For decades, the Klais organ has sat on the stage inside the Victoria Concert Hall, with 2,012 alloy pipes towering over numerous SSO performances every concert season. A showpiece instrument, some might say. The organ, however, plays the starring role in the perennial VCHpresents Organ series.
Thanks to Singaporean organists such as Anne Maria Lim, Isaac Lee and Dr Phoon Yu, the spirit of the Klais organ has continued to inspire, entertain and engage audiences. These musicians have artfully shown the instrument’s true nature, spanning ethereal harmonies to triumphant anthems. Joining the efforts to champion organ music is Loraine Muthiah, the performing host of October’s upcoming programme A Haunted Halloween Hymn.
“Halloween is a theme people can relate to in different ways and many people enjoy spooky experiences,” shared Loraine, also the mastermind behind the annual programme. “I felt that this would be an interesting way to present organ music, which itself has some scary connotations arising from its usage in film.”
With the debut performance held in 2022, this year’s Halloween organ programme returns with not only the eerie expressive sounds of the instrument, but also the voices of the Singapore Symphony Chorus that give added dimension to the pieces. Loraine elaborated: “Some of the music speaks about the suffering of the soul, which the voice really gives effect to.”
With October looming near, Bravissimo picked the musician’s brains about the upcoming Halloween programme and her affinity for the pipe organ.
As a practising law professional and an active organist in the local classical music scene, what is it like balancing work, music and your own personal time?
It can sometimes get pretty hectic trying to juggle different things all at once, especially close to a performance date or during busy seasons. I try to manage this by focusing on things on a project-by-project basis. I love both the music and legal sides of my work: each uses different aspects of my mind, which helps me feel whole.
What are some interesting facts people should know about the organ?
Playing the pipe organ is like having a little orchestra at your fingertips. It can mimic a variety of sounds, from soft celestial-like murmurings of strings or flutes to roaring timbres that you cannot create on the piano.
The pipe organ also works well with many genres of music, including film, jazz, rock, ethnic and even electronic music. The Interstellar soundtrack featured the pipe organ quite prominently. At last year’s Halloween Night, the organ was used to create “alien breathing” sounds. Electronic artist Bonobo had a collaboration featuring the pipe organ during his concert at the Royal Albert Hall last year. The pipe organ truly is a versatile instrument with much room for creativity.
More young people are now showing interest in classical music. What do you think can be done to engage young audiences in the classical music scene?
This is a very encouraging development. With the ease of access to music online and via streaming platforms, more young people have been able to tap into classical music works. Also, many of them are interested in classical music associated with the films they love.
I feel we can present a range of classical music concerts, showcasing works across the different centuries, as well as the versatility of classical music, featuring or in collaboration with other music. Special concert formats with audience participation, like dressing up at our Halloween organ programme, also help to make appreciating classical music fun.
Share more about the creative process behind the upcoming A Haunted Halloween Hymn.
We looked for music that captures both the loud and scary, as well as the quiet, haunting aspects of Halloween. Last year’s concert featured an all-pipe organ programme. This year, there will be choir and organ pieces, solo organ music, and also music with just the choir alone.
For the solo organ music, I will look forward to showcase a variety so that the audience can get a taste of different kinds of organ music. There is a little Bach (not the Toccata as we wanted to have something else this year!), a little scary or spooky-sounding French music, and some film music. I don’t want to give away too much of what will happen at the concert, so I’ll just say come and enjoy!
What do you hope attendees can gain out of the spook-tecular organ showcase?
I hope that attendees are treated to a wonderful concert experience, whether it is dressing up for the show or just being immersed in a different world of music during the performance. For those attending an organ recital for the first time, I hope that you discover that the organ is a fabulous instrument, capable of creating a variety of sounds, and maybe you’ll be interested to come back and experience other organ recitals and classical music concerts!
Catch Loraine and the Singapore Symphony Chorus in A Haunted Halloween Hymn, happening from 28 to 29 October 2023.
We would like to thank Lee Foundation for their support towards the concert.
