VCH Home of the SSO 2017/18 Season Brochure

VCH HOME OF THE SSO 2017/18 CONCERT SEASON

PATRON President Tony Tan Keng Yam BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman Mr Goh Yew Lin Deputy Chairman Ms Yong Ying-I Directors 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

C ON T E N T S 06 2 017 / 18

SS0 2017/18 SEASON

10 SSO CHAMBER SERIES

14 VCH PRESENTS SERIES

20 VCH ORG AN SERIES

25 25TH SING APORE INTERNATIONAL PIANO FESTIVAL 2018

26 FAMILY CONCERTS

29 LEARN AND PARTICIPATE

34 TICKETS

Hall photography by Lertkiat Chongjirajitra.

The information in this publication is correct at press time but the Singapore Symphony Group reserves the right to change programmes or artists without prior notice.

Since the Victoria Concert Hall (VCH) re-opened in July 2014, we continue to find ways to make it the performance venue for people in Singapore to have their most memorable encounters with classical music. Our 2017/2018 season will give you plenty of opportunities to find musical inspiration in one of the most beautiful buildings in the heart of Singapore’s civic district. In particular, we believe that the intimate moments of chamber music will give you space to connect within yourselves, with your loved ones, and with the musicians on the VCH stage.

W E LC O M E F R O M T HE C E O

Chng Hak-Peng Chief Executive Officer Singapore Symphony Group

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What better way to celebrate intimacy than to open our season with married violin virtuosi Gil Shaham and Adele Anthony as part of the VCH Presents series. The series showcases the best international and local chamber music talent, including the London Haydn Quartet in our first co-presentation with the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, and the newly-formed CelliSSO, whose all-cello programme will be a treat.

We also continue to bring great vocal chamber music to the scene. This season brings a collaboration between one of our resident choirs, the Singapore

Symphony Children’s Choir, and the King’s Singers, in a performance that includes the world premiere of renowned British composer and former King’s Singer Bob Chilcott’s “We Are” as part of their 50th Anniversary celebrations.

The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) will present a number of concerts at their Home. The SSO Chamber Series showcases the musicians of the orchestra in chamber settings among themselves, and also with international artists.

Among the interesting programmes this season are an "Emperor"-themed concert which will feature string quartets dedicated to emperors, and a collaboration with Alina Ibragimova in an allRussian programme.

One of our goals at VCH is also to push the boundaries of what defines classical music. There are programmes where we want audiences to stop and question, “is this classical music?” To do so, we collaborate with musicians and artists who are ground-breaking artists in their own fields.

We are delighted to work with theatre director Ivan Heng and multimedia artist Brian Gothong Tan

on Francis Poulenc’s one-woman opera La Voix Humaine, and with jazz musician Chok Kerong on a work commissioned for the VCH’s Klais pipe organ.

For those of us who would like a light-hearted musical encounter, we have designed a VCH Presents Lite! series to introduce chamber music in a fun way, such as a programme of Latin-American music led by SSO principal flautist, Jin Ta. VCH is also proud to be Singapore’s leading proponent of the pipe organ and the piano. Our VCH Organ Series will feature well-known cathedral organists Dorothy Papadakos and Winfried Bönig. And, we will close the season with the 25th Singapore International Piano Festival in June 2018, with an exciting line-up of pianists including Avery Fisher Prize winner Jeremy Denk and Chopin Piano Competition winners Dang Thai Son (1980) and Seong-Jin Cho (2015) as well as Dénes Várjon, winner of the Ferenc Liszt Prize, Hungary’s highest cultural award.

We hope you will enjoy many memorable moments in music at your VCH, Home of the SSO.

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V IC TO RIA C O N C E RT H A LL HOME OF THE SSO The Victoria Concert Hall has been the Home of the SSO since the orchestra’s founding in 1979.

The 673-seat hall is part of the Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall complex which reopened in July 2014 after an extensive renovation that preserved the beauty of the historic buildings and also created an intimate performance space for music groups of different sizes.

The SSO works with their own musicians and international artists to present different series of music, ranging from world-class chamber performances in the VCH Presents, VCH Organ and SSO Chamber Series, and orchestral works by the SSO, to family programmes tailored to introduce classical music to everyone.

Besides the SSO’s own programmes, the VCH and its rehearsal spaces are also available for public booking through the VTVCH venue operator, which can be reached at ssophie@vtvch.com.

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21.7.2017, 8.3.2018 LUNCHTIME CONCERT

29.9.2017 PRESIDENT’S YOUNG PERFORMERS CONCERT

15 -17.12.2017 SSO CHRISTMAS CONCERT

2.3.2018 A IS FOR AIYAH

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21 JULY 2017 FRI | 12.30PM - 1.15PM

FREE!

8 MARCH 2018 THU | 12.30PM - 1.15PM

LUNCHTIME CONCERT Join the SSO in two lunchtime concerts conducted by Associate Conductors Jason Lai (July) and Joshua Tan (March)!

21 July concert is sponsored by Doors open half an hour before the concert.

Suitable for ages 5 and above.

No admission for infants-in-arms.

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15, 16 & 17 DECEMBER 2017 FRI & SAT | 7.30PM SUN | 4PM

SSO CHRISTMAS CONCERT THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR Ever wondered what it’s like to sing along with the SSO in the Victoria Concert Hall? Associate Conductor Joshua Tan and the SSO bring you a sparkling collection of musical treasures for the yuletide season, complete with a sing-a-long segment where you can join in the chorus!

Joshua Tan, conductor Singapore Symphony Chorus Singapore Symphony Youth Choir Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir

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29 SEPTEMBER 2017 FRI | 7.30PM

PRESIDENT’S YOUNG PERFORMERS CONCERT YOUNG HEROES OF MUSIC 21 this year, euphonist Kang Chun Meng is the soloist in this year’s President’s Young Performers Concert, which also features Singaporeborn composer Er Yenn Chwen’s Symphonia Anamneseos. SSO Associate Conductor Joshua Tan directs Beethoven’s rigorous and aptly titled “heroic” Third Symphony.

2 MARCH 2018 FRI | 7.30PM

A IS FOR AIYAH MYSTERIES OF THE MACABRE

Philip Wilby Euphonium Concerto SIN G APORE PRE MIE RE

The SSO presents the world premiere of A is for Aiyah, composed by young Singaporean composer Diana Soh, an alumnus of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music and currently based in Paris.

French soprano Élise Chauvin brings us on a journey of Mahlerian song through five lieder based on the poetry of Friedrich Rückert, and then the avantgarde theatre of Ligeti’s Mysteries of the Macabre.

Beethoven Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55 “Eroica”

Diana Soh A is for Aiyah from ä bug i da

Joshua Tan, conductor Kang Chun Meng, euphonium

Webern Passacaglia, Op. 1

Er Yenn Chwen Symphonia Anamneseos, a Symphony of Remembrance

Sponsored by

WORLD PREMIERE

Mahler Rückert-Lieder Stravinksky Symphony in Three Movements Ligeti Mysteries of the Macabre Jason Lai, conductor Élise Chauvin, soprano PRE-CONCERT TALK 6.30pm | VCH Music Studio @ L3 POST-CONCERT SYMPHONY CHAT

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Chamber music, traditionally performed in an intimate setting, is a genre where musicians get to exchange musical ideas freely.

These musical conversations showcase the contending, heartfelt and even witty moments in music performance.

11-12.8.2017 FOR THE EMPEROR

10.9.2017 FRENCH FLAVOURS

1.4.2018 RUSSIAN AT HEART

18 -19.5.2018 THE GLORY OF BAROQUE

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11 & 12 AUGUST 2017 FRI & SAT | 7.30PM

FOR THE EMPEROR Two nights of string quartets fit for a king, by Haydn and Mozart, pinnacles of the Neo-Classical era.

The central hymn from Haydn’s Emperor Quartet was the national anthem of Austria for a time, while Mozart’s Prussian Quartets, written with the Prussian King’s interest in the cello in mind, were published two weeks after his premature death.

“If Mozart had written nothing but his violin quartets and the Requiem, they alone would have been sufficient to make him immortal.” - HAYDN Musicians of the SSO OPEN REHEARSAL 12 Aug | 10am - 12pm For Friends of the SSO and ticketholders

10 SEPTEMBER 2017 SUN | 4PM

FRENCH FLAVOURS The mercurial and expressive flavour of the French colour this varied programme, featuring the sublime combination of flute, viola and harp via Debussyan Impressionism; the sultry strains of songs from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess and the unduly neglected music of George Onslow, a 19th century French composer of English descent.

Musicians of the SSO

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1 APRIL 2018 SUN | 4PM

RUSSIAN AT HEART Russian-British violinist Alina Ibragimova joins SSO musicians in an allRussian programme across three Russian greats in their characteristic musical modes. The sweet yearnings of Tchaikovsky’s lyricism give way to the impish energy of Prokofiev and finally to the dark astringency and twilit enigma of Shostakovich’s Third String Quartet, which he considered one of his best.

Alina Ibragimova, violin Musicians of the SSO

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18 & 19 MAY 2018 FRI & SAT | 7.30PM

THE GLORY OF BAROQUE From Gabrieli to Handel, take a trip with UK period instrument violinist Peter Hanson through the elegance and riches of the Baroque greats, whose genius is displayed in their rich writing for voice and instrument – for which they often treated one like the other.

A multitude of solos is key to the design of the concerto grosso, a compact instrumental showcase that the likes of Biber and Vivaldi developed to spectacular heights. Arias from Handel’s most popular oratorio, Messiah, are just a tiny sample of the vast treasure troves of Baroque musical drama. Purcell’s pioneering work setting English language theatre music, and the lively dance-operas of French Baroque master, Jean-Philippe Rameau, equally deserve your listening ear.

Peter Hanson, violin/conductor Musicians of the SSO OPEN REHEARSAL 19 May | 10am - 12pm For Friends of the SSO and ticketholders

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The VCH Presents Series showcases some of the finest musicians of our time through diverse programmes which transcend boundaries.

For light-hearted musical encounters, the VCH Presents Lite! series will introduce chamber music in a fun way.

8.7.2017 GIL SHAHAM & ADELE ANTHONY

30.7.2017 JIN TA & FRIENDS

21.9.2017 LONDON HAYDN QUARTET

15.10.2017 THE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

22.10.2017 CELLISSO

23.2.2018 GOLD 50: THE KING’S SINGERS

24.2.2018 THE KING’S SINGERS WITH THE SINGAPORE SYMPHONY CHILDREN'S CHOIR

12-13.5.2018 LA VOIX HUMAINE

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30 JULY 2017 SUN | 4PM

VCH Presents Lite!

JIN TA & FRIENDS No composer evokes more fun than Astor Piazzolla. Even with music written as technical exercises, he can get you grooving, and when you add percussion to it, you will find yourself dancing like an experienced Tango Bailarin.

You would think it doesn’t get any better than that, but with Henry Mancini, who brought you the famous Pink Panther theme and Moon River, it is guaranteed to be a concert buzzing with excitement. After all, what better way to end a Sunday afternoon than by dancing into the evening with Mike Mower’s Sonata Latino, a work which incorporates Salsa, Bossa Nova, Rumba and other Latin American musical styles.

Jin Ta, flute Liu Jia, piano Guennadi Mouzyka, double bass Mark Suter, percussion 8 JULY 2017 SAT | 7.30PM

GIL SHAHAM & ADELE ANTHONY Begin your journey on the other side of the world, dancing to the rustic folk tunes of Eastern Europe, and arrive at post-World War I America in the Jazz Age. Virtuoso couple Gil Shaham and Adele Anthony brings to life the intimate dialogues between two violins, presenting a refreshing repertoire for violin duo including selections from Béla Bartók’s 44 Duos for 2 Violins and an arrangement of jazz favourite Sweet Georgia Brown. Technical fireworks are abound as they tackle a selection of Wieniawski’s demanding Etudes-Caprices, Op. 18.

Gil Shaham, violin Adele Anthony, violin

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15 OCTOBER 2017 SUN | 7.30PM

THE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PRESENTS BEETHOVEN’S SYMPHONIES NO. 1 & 9

21 SEPTEMBER 2017 THU | 7.30PM

LONDON HAYDN QUARTET “A story, a song, a dance and a party”, each a fitting metaphor for life. Joseph Haydn’s String Quartet Op. 64 No. 5 nicknamed “The Lark” encapsulates the essence of each tale in four exquisite movements, an optimistic wave at freedom as he left the Esterhazy court for London. Considered the father of string quartets, Haydn’s virtuosity is revealed in the dazzling String Quartet Op. 54 No. 3.

The programme also features one of Mozart’s greatest chamber works, the Clarinet Quintet in A major, K.581, its radiance a façade of his misery during one of his most difficult times.

This charming programme is brought to you by one of the world’s leading period instrument string quartets, the London Haydn Quartet.

Catherine Manson, violin Michael Gurevich, violin John Crockatt, viola Jonathan Manson, cello Eric Hoeprich, clarinet In partnership with

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Beethoven had a foot in each of two centuries when he wrote his first symphony. Born a classicist whose mischief led to a “wrong key” start, his first symphony exhibited all the traits one would associate with the composer – brash, impassioned, uncompromising.

In this unique pairing of symphonies, watch how Beethoven stumbled across Romanticism. His deafness and genius culminated in the creation of his last symphony, giving us a work so well-known and so relevant – for the Ninth continues to be a representation of the unending possibilities of the symphonic form and a message of renewal and hope.

Lim Yau, conductor The Philharmonic Orchestra The Philharmonic Chamber Choir NAFA Chamber Choir

22 OCTOBER 2017 SUN | 4PM

CELLISSO They say the cello is the instrument that most closely imitates the human voice. The sublime collaboration of the 10 cellists of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra conjures an opera that explores the depths of imagination with Carl Vine’s Inner World, to the capacity of simplicity in Arvo Pärt’s Fratres, a work that exemplifies the composer’s own tintinnabuli style. The diverse set of works that displays the cello’s versatility also includes Giovanni Sollima’s charged Violoncelles, vibrez!, while dynamic soprano Jeong Ae Ree joins the ensemble in Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos’ adventurous Bachianas Brasileiras.

Jeong Ae Ree, soprano Ng Pei-Sian, cello Yu Jing, cello Guo Hao, cello Chan Wei Shing, cello Song Woon Teng, cello Wang Yan, cello Wang Zihao, cello Peter Wilson, cello Wu Dai Dai, cello Zhao Yu Er, cello

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23 FEBRUARY 2018 FRI | 7.30PM

24 FEBRUARY 2018 SAT | 7.30PM

GOLD 50: THE KING’S SINGERS

THE KING’S SINGERS WITH THE SINGAPORE SYMPHONY CHILDREN'S CHOIR

In 1968, the original six King’s Singers came together through their shared love of singing and quickly became renowned for their mesmerising performances and the unique diversity of their music. From the rich polyphony of sacred renaissance music to familiar tunes you hum to, GOLD charts a journey through the music that’s defined their career over the last 50 years, and moves on to exciting and unexplored musical worlds. An alchemy of ancient and modern, serious and light-hearted, expected and unexpected. GOLD crowns half a century of dedication to music, and looks ahead with unbridled energy to the next 50 years and beyond. The second day of their Singapore visit also presents a very special collaboration with the Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir. The marriage of charming virtuosity and youthful energy promises a memorable evening of delights.

Patrick Dunachie, countertenor Timothy Wayne-Wright, countertenor Julian Gregory, tenor Christopher Bruerton, baritone

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Christopher Gabbitas, baritone Jonathan Howard, bass Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir Wong Lai Foon, choirmaster

12 & 13 MAY 2018 SAT | 7.30PM SUN | 4PM

LA VOIX HUMAINE Fear of rejection and painful loss of love, breaking up is hard to do.

La Voix Humaine, Francis Poulenc’s tragédie lyrique of Jean Cocteau’s monologue is an intimate, powerful and moving solo opera work. Directed by Ivan Heng, join soprano Jennifer Lien, pianist Shane Thio and multimedia artist Brian Gothong Tan as they bring to life a conversation between a woman on the edge and her soon to be ex-lover.

Jennifer Lien, soprano Shane Thio, piano Ivan Heng, director & set design Brian Gothong Tan, multimedia artist & set design

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Victoria Concert Hall’s magnificent Klais Organ takes centre stage in the VCH Organ Series that also features a host of special guest performers.

6.8.2017 NEW NOTES IN THE PIPELINE

26.10.2017 PHANTOM OF THE OPER A

20.11.2017 ISABELLE DEMERS

8.4.2018 IN EVERY CORNER SING

16.6.2018 CELESTIAL PIPES

The VCH Organ Series is sponsored by

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THE KLAIS ORGAN First installed in 1987, the Victoria Concert Hall’s Klais organ was purchased through fundraising efforts by the then-newly formed SSO Ladies’ League as a replacement for the St. Clair organ that had been built some 50 years earlier in 1931. The St. Clair organ was named after Major W. G. St. Clair, founder of the old Philharmonic Society and the first editor of the Singapore Free Press, and its façade was retained after the installation of the Klais organ.

In 2010, with the redevelopment of the Victoria Concert Hall and Victoria Theatre, the organ – consisting of a total of 2,012 pipes – was methodically removed piece by piece, repaired and stored in climatecontrolled warehouses during the refurbishment period.

Being the only mechanical organ in Singapore, the Klais organ has strong emotional links with generations of audiences and many donors and supporters of classical music, notably the Lee Foundation, who have stepped forward to provide financial support for the restoration.

When the Victoria Concert Hall reopened in the second half of 2014, the organ once again took centrestage, providing awe-inspiring and delicate strains of music to old and new audiences.

Our heartfelt thanks to all donors who have graciously contributed towards the organ restoration project.

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6 AUGUST 2017 SUN | 4PM

FREE!

NEW NOTES IN THE PIPELINE VCH TOURS See the VCH from a fresh perspective!

Join our friendly Docents on a 40-minute tour of the Victoria Concert Hall as you discover the fascinating history and architecture of this magnificent building.

Registration is on a first-come-firstserved basis, and held at the Victoria Concert Hall Atrium, before selected VCH Organ Series concerts.

The King of Instruments takes centrestage with new repertoire, original compositions of Singaporean composers Chok Kerong and young contemporaries Chen Zhangyi and Phoon Yu. Disquiet, Chok’s work specially commissioned for the Klais Pipe Organ, will feature organist Margaret Chen with a string ensemble conducted by Ang Shao-wen. Composer-organist Phoon Yu will present an original piece that brings together an unlikely combination of organ and trumpet, before completing the afternoon with traditional fare, Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in C major.

Ang Shao-wen, conductor Margaret Chen, organ Phoon Yu, organ Lau Wen Rong, trumpet VCH Tour Registration: 2.30pm | Tour: 3pm

20 NOVEMBER 2017 MON | 12.30PM

FREE!

ISABELLE DEMERS Niccolò Paganini was a prolific violinist, whose devilish virtuosity was unparalleled. His Caprice No. 24 in A minor for solo violin is a notoriously difficult piece to perform, and its theme has inspired many variations. Imagine playing the variations with only your feet, impossible you say? This incredible feat will be performed by Canadian professional organist Isabelle Demers, along with J.S. Bach’s intricate Prelude and Fugue in D major, excerpts from Demers’ own arrangement of Prokofiev’s ballet

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Cinderella which will transport you right to the doorsteps of the ballroom and Rachel Laurin’s Three Short Studies, Op. 68, culminating in a scintillating Finale from Louis Vierne’s Symphony No. 5.

Isabelle Demers, organ VCH Tour Registration: 11.30am | Tour: 1.30pm

With support from the Singapore Chapter of the American Guild of Organists

26 OCTOBER 2017 THU | 7.30PM

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Phantom of the Opera. The title itself no doubt evokes scenes of crashing chandelier, haunting romance and sweet sorrow in your mind. But did you know, the musical actually succeeds a 1925 silent horror film of the same title which grandly lived up to its genre when audiences were said to have screamed or fainted upon revelation of the Phantom’s appearance? A renowned international organist popular for her sold-out silent film programmes, Dorothy Papadakos brings the 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.

Dorothy Papadakos, organ 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”

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8 APRIL 2018 SUN | 4PM

FREE!

IN EVERY CORNER SING Dubbed the Grand Dame of Singapore’s organ scene, Margaret Chen joins forces with the Singapore Bible College Community Choir, Canticorum, in a spiritual undertaking helmed by esteemed choral conductor Joel Navarro.

Set to sacred verses, Vaughan William’s Five Mystical Songs is a visionary work that climaxes in a triumphant hymn of praise, a salutation to and celebration of music, paving the way for Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. A harmony of Jewish and Christian elements, the work itself is an embodiment of peace and hope. This inspiring programme will leave you with renewed faith, in all ways it matters to you.

Margaret Chen, organ Joel Navarro, conductor Canticorum VCH Tour Registration: 2.30pm | Tour: 3pm

16 JUNE 2018 SAT | 2PM & 4PM

CELESTIAL PIPES A blank slate, infinite grains of sand, infinite possibilities. Conjuring a magician’s power, he channels the spirit of the music that encompasses all cosmic force through his delicate palms. Into the grains of sand he breathes life, an organic body. Sand artist Lawrence Koh animates The Planets by Gustav Holst in a celestial collaboration with organist Winfried Bönig. Widor’s standout work, the Toccata from Organ Symphony No. 5 has saluted countless weddings to date, its upbeat and charming character irresistibly captivating.

Winfried Bönig, organ Lawrence Koh, sand artist Pre and post-concert activities: Visit the stalls foyer to learn more about the pipe organ!

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25 TH SING APORE I N T ERN ATIO N A L P I AN O F ESTIVA L 7 - 10 JUNE 2018

Dénes Várjon Jeremy Denk Seong-Jin Cho Dang Thai Son

For a quarter of a century, the Singapore International Piano Festival has presented over 80 pianists in recital, many of whom are among the very greatest in the music world. Unlike most recital series, each annual edition of the Festival uniquely features recitals over consecutive evenings, offering concertgoers who regularly attend every evening an intense, varied and richly rewarding pianistic and musical experience. Alongside such celebrated virtuosi as Nelson Freire, Stephen Kovacevich, Nikolai Demidenko, Pascal Rogé, Piotr Anderszewski, Stephen Hough, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Lars Vogt and Angela Hewitt, the Festival has also had a fantastic track record of impressive debuts by such rising stars as Benjamin Grosvenor, Wang Yuja, Lukás Vondrácek and Nareh Arghamanyan, as it strives to nurture promising young talent. Beginning in 1994, at a time when piano recitals were rare and much-treasured events, the Festival has since established itself as a regular highlight in the musical landscape of Singapore, hosting pianists – and audiences – from all over the world as Asia's Premier Piano Festival.

PRESENTED BY

S GP I A N O FE ST

WWW.PIAN OFESTIVAL.C OM.SG

Family s t r e c n o C

2 & 3 SEPTEMBER 2017 SAT | 2PM & 4PM SUN | 2PM Prokofiev’s immortal symphonic fairytale Peter and the Wolf tells how young Peter sets off into the woods against his grandfather’s advice, encounters a wolf, and eventually emerges victorious – with a little help from his friends. Hear how each character in the story is depicted by a different musical instrument. Make this an unforgettable family musical outing!

Joshua Tan, conductor Magic Circle Mime Company

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All Concerts for Children are suitable for ages 4 and above.

No admission for infants-in-arms.

Retain your Concerts for Children tickets to enjoy 10% discount on the next production.

Supported by Lim & Tan Securities – A Musical Discovery, which enables children from disadvantaged families to attend SSO concerts for free, discovering the joy of music.

4 & 5 NOVEMBER 2017 SAT | 2PM & 4PM SUN | 2PM Join Leopold the Leopard and his best friend, a talking tree, as they tell a grand tale with the nature settings depicted in Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony.

Created by Victor Yerrid, a master puppeteer from the Jim Henson Company, this show will be a great holiday treat for kids and adults alike!

Joshua Tan, conductor Victor Yerrid, puppeteer

17 & 18 MARCH 2018 SAT | 2PM & 4PM SUN | 2PM Become your favourite superhero for a day and don your capes and suits for an action-packed programme with Alasdair Malloy as SuperMac, the Kilted Crusader. The music will provide a real rollercoaster ride of super heroic sounds from the SSO, showing off the orchestra’s super-strength, super-speed and super-sound!

Joshua Tan, conductor Alasdair Malloy, presenter

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25 & 26 NOVEMBER 2017 SAT & SUN | 2PM & 4PM Have you ever seen a kid conduct the SSO? Bring your kids to the ever-popular SSO Babies’ Proms, a unique concert experience where you are not expected to sit still nor sit quietly in the concert hall! A perfect way to introduce your little one to the world of classical music concerts!

Peter Moore, conductor

Babies’ Proms

Suitable for children aged 6 and below.

Tickets are required for children aged 2 and above.

Each concert lasts one hour, and pre-concert activities will be held 30 minutes before the respective show.

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Learn and e t a p i c i Part

DISCOVERING MUSIC! It’s another round trip of musical exploration with SSO Associate Conductor Jason Lai! Learn about the life of the composers behind the music and how they make whole symphonies out of building blocks of musical themes. Find out what went into Brahms’ last symphony, the dark visions and heady dramas of Berlioz’s “Fantastic Symphony” as well as Bartók’s exhilarating Concerto for Orchestra, where everyone on stage is a soloist!

Jason Lai, conductor

24 SEPTEMBER 2017 SUN | 4PM

GO FOURTH WITH BRAHMS! 28 JANUARY 2018 SUN | 4PM

THAT’S FANTASTIC! 1 MAY 2018 TUE | 4PM

EVERYONE IS A SOLOIST! Family packages & school packages available.

Suitable for ages 5 and above.

Please visit www.sso.org.sg for event updates.

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SINGAPORE SYMPHONY CHILDREN'S CHOIR THE SSCC EXPERIENCE For kids who love to sing! Join us for an unforgettable day of music-making. This day-long choral experience will help your child discover his or her own voice with workshops conducted by our Singapore Symphony Children's Choir (SSCC) conductors.

Participants will get a chance to experience a day in the life of an SSCC performer, and have the opportunity to sing on stage at the iconic Victoria Concert Hall.

4 & 5 SEPTEMBER 2017 MON & TUE | 9AM - 6PM Fee: $88 for all participants, ages 8 (born 2009) to 15 Registration opens 5 June 2017 Closing date: 28 August 2017 For more details, please visit www.sso.org.sg/sscc

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SSCC AUDITIONS The SSCC offers training and performance opportunities to children between the ages of 9 and 16. With instruction to develop vocal technique, music literacy and musicianship, the choir is committed to nurturing young talents and helping them achieve their musical potential. The experience of choral singing at a high level with the SSCC requires discipline and teamwork, which in turn fosters the building of confidence, selfesteem, and the development of important life skills. As part of the choral arm of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO), the SSCC offers the unique experience of performing with the SSO in orchestral works that require children’s voices.

24 SEPTEMBER 2017 SUN | 10AM ONWARDS Fee: $88 for all participants, ages 8 (born 2009) to 15 Registration opens: 5 June 2017 Closing date: 17 September 2017 For more details, please visit www.sso.org.sg/sscc

27 MAY 2018 SUN | 4PM

SSCC 12TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

TIMELESS SPLENDOUR Come along with the Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir and conductors Wong Lai Foon and Darius Lim as we take you on a journey through a series of choral works.

Join us and experience a musical evening of beautiful voices!

Principal Champion: Mr Christopher Ho & Mrs Rosy Ho

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VCH OPEN HOUSE Join us at the Victoria Concert Hall for a day of musical fun! From educational workshops to backstage and historical tours of the building, and not forgetting a variety of performances there’s definitely something for everyone!

23 MAY 2018 WED | 8.30AM ONWARDS For more details, please visit www.sso.org.sg/vchopenhouse

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AT A G L A N C E 2 017 / 18 V C H C ON CERT C ALENDER JULY 2017

DECEMBER 2017

GIL SHAHAM & ADELE ANTHONY 8 JUL | SAT | 7.30PM

SSO CHRISTMAS CONCERT 15 & 16 DEC | FRI & SAT | 7.30PM 17 DEC | SUN | 4PM

LUNCHTIME CONCERT 21 JUL | FRI | 12.30PM - 1.15PM LITE!: JIN TA & FRIENDS 30 JUL | SUN | 4PM

JANUARY 2018 THAT'S FANTASTIC! 28 JAN | SUN | 4PM

AUGUST 2017 NEW NOTES IN THE PIPELINE 6 AUG | SUN | 4PM FOR THE EMPEROR 11 & 12 AUG | FRI & SAT | 7.30PM

SEPTEMBER 2017 PETER AND THE WOLF 2 & 3 SEP | SAT ( 2PM & 4PM) | SUN (2PM) THE SSCC EXPERIENCE 4 & 5 SEP | MON & TUE | 9AM - 6PM FRENCH FLAVOURS 10 SEP | SUN | 4PM LONDON HAYDN QUARTET 21 SEP | THU | 7.30PM

FEBRUARY 2018 GOLD 50: THE KING’S SINGERS 23 FEB | FRI | 7.30PM THE KING’S SINGERS WITH THE SINGAPORE SYMPHONY CHILDREN'S CHOIR 24 FEB | SAT | 7.30PM

MARCH 2018 A IS FOR AIYAH 2 MAR | FRI | 7.30PM LUNCHTIME CONCERT 8 MAR | THU | 12.30 - 1.15PM SUMMON THE SUPERHEROES 17 & 18 MAR | SAT ( 2PM & 4PM) | SUN (2PM)

SSCC AUDITIONS 24 SEP | SUN |10AM ONWARDS

APRIL 2018

GO FOURTH WITH BRAHMS! 24 SEP | SUN | 4PM

RUSSIAN AT HEART 1 APR |SUN| 4PM

PRESIDENT’S YOUNG PERFORMERS CONCERT 29 SEP | FRI | 7.30PM

IN EVERY CORNER SING 8 APR | SUN | 4PM

OCTOBER 2017

MAY 2018

THE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA 15 OCT | SUN | 7.30PM

EVERYONE IS A SOLOIST! 1 MAY | TUE | 4PM

CELLISSO 22 OCT | SUN | 4PM

LA VOIX HUMAINE 12 & 13 MAY | SAT (7.30PM) | SUN (4PM)

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA 26 OCT | THU | 7.30PM

THE GLORY OF BAROQUE 18 & 19 MAY | FRI & SAT | 7.30PM

NOVEMBER 2017

VCH OPEN HOUSE 23 MAY | WED | 8AM ONWARDS

NATURE TALES 4 & 5 NOV | SAT ( 2PM & 4PM) | SUN (2PM)

TIMELESS SPLENDOUR 27 MAY | SUN | 4PM

ISABELLE DEMERS 20 NOV | MON | 12.30PM

JUNE 2018

BABIES’ PROMS 25 & 26 NOV | SAT & SUN | 2PM & 4PM

25TH SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL PIANO FESTIVAL 7 - 10 JUN | THU - SUN | 7.30PM CELESTIAL PIPES 16 JUN | SAT | 2PM & 4PM

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SIN G L E T I C K E T P R I C E S SINGAPORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTR A 2017/2018

CAT 1

CAT 2

CAT 3

CAT 4

CONCESSIONS

SSO President’s Young Performers Concert (29 Sep 2017)

$48

$38

$20

-

$25, $15

SSO Christmas Concert (15 - 17 Dec 2017)

$88

$68

$48

$28

$35, $20

A is for Aiyah (2 Mar 2018)

$72

$52

$32

$18

Cat 3 - 4: 30% off

SSO CHAMBER SERIES

CAT 1

CAT 2

CAT 3

CAT 4

CONCESSIONS

Russian at Heart (1 Apr 2018)

$38

$20

-

-

For the Emperor (11 & 12 Aug 2017) $20

French Flavours (10 Sep 2017)

$15 Russian at Heart: 20% for SSO ticketholders of Mar 30 SSO concert 2-Concert Package: 20% discount

The Glory of Baroque (18 & 19 May 2018)

VCH PRESENTS SERIES

CAT 1

CAT 2

CAT 3

CAT 4

Gil Shaham & Adele Anthony (8 Jul 2017)

$58

$38

$20

-

Lite!: Jin Ta & Friends (30 Jul 2017)

$38

$20

-

-

London Haydn Quartet (21 Sep 2017)

$38

$20

-

-

The Philharmonic Orchestra (15 Oct 2017)

$58

$38

$20

-

CELLISSO (22 Oct 2017)

$38

$20

-

-

Gold 50: The King’s Singers (23 Feb 2018)

$88

$68

$48

$20

The King’s Singers with the SSCC (24 Feb 2018)

$88

$68

$48

$20

La Voix Humaine (12 & 13 May 2018)

$98

$78

$48

$28

VCH ORGAN SERIES

CAT 1

CAT 2

CAT 3

CAT 4

CONCESSIONS

$15

Phantom of the Opera (26 Oct 2017)

$20

Celestial Pipes (16 Jun 2018)

Gil Shaham & Adele Anthony: 20% for SSO ticketholders of Jul 7 SSO concert 2-Concert Package: 20% discount (Cat 1-2) The King’s Singers & La Voix Humaine: $35, $15

CONCESSIONS

$15

CONCERTS FOR CHILDREN

CAT 1

CAT 2

CAT 3

CAT 4

CONCESSIONS

Peter and the Wolf (2 & 3 Sep 2017)

$40

$30

-

-

Family of 4 packages: $144 & $108

Nature Tales (4 & 5 Nov 2017)

$32

$25

-

-

Family of 4 packages: $116 & $90

Summon the Superheroes (17 & 18 Mar 2018)

$40

$30

-

-

Family of 4 packages: $144 & $108

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CAT 1

CAT 2

CAT 3

CAT 4

CONCESSIONS

Babies’ Proms (25 & 26 Nov 2017)

$40

$32

-

-

Tickets not required for child under 2 if accompanied by an adult with a ticket.

DISCOVERING MUSIC!

CAT 1

CAT 2

CAT 3

CAT 4

CONCESSIONS

Go Fourth With Brahms! (24 Sep 2017) That's Fantastic! (28 Jan 2018)

$20

$15 Family of 4 Package: $60

Everyone is a Soloist! (1 May 2018)

TIC K ETS WHEN TO BOOK A IS FOR AIYAH & CHRISTMAS CONCERTS

15 May 2017 22 May 2017

Priority sales for Friends of the SSO Public sales

SSO CHAMBER, VCH PRESENTS & VCH ORGAN SERIES

22 May 2017 25 May 2017

Priority sales for Friends of the SSO Public sales

CONCERTS FOR CHILDREN & DISCOVERING MUSIC!

29 May 2017 1 June 2017

Priority sales for Friends of the SSO Public sales

BABIES’ PROMS

4 July 2017 7 July 2017

Priority sales for Friends of the SSO Public sales

CORPORATE BOOKINGS Please call +65 6602 4245 or email ticketing@sso.org.sg for assistance.

SWIRE-SSO TICKETING SCHEME FOR SCHOOLS A is for Aiyah, SSO Chamber Series & Discovering Music!: $10 (min. 4 tickets)

Online at www.sistic.com.sg Call +65 6348 5555 Or visit any SISTIC outlet islandwide Concerts for Children: Peter and the Wolf & Summon the Superheroes: $24, $20 (15 tickets) Nature Tales: $24, $20 Schools are able to use the Tote Board Arts Grant to subsidise up to 50% (excluding GST) of the final ticket price.

Prices before $1 booking fee. Enjoy a complimentary talk with every school booking of 20 tickets.

SPECIAL DISCOUNTS Friends of the SSO: 10% discount Silver Friends: 15% discount Gold Friends: 20% discount Platinum Friends: 25% discount Valid for Subscription Concerts only.

Esplanade&Me, Gallery Insider & Kinokuniya Privilege Card: 10% off Subscription, SSO Chamber Series, VCH Presents Series and Singapore International Piano Festival concerts (Cat 1-3).

CONCESSIONS Senior citizens (55 years and above), full-time NSF men and full-time students enjoy concession discounts on production of identification. Venue ushers may request to view a valid concession pass. Concession tickets are strictly non-transferable.

No admission for children below 6 years of age unless otherwise indicated.

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

DEVELOPMENT & SPONSORSHIP

Mr Edward Loh Mr Chris Yong

Ms Peggy Kek (Head) Mr Anthony Chng Ms Nikki Chuang Ms Zhang Jingchao

PROGRAMMES (VCH) Ms Michelle Yeo (Head) Ms Erin Tan 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 PROGRAMMES (SSO) Ms Kua Li Leng (Head) Ms Teo Chew Yen Ms Jolene Yeo Community Outreach Ms Kathleen Tan Ms Vanessa Lee Choral Programmes Ms Regina Lee Ms Whitney Tan

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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 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

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