woodwinds. As the movement unfolds, the D–S–C–H motif returns, now transformed into a symbol of persistence as it is pitted against the ‘Stalin theme’ of the second movement. The music grows in force until the D–S–C–H motif is shouted out by the whole orchestra as it drives towards a majorkey conclusion.

Instrumentation 2 flutes (1 doubling on piccolo), piccolo, 3 oboes (1 doubling on cor anglais), 3 clarinets (1 doubling on E-flat clarinet), 3 bassoons (1 doubling on contrabassoon), 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion (triangle, cymbals, suspended cymbal, tam-tam, snare drum, bass drum, tambourine, xylophone), strings World Premiere 17 Dec 1953, St Petersburg First performed by SSO 2 Apr 1982

Notes (for Glinka and Shostakovich) by See Ning Hui | See Ning Hui is a pianist, researcher, and educator passionate about integrating underrepresented composers’ music. She is an adjunct lecturer at UAS-NAFA. Upcoming engagements can be found on www.ninghuisee.com.

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To Our Donor Patrons We would like to express our deepest appreciation to the following individuals and organisations who support our mission to create memorable shared experiences with music in the past year. Without your support, it would be impossible for the SSO to continue to strive for artistic excellence and touch the hearts of audiences.

PATRON SPONSOR

CONCERTO CIRCLE

Tote Board Group (Tote Board, Singapore Pools & Singapore Turf Club)

Cara & Tamara Chang Dr Geh Min Elaine and Eduardo Saverin Foundation Ltd Far East Organization Frans & Marie-Pierre Mol Geoffrey & Ai Ai Wong Geraldine Choong & Dennis Au Holywell Foundation Limited Hong Leong Foundation Kris Foundation Madeleine Cheok & Wong Hong Ching Mavis Lim Geck Chin Miriam & Merle Hinrich Mr & Mrs Ong Kok Chye Neo Group Limited Patek Philippe Southeast Asia PCS Pte Ltd Priscylla Shaw Prof Chan Heng Chee Robert V & Vivian P J Chandran UOB Yong Ying-I

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RHAPSODY PATRONS Adrian TL Chua Aileen Tang Ang Jian Zhong Anna Liang Yao & Li Jingyi Anthony Tay Arjun Jolly & Priyanka Nayar Belinda Koh Benedict Teo Benjamin Ma Brenda Ang Charles Robertson Cheng Eng Aun Choo Lim Clara Lim-Tan Claudia & Henning Figge Dr Chew Chee Tong Dr Jade Kua Dr Victor Lim Eric Wong Evelyn Chin Faith Chia Gin & Doug Hoon Chew & Jennifer Hwang Chih Ming Ian & Freda Rickword

Jennifer & Alexander Chan Jennifer Lee Jenny Zhu Huimin Jerry Gwee Julian Tan Julien Brousseau Kasch Kimmy Kimberly Kenneth Oo Kok Leong Lim Kris Wiluan Lawrence & Celeste Basapa Lee Hyunsun Marcel Smit & Hanneke Verbeek msm-productions Pierre Colignon Prof Tamas Makany & Julie Schiller SC & WY Leong Singapore Pools (Private) Limited Suzanne Lim Tang See Chim Valerie Thean Winston & Valerie Kwek Wong Yan Lei Grace Xinyi Ong Anonymous (6)

PRELUDE PATRONS A.R. Adeline Ang Akihiro Nemoto Andre Maniam Ang Quek Kaifeng Ang Seow Long Anthony Chng April Mak Arkady Raynes Arnoud De Meyer Bryan Carmichael Casey Tan Khai Hee Chan Ah Khim Chang Chee Pey Chong Mi-Li Pamela Chor Siew Chun Chua Yeow Kiang Churen Li Cindy Claire & Ian Jones Claire MC Clarissa Chow Colin Lang CP Cynthia Chee D Cheong D.N.C.H Daniel Yong Debby Lim Deborah Chee Deepa Chatrath Derek Lim HK Dex & Mint Doris Sohmen-Pao Dr & Mrs Winson Lay Dr Anne-Marie Schleich Dr Chong Shin Min Dr Christopher Chen Dr Elaine Lum Dr Keith Goh Dr Kong Tze Yean & Cristina Prado Dr Norman Lee Dr Rebecca Dent & Dr Greg Jakubowski Dr Teo Kien Boon Dr Wong Hin Yan Dr Yap Zhu Li Edith & Sean Lim

Elaine Xu Ernest Khoo Eunice Huang Ghislain Olagne Giles Tan Ming Yee Goh Chiu Gak Gonsalves Gavin Jason Marshall Heinrich Grafe Henry & Tiffany Herman Felani MY Ho Jun Yi Janek Schergen Jason & Jennifer Chew Jeanie Cheah Jeanne Lee Jennie Chua Jessica Cheam Joanne Lim Johannes Yap & Family Joseph Wolpin J-P & Colette FELENBOK K Goh Family Kadir Satar Kelvin Ho Khor Cheng Kian Koh Siew Yen Terri Kyra Teo Lau Soo Lui Lele Chen & Hans Yeh Li Danqi & Liu Yi Lily Low Lim Yuin Wen Lisa Lee Low Boon Hon Loy Suan Mao, Alwyn Maggie Dong Marcel & Melissa Xu Michael & Katherin Puhaindran Michelle & Eric Anziani Min Tan Minwei Mr & Mrs Jeremy Ee Naserah Tyebally Nguyen Quoc Khanh & Vu Phuong Nhi Nicole Ng Nicole Padilla & Sebastian Sohn Nishioka Hiroyuki

Nurture With Love Suzuki Music School Ong Chee Siong Parthesh Gulawani Patricia Lim Patrick Lee Pauline Ang Pigar & William Prof Goh Suat Hong Richard Hartung Robert Khan & Co Pte Ltd Ronald & Janet Stride Sandra Tsao Shamim Chowdhury Shermin Teh Soh Leng Wan Sonja & Viktor Leendertz Suranga Rajapakse SY Lee Sylvie Gleises Tan Kok Huan Tan Peng Peng Teo Eng Chai Teo Wee Poh

Terence Heng Tiffany Choong & Shang Thong Kai Ting Tay Virna Machado & Ashish Goyal Vivien Goh Wang Lei & Gao Bo Wang Pei Zhong Wicky Wong Xiao Li Xu Yixin Yan Xia Yang Tian YC Chen Yee Deng Tan Yeo Su Inn Yong Chuk Kwin Yong Seow Kin Yuna Chang Zeng Qiao Jia Zhang Zheng Zhu Yulin Anonymous (44)

This list reflects donations that were made from 1 Oct 2024 to 30 Sep 2025.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to donors whose names were inadvertently left out at print time.

The Singapore Symphony Group is a charity and a not-for-profit organisation.

Singapore tax-payers may qualify for 250% tax deduction for donations made.

You can support us by donating at www.sso.org.sg/donate or www.giving.sg/sso.

In appreciation of

Kong Zhao Hui, Associate Concertmaster

We say a big thank you to Associate Concertmaster Kong Zhao Hui, who retires from the SSO this month after 35 years of service and beautiful music.

From your steady presence in the orchestra to stunning solo performances of Butterfly Lovers, we have been touched by your artistry.

Thank you and happy retirement!

S U P P ORT TH E SSO

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COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS1 TO THE FOLLOWING CONCERT TYPES

Alternative corporate packages are available for discussion

DONOR RECOGNITION & PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Concert booklets and website

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Donations of $100 and above will entitle you to priority bookings, and discounts2 on SSG Concerts.

For tax residents of Singapore, all donations may be entitled to a tax deduction of 2.5 times the value of your donation.

Complimentary ticket benefits do not apply to fundraising seats, Esplanade Box seats, Premier Box seats, or to supporters who gave through a fundraising event.

Discounts are not applicable for the purchase of fundraising seats, Esplanade Box seats or Premier Box seats.

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Through the SSO and its affiliated performing groups, we spread the love for music, nurture talent and enrich our diverse communities.

The Singapore Symphony Orchestra is a charity and not-for-profit organisation.

To find out more, please visit www.sso.org.sg/support-us, or write to Nikki Chuang at nikki@sso.org.sg.

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While SSO is supported partially by funding from the Singapore government, a significant part can only be unlocked as matching grants when we receive donations from the public. If you are in a position to do so, please consider making a donation to support your orchestra – Build the future by giving in the present.

We provide our Corporate Patrons with impressive entertainment and significant branding opportunities. Through our tailored packages, corporates may benefit from: • Publicity and hospitality opportunities at an SSO concert or your private event, • Acknowledgement and mentions in SSO’s key publicity channels, • National Arts Council (NAC) Patron of the Arts nominations, • Tax benefits.

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S P EC I AL RE CO G NITION

A Standing Ovation We recognise major gifts that help sustain the future of the Singapore Symphony Group. The recognition includes naming of a position in the SSO or in our affiliated performance groups such as the Singapore National Youth Orchestra and the Singapore Symphony Choruses.

For more information, please write to Chelsea Zhao at chelsea.zhao@sso.org.sg.

SSO Concertmaster l GK Goh Chair In July 2017, the SSO established the GK Goh Chair for the Concertmaster. Mr Goh Geok Khim and his family have been long-time supporters of the national orchestra. We are grateful for the donations from his family and friends towards this Chair, especially Mr and Mrs Goh Yew Lin for their most generous contribution.

Mr Igor Yuzefovich was the inaugural GK Goh Concertmaster Chair.

The position is currently vacant.

SSO Principal Cello The Head Foundation Chair

SSO Principal Flute Stephen Riady Chair

SSO Principal Viola Tan Jiew Cheng Chair

In recognition of a generous gift from The HEAD Foundation, we announced the naming of our Principal Cello, “The HEAD Foundation Chair” in November 2019. The Chair is currently held by Principal Cellist Ng Pei-Sian.

In recognition of a generous gift from Dr Stephen Riady, we announced in May 2022 the naming of our Principal Flute, “Stephen Riady Chair”. The position is currently held by our Principal Flutist Jin Ta.

In recognition of a generous gift from the Estate of Tan Jiew Cheng, we announced in February 2024 the naming of our Principal Viola, “Tan Jiew Cheng Chair”.

The position is currently held by our Principal Violist Manchin Zhang.

SPECI AL RE CO GNITION

Quantedge Music Director Maestro Hans Graf The SSO is delighted to announce the naming of the “Quantedge Music Director” position, currently held by Maestro Hans Graf.

With his spirit of musical exploration, innovative programming, and captivating stage presence, Maestro Graf has consistently inspired audiences and elevated orchestras to new heights. We are deeply grateful for his continued leadership as Chief Conductor in the 2020/21 season and Music Director since the 2022/23 season.

We extend our sincerest gratitude to our anonymous donor for this generous gift of $3 million to mark SG60.

© BRYAN VAN DER BEEK

Upcoming Chamber & Organ Concerts at the Victoria Concert Hall

11 Jan

SSO Chamber Series:

Elements – SSO × Ding Yi

In this multi-hued collaboration with the renowned Ding Yi Music Company of Singapore, musicians of the SSO explore an elemental gathering of Chinese/Asian and Western musical traditions, with music by Singaporean composers Sulwyn Lok and Ho Chee Kong as well as Chinese-American composers Tan Dun and Zhou Long.

SSO Organ Series: 18 Baroque and Beyond

Jan

7.30pm

4pm

Baroque and Beyond in this instalment of the SSO Organ Series takes you from the familiar hymns and heights of Bach and Corelli to the majestic Organ Concerto No. 2 by Josef Rheinberger (1839–1901), featuring re:Sound with Koh Jia Hwei on organ and Isaac Koh on chamber organ.

Want to know more?

Scan here for more information

Supporting the Local Arts and Cultural Scene Partner of SSO since 1978 NSL, a member of YTL Cement Group, is a long-standing sponsor for Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO). We have been instrumental in helping the Orchestra reach out to the commuity-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.

Board of Directors and Committees Chair Goh Yew Lin Board of Directors Chang Chee Pey Chng Kai Fong Andress Goh Kenneth Kwok Clara Lim-Tan Jesher Loi Lynette Pang Prof Qin Li-Wei Jovi Seet Farhana Sharmeen Doris Sohmen-Pao Prof Peter Tornquist Geoffrey Wong Andrew Yeo Khirn Hin

HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Doris Sohmen-Pao (Chair) Jesher Loi Prof Qin Li-Wei Heinrich Grafe* Carmen Wee* FINANCE & INVESTMENT COMMITTEE

Geoffrey Wong (Chair) Andress Goh Chua Keng Hong* Alex Lee*

AUDIT & RISK COMMITTEE

Jovi Seet (Chair) Prof Peter Tornquist Andrew Yeo Khirn Hin Ryan Siek*

COMMUNITY & YOUTH ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Clara Lim-Tan (Chair) Chang Chee Pey Farhana Sharmeen Asst Prof Kat Agres* Cecilia Pang*

EXECUTIVE & NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Goh Yew Lin (Chair) Chng Kai Fong Lynette Pang Geoffrey Wong

*co-opted member

Symphony Ball Committee

SSO Council Alan Chan (Chair) Odile Benjamin Prof Chan Heng Chee Prof Arnoud De Meyer Dr Geh Min Heinrich Grafe Khoo Boon Hui Liew Wei Li Lim Mei Sanjiv Misra Paige Parker Dr Stephen Riady Priscylla Shaw Prof Gralf Sieghold Prof Bernard Tan Dr Tan Chin Nam Wee Ee Cheong Yong Ying-I

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DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Prof Chan Heng Chee (Chair) Dr Geh Min Heinrich Grafe Khoo Boon Hui Paige Parker Priscylla Shaw Dr Tan Chin Nam Odile Benjamin Lim Mei

Paige Parker (Chair) Celeste Basapa Geoffrey Wong Kris Tan Joy Tan Dr Karen Soh Kim Camacho Lim Kang Ning Farhana Sharmeen SSO Musicians’ Committee Hoang Van Hoc Austin Larson Li Xin Christopher Mui David Smith Elaine Yeo Zhao Tian

Singapore Symphony Group Administration Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Kwok Deputy CEO

Deputy CEO

Programmes & Production

Patrons & Corporate Services

Kok Tse Wei

Jenny Ang

CEO OFFICE

Community Impact

Patrons

Shirin Foo Musriah Bte Md Salleh

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

DEVELOPMENT

ORGANISATION DEVELOPMENT

Lillian Yin Artistic Planning Christopher Cheong (Head) ARTISTIC ADMINISTRATION

Jodie Chiang Terrence Wong Jocelyn Cheng Michelle Yeo Operations

Ernest Khoo (Head) LIBRARY

Wong Yi Wen Cheng Yee Ki Ng Yi Xiu ORCHESTRA MANAGEMENT

Chia Jit Min (Head) Charis Peck Xin Hui Kelvin Chua

PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT

Noraihan Bte Nordin Nazem Redzuan Leong Shan Yi Asyiq Iqmal Khairi Edzhairee Benjamin Chiau

Kua Li Leng (Head) Whitney Tan Lynnette Chng Chua Xu Yang Darren Siah

CHORAL PROGRAMMES

Chelsea Zhao (Head) Nikki Chuang Sarah Wee Samantha Lim Eunice Salanga Kevin Yeoh

Kua Li Leng (Head) Lu Heng Chang Hai Wen Mimi Syaahira

COMMUNICATIONS, DIGITAL & MARKETING

SINGAPORE NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA

Ong Shu Chen Nikki Loke Elizabeth Low

Ramu Thiruyanam (Head) Tang Ya Yun Tan Sing Yee Ridha Ridza ABRSM

Patricia Yee Lai Li-Yng Joong Siow Chong Freddie Loh May Looi Corporate Services FINANCE, IT & FACILITIES

Rick Ong (Head) Alan Ong Goh Hoey Fen Loh Chin Huat Md Zailani Bin Md Said

Cindy Lim (Head)

Communications

Data & Digital Projects Calista Lee Lim Wen Jie

Marketing & Content Chia Han-Leon Hong Shu Hui Myrtle Lee Jana Loh Kashmira Kasmuri Carrie Woo

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

Randy Teo Dacia Cheang Joy Tagore

HUMAN RESOURCES & ADMINISTRATION DIGITAL PRODUCTION

Avik Chari

Valeria Tan (Head) Janice Yeo Fionn Tan Netty Diyanah Bte Osman

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Enjoy concerts by the Singapore Symphony with your SG Culture Pass credits

There’s something for everyone, including SSO Concerts for Children, SSO Pops and the SSO Christmas Concert.

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Be the heartbeat of your orchestra

Support our work as the musical pulse of Singapore, where every performance resonates with passion and joy.

Your contributions keep our music alive and thriving – inspiring audiences, delighting communities and sharing Singapore’s voice on the global stage.

Every donation is matched dollar-for-dollar and eligible for 250% tax deduction (for Singapore tax residents), amplifying the impact of your contribution.

Make a Gift: Scan in your mobile banking app to donate via PayLah! or PayNow*

You can also make an online donation via the Singapore Symphony app or ssoperfor.ms/YEA2025 *For Singapore taxpayers, please submit your name and NRIC to development@sso.org.sg to apply for 250% tax deduction.