Star Wars and Beyond, The Iconic Film Scores of John Williams comes to Singapore

The well known film scores of John Williams would be staged at the MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands on 11 and 12 March 2016 for 3 performances only.  

John Williams has composed some of the most popular and recognizable film scores in cinematic history.  From the first sinister bass notes of Jaws to the grandeur of Jurassic Park, from the emotion of E.T. to the mystery of Harry Potter, from the sublime Schindler’s List to the sensational Superman, these magnificent music masterpieces remain as popular today as when first released. Crowning it all is Star Wars, as one of the most epic scores of all time.

Anthony Inglis will conduct the Singapore Metropolitan Festival Orchestra in this performance.  He is currently Music Director of The National Symphony Orchestra in London and is Music Supervisor/Consultant for The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre, a show he has been with for 27 years.

PERFORMANCE TIMES:
Friday 7:30pm
Saturday: 2:00pm and 7:30pm

Bookings: www.MarinaBaySands.com/ticketing or www.sistic.com.sg

Celebrating Nature in Singapore concert at the Singapore Bontanic Gardens

From SG50 Sing-Along to Deng Zhi Hao 邓志浩 concert

On 2 consecutive Saturdays, I attended 2 Chinese music concerts.

As the name suggested, SG50 Sing-Along was a massive karaoke session featuring mainly Chinese songs over the past few decades, led by UFM radio presenters.   The attractive part of this concert, to me, was watching veteran singers like Huang Qing Yuan黄清元, Zhuang Xue Fang 庄雪芳, Maggie Teng 邓妙华performed for the first time, in addition to Roy Li Fei Hui and Jimmy Ye.  It's a pity that most of them only performed one song - could they also lead in some singalong?

The selection of songs was rather mish-mash: ranging from foreign folk songs, local and foreign pop hits, our campaign and Sing Singapore songs.  As a SG50 event, maybe a purely local-composition evening?  We definitely have enough local hits to sustain the whole evening.

The anti-climax part of the concert would be the singing by the various company bosses.  Knowing the fact that they were not professional singers, there would be a need to enhance the presentation of these items.

From a 10,000 seating capacity event to a 100 only intimate concert,  Taiwanese singer Deng Zhi Hao charmed the audience at Blackearth Museum in Joo Chiat on 18 July.  Catching his performance again after 20 years, Deng Zhi Hao still sounded as good as he was at his concert at Thian Hock Kheng Temple.  He was still as chatty as before, and this time round, he shared with audience the secret of getting old.

He sounded good with his acoustic set, and not those with accompanied orchestra track.

The concert also featured guest singer, local Xinyao musician Wong Hong Mok. Both of them blended well and they received warm applause from the audience.

An enjoyable concert overall.

Björn Again‘s 25th Anniversary Tour at the MasterCard Theatres, Marina Bay Sands

The ABBA tribute show Björn Again would be returning to Singapore for 3 performances at the MasterCard Theatres.  Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, Björn Again has been delighting audiences worldwide with their action packed performance.   I had the pleasure catching their performance when they last performed here in 2013.  (Bjorn Again 2013)


More on ABBA:
ABBA Museum in Stockholm Sweden

L'amour by ESO Symphony

A concert by amateur group ESO Symphony, led by Eric Lee Tsu Hock.  Pieces performed included Rossini's William Tell Overture, Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante K364 and Bizet's Carmen Suite No 2.  Jeremy Chiew and Nanako Takata were soloists for the Mozart piece.

As an amateur group, the members were a disciplined lot. All in all, a good effort by them.

Beatlemania: A Good Survey of the Fab's Music

Beatlemania is a chronological survey of Beatles music, starting from the members' stint in Hamburg (Germany), to their final days together.  This musical-concert was presented in few segments: Hamburg period (with Pete Best), Liverpool, the BBC Sessions, Ed Sulliven Show in the USA, and their subsequent events such as the movie A Hard Day's Night, Sergeant Pepper's period etc.

As a musical staging, it could be monotonous as there was not much dramatic elements into it.  The stage set was simple, with simple projection screen acting as backdrops and indicating the period they were in.  As a performance, however, the 4 actors put up a good show.  Most of them did have some resemblance to the original members and they sounded like them too.  The band was tight and their playing and singing were definitely the highlight of the show.

This is the 50th anniversary of Beatles conquering the United States music scene.  It was thus timely that we were treated to an enjoyable performance by this tribute band.  It just reminded us how great the music of the Beatles are, and how Paul, John, George and Ringo would continue to win new fans over the next 50 years and more.

Beatlemania On Tour

While the original band may have disbanded decades ago, their music and image still live on through the tribute band Beatlemania.   Beatlemania is coming to perform in Singapore at the MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands from 5-6 September 2014.  Tickets are available at SISTIC.

The concert would take audiences on a journey through the main years of the ‘Fab Four’ with a fascinating musical story that explores the band’s humble beginning in Liverpool, its rise to fame, cultural change and the Beatlemania phenomenon that changed music forever.

Employing authentic ‘Beatle instruments’, amplifiers and costumes, coupled with musically perfect renditions of your favourite Beatles classics, Beatlemania – On Tour recreates the spirit of The Beatles in ways that have audiences raving about them for weeks.  The Singapore performance will feature UK’s Joe Kane (Paul McCartney), Clark Gilmour (John Lennon), Craig McGown (George Harrison) and Grahame Critcher (Ringo Starr), selected for the show in 2013.  New moments have been added, including new musical tracks that will have audiences out of their seats the whole night long.  

While we cannot have the real thing, we still have Beatlemania.

Margaret Leng Tan: Cage - Kaprow - Fluxus

I always approach modern music with apprehension.  The concert by Margaret Leng Tan was no exception.   We had Margaret Leng Tan playing John Cage's 4' 33" on toy piano, and Music for Amplified Toy Pianos.    Some pieces were more performance art to me, such as George Brecht's 5 event scores where not much music was performed.  Another piece Dick Higgins's Danger Music no 17 (Scream! Scream! Scream! Scream! Scream!), just involved, literally, screaming.  One scream was aiming at the street.

But it was a joy watching Margaret Leng Tan in concert.  She seemed to be having fun.  She would be back for the 2015 Singapore International Festival of Arts main programme and let's see what she could come up with.

The Songs We Sang - Xinyao reunion at Bras Basah Complex

It was a special day on 6 July for the reunion of Xinyao singers at Bras Basah Complex.  Xinyao was a term given to the Singapore Chinese music scene in the 1980s to early 1990s, where young Singaporeans started to compose their own songs in Mandarin.  It was in response to the type of music being played on the radio stations at that time, and also the need to reflect a Singapore identity through locally-composed songs.

Although the Xinyao movement quietened down in the early 90s, the key players continued to pursue music, mostly in the popular music front.  Most of them have made it big as performers, songwriters and producers.

A documtentry would be made on the Xinyao movement and the producers wanted to re-create the vibrant scene of that time. Bras Basah Complex was a popular venue for album launch during that time, and the place was always packed with supporters during those events.




The rain earlier did not dampen the spirits of the attendees, most of whom were in the 30s - 50s age range.

I arrived late and missed a few singers.   As it was so crowded, I could only listen to singers such as Pan Ying and could not see them at all.....until I saw a few audience using ingenious way to see their idols....

A memorable Bach's St John Passion by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Decided to attend this SSO performance on 4 April at the Esplanade Concert Hall as I had not listened to this piece before and since this was a big work, why not?   One of the 2 surviving Passions composed by Bach which was performed on Good Friday in 1724 (290 years ago).

Conductor Lim Yau led the chorus well, which included the Singapore Symphony Chorus, Hallelujah Chorus and the NAFA Chamber Choir.  The choir was supported by a scaled down orchestra.  I enjoyed the male soloists more: Steve Davislim (tenor) as Evangelist, Martin Snell as Pilate and Jan-Hendrik Rootering as Christus - partly they had the more "meaty" singing roles.  The other soloists were Nadine Lehner and Lucia Cervoni.

The close to 2 hours performance (without intermission) may seem long initially, but I did not feel the length of the duration.  A good evening out.

Dee Dee Bridgewater opened the last edition of Mosaic Festival

This was my second time attending Dee Dee Bridgewater's concert, and both times at the Esplanade Concert Hall.  Her opening concert at the Mosaic Festival would also be the last edition, as The Esplanade would rethink the current format for its music offerings. For this concert, Dee Dee Bridgewater covered the songs by Billie Holiday, where she recorded an album Eleanora Fagan (1915–1959): To Billie with Love From Dee Dee Bridgewater in 2009. The album won the 2011 Grammy_Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album.

Dee Dee was in good mood that evening, and she chattered quite a bit and also teased the audience for not knowing the jazz standards.  She covered such tunes as All of Me, Fine and Mellow, Mother's Son-in-law and of course God Bless the Child. An enjoyable evening, and also the countdown to the end of this Festival.

Instead of refining its programming, The Esplanade chose to end the Mosaic Festival. This is possibly in reaction to the other music festivals in town, namely St Jerome's Laneway Festival, the new Jazz Festivals at the Marina Bay Sands, the concerts held in connection with the F1 event etc.  We will see what new format or ideas would come out from The Esplanade. Hopefully there won't be too many returning artists appearing at Esplanade stage.

Adelaide Festival opened with free open air concert

An outdoor concert at Elder Park was held to officially open the Adelaide Festival 2014.  After watching Girl Asleep at the Festival Theatre, it was logical for me to attend the outdoor concert.   First up was Charles Bradley, who had a hard life and only found fame recently.  He had a soulful and sad voice, reminded me of James Brown.

Next up was Kid Creole and the Coconuts,

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Esplanade Concert Hall

Estonia is known as a country of singers.   Although I have visited this country before, I never had the opportunity to attend a choir performance.  Thus it was a good occasion to attend the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir held at the Esplanade Concert Hall on 13 Dec.

The choir, conducted by founder Tonu Kaljuste, presented sacred music by Bach, Brahms, Part for the first part of the concert.  The second half consisted of secular music,  with works by Claude Debussy and Estonian composer Veljo Tormis.  I found the last piece by Tormis, Raua needmine (Curse upon Iron), interesting as it was a contemporary piece with a folk element.  The shamanic drum was used by Kaljuste to provide rhythm to the singers and also added some mystic element into the piece.

A well balanced programme that pleased the general audience and serious music lovers.

Aerosmith rocked Singapore

Arriving at Garden by the Bay, support act Euphoria Audio had already started its performance segment. 







Euphoria Audio is a good rock band and the band members could rally the audience.  Given time, they may have the potential to be well known.

It was past 9:30 pm when Aerosmith took the stage.  Even though the group members are all above 60 years, they still rocked like youngsters, starting with the song "Love in the Elevator".

Steven Tyler was flamboyant, even down to his mike stand.

With an extended stage, we got to see Steven Tyler and Joe Perry upfront....

Leaving the other band members on the main stage.  The band performed songs such as Cryin', Living' on the Edge, the Beatles' Come Together and of course I Don't wanna Miss a Thing.

Joe Perry did vocal duty on one blues track.

On Walk this Way, beatboxer Hikakin provided the beat to the song.

The Boston band later did their hit Dream On for the encoure.

It was a good concert to end the Singapore Social Concert, and also the Social Awards.  Will it return to Singapore next year?

Carly Rae Jepsen, Psy and Cee Lo Green held centrestage at Singapore Social Concert, 24 May

When I arived at Garden By the Bay, Blush had already performed its set and Carly Rae Jepsen just came on stage.  I caught Carly the previous evening at the Social Star Awards held at Marina Bay Sands, and was hopping to see her performing other materials.

The LaBeque Sisters with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, 4 May 13

It was a rare treat to see a concerto for 2 pianos. Katia and Marielle Labeque performed Poulenc's Concerto for 2 Pianos in D Minor with the SSO.  They played in sync and great to watch on stage. And to the delight of the crowd, they played 3 encores.  The SSO also played excerpts of Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, and Schmitt's La tragedie de Salome.

Adrian Legg charms Singapore

It was one of those days that you wished you could pick up the guitar and play again, after listening to Adrian Legg's performance at the Esplanade Recital Studio.  He played to an intimate crowd on Sunday evening, and the great acoustics of the Recital Studio enhanced our enjoyment.

Adrian Legg was not only a great guitarist, he was also a good storyteller with a sense of humour.  For example, he talked about his daughter's ballet teacher before launching a song that he dedicated to her, Mrs Jack's Last Stand.

I felt uplifting after the concert.  It was great to meet him up close during the autograph session.  Let's hope he would make a return visit soon.

Esperanza Spalding and Radio Music Society live in Singapore

Esperanza Spalding performed to a packed audience at the Singapore Esplanade Concert Hall last evening (13 Mar).  I believe most knew about her when she won the Grammy Best New Artist in 2011, to the disappointment of Justin Bieber fans.

For the concert, she was backed up a 11-member ensemble Radio Music Society.  Esperanza staged her concert as if she was talking to a (former) love interest and it led to a song. At times, the presentation was a bit ackward and it left the audience alienated.  This was how I felt with the first half of the concert.  While she and the band played well, the connection was not there. 

Madama Butterfly by Singapore Lyric Opera

After 7 years, Singapore Lyric Opera staged Madama Butterfly at the Espalande Theatre.  The role of Cio-Cio-San was sung by Mako Nishimoto, her second time as reprising her role as Madama Butterfly.  She did a good job in this production, in particular the second and third act where we could feel her emotions.

Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Krystian Zimerman

First show for 2013.  The SSO played the Beethoven's Symphony No 7 beautifully.  The highlight was of course Krystian Zimerman.  It was interesting to see him play contemporary composer Witold Lutoslawski's Concerto for Piano and Orchestra.  I am not sure how many will get the CD though.





Nonetheless, it was almost full house for this concert, even if Zimerman was not playing a familiar repertoire.  It was a pity that quite a number of audience left after the intermission, where the SSO played the Beethoven's Symphony No 7.

A good start for the orchestra.