My first classical music concert. First thought, “I'm so going to fall asleep”, but inside I was pretty excited. There is a definite difference between listening to classical on a CD and in a concert with a full orchestra.
The Singapore Symphony Orchestra launched its first season of the new (real) millennium with a special twist by launching their new collaboration with Vivamusic and Woof! to present delay webcasts of all their concerts on the Internet. Vivamusic.com is proud to be chosen as the official website for the SSO, where surfers can access all materials related to the orchestra via the Classical Channel.
After the launch (open only to invited guests, as it states on my invitation card), it was time for the show to begin. As I slowly made my way towards the concert hall, I had the chance to get a glimpse of the Victoria Concert Hall where the SSO has called home since their beginnings in 1979.
The orchestra was still tuning their instruments when the audience streamed in. It was almost quiet, save for the occasional rustling of clothes and creaking of the wooden chairs as people made their way to the seats. A short silence followed by polite applause, as Lan Shui made his way to the conductor's stand.
From the first lift of his baton, I recognized the tune from Stanley Kubrick's �: A Space Odyssey”. Spectacular, dramatic and definitely an impressive piece to start off the concert, Lan Shui brought the orchestra through the paces of this rather philosophical Strauss work.
Inspired by German philosopher Friedrich Niezsche's poem, the score of “Also Sprach Zarathustra” is structured around eight chapter titles. The music therefore begins with the depiction of sunrise and going through a variety of themes like yearning, passion and learning.
An interval of fifteen minutes, which everyone took full advantage of, stretching limbs and whispering amongst themselves. Amazing enough, not a single pager or handphone rang during the whole performance!
More Strauss next, this time together with guest violinist Yuuki Wong. Born in Singapore in 1982, Yuuki became the youngest Singaporean child ever admitted to the world-renowned Yehudi Menuhin School in England. He performs the solo part of the “Violin Concerto” with a flourish that belies his tender years. I believe many in the audience (including me) wished that they too, could play a musical instrument as well.
For the last piece, the SSO picked “Salomé's Dance”, also known as “The Dance of the Seven Veils” before Lan Shui ended off the night with a joyful and beautiful encore.
Contrary to what I thought, I didn't fall asleep at all (though the middle-aged couple next to me did) and totally enjoyed the whole experience. The SSO took a while to warm up to their instruments but once they did, it was a fantastic journey all the way through. I look forward to more SSO performances in the future!
Masters Series (Jan 12 - 13)
An Evening of Richard Strauss
Lan Shui - Conductor
Yuuki Wong - Violin
RICHARD STRAUSS (1864 - 1949)
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30
Violin Concerto, Op. 8
Salomé's Dance from Salomé, Op. 54
