Jason Lai (side) conducted, and a programme of popular melodies and classics performed by the Singapore Symphonic Orchestra (SSO) opened the doors for my 8 year old grandson to appreciate the best in music where local talents and composers feature prominently.
Having played over 50 symphonic concerts a year the orchestra, which was born in 1979, presented yet another afternoon of Home with the Classics at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music within the NUS Campus at Clementi on Saturday, 2nd August at 4pm (last illus. below).
Familiar with museum outings and Esplanade pop shows these last few years, it was Josh's first experience with a symphony orchestra. The selection couldn't have been better and the conductor couldn't have been friendlier, especially when there were many young parents with children.
Introducing each performance to help everyone understand the music about to be played, Jason Lai who hails from the UK, provided information about the pieces so simply in clipped English the audience was able to appreciate Leonard Berstein, Johann Stauss II, Georges Bizet, Edward Elgar, John Williams and our own local composer Kelly Tang without much ado.
Somehow I realised he enjoyed the concert and appreciated at least four composers that afternoon but to Josh, Stars Wars Suite was the best and Sketches of Singapore second. Familiarity, I guess.
As we took the lift down after the show, a young man on the ground floor ushered us to what was a food surprise, local mouth-watering eats plus photograph taking. There were two areas filled with bites and picture-taking session provided free by 15 generous sponsors. Thanks to the sponsors, Conductor Lai, the Orchestra and organisers.
A Happy National Day to all, especially our children.
NB: The Other Side of the Coin
I went home that evening, turned on Cable and witnessed little children being raped, ravaged and savaged by war. A hospital scene showed a 3 year old boy, shaking in fear and pain, another with tubes all over him. Shrapnel covered both their little bodies. Sadly, the atrocities are created by adults, and children too young even to understand, suffer the consequences.
Other images from Google.
7 comments:
Hi Andy thank you for joining us and happy that you and your grandson enjoyed the concert! See you at the film concert!
With such a busy schedule that you have we thank you for replying to our mail.
Josh and I shall try to make it this weekend.
Jason Lai is a leading light in a new generation of Asian conductors and has recently been appointed associate Conductor for both the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and the SSO. He is also the Principal Conductor of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Orchestra.
Hi Andy Lim, where have you been all this while? It's good to know that you're active now on FB...
Cheers
Thanks Randy for visit and query. Still OK. I'm hoping my blog will survive to the end of this year after which I might consider closing it. A lot of hard work.
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Such a lovely photo of you with your grandson. Glad he's enjoying the classical music, and nice to know that the symphony took a spin on Star Wars. Going beyond the traditional tunes to explore pop culture definitely helps to increase the fanbase.
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