SSO Unveils Exciting Line-Up For 2023/2024 Season
The new season will kick off on a high note with SSO Pops: The Music of Hans Zimmer in July, followed by a slew of exceptional performances including SSO National Day Concert in August as well as concerts in the upcoming months by acclaimed virtuosos including Mischa Maisky, Leonidas Kavakos, Bomsori Kim, Olga Peretyatko, Rudolf Buchbinder, Garrick Ohlsson, Bruce Liu and more
Singapore, 4 May 2023 — The Singapore Symphony Orchestra unveils an exciting line-up of its 2023/2024 season bringing audiences compelling and memorable musical experiences from July 2023 to June 2024.
Kicking off the new season in July, SSO Pops: The Music of Hans Zimmer, conducted by Gerard Salonga, will spotlight iconic works by Zimmer, who is regarded as one of the most admired film composers of our time. Inspired by the time-honoured traditions of The Last Samurai, the cosmic journey of Interstellar, and the unsung heroism of The Dark Knight. Dedicated to Raffles Hotel Singapore, SSO’s Official Hotel, this performance is one not-to-be-missed.
Classical music lovers can look forward to concerts featuring renowned guest soloists such as Israeli cellist Mischa Maisky, Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos, South Korean violinist Bomsori Kim and more, plus enthralling performances led by SSO’s Music Director Hans Graf and Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez, as well as acclaimed guest conductors such as Han-Na Chang, Yue Bao, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Mario Venzago, Gerard Salonga, Andrew Litton and Pierre Bleuse.
In the months of July, March and May, enjoy free concerts across the island in the SSO Lunchtime Concerts, SSO In Your Community, Temasek Foundation SSO Symphony In The Gardens, Temasek Foundation SSO Music In The Meadow, and SSO Mother’s Day Concert.
Families with kids can look forward to fun and interactive programmes like SSO Babies’ Proms, and SSO’s Concerts For Children series, staged during the school holidays, with titles such as Little Red Riding Hood, Sleepover at the Museum and the classic Carnival of the Animals to look forward to.
Into its sixth installment, the Temasek Foundation SSO National Day Concert in August will showcase Singaporean composers like Zechariah Goh, Sulwyn Lok, Kelly Tang, Chua Jon Lin and Felix Phang, amongst others. Led by Singaporean conductor Ng Tianhui, the performance will feature the SSO, Singapore Symphony Chorus, Singapore Symphony Youth Choir and Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir. The concert will be livestreamed free on SSO’s YouTube channel.
The new season sees Singapore’s brightest violin star Chloe Chua extend her role as SSO’s Artist-In-Residence for a second year. Chloe will perform in four concerts throughout the season, including a chamber recital.
Other notable works that will be showcased in the new season include the spectacular tone poems of Richard Strauss, Schubert’s Great Symphony, Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, Brahms’s Requiem, Tchaikovsky’s Symphonies 4, 5 and 6, Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, all five Beethoven Piano Concertos, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concertos Nos. 2 and 3 and Chopin’s Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2.
July 2023
The new season is off to a resounding start on 14 and 15 July with SSO Pops: The Music of Hans Zimmer, featuring iconic works from one of the most admired film composers of our time. Conducted by Gerard Salonga, audiences can look forward to music from films like Interstellar, Inception, Man of Steel, The Da Vinci Code, Madagascar, Gladiator and more.
The month of July will offer a handful of free concerts, starting with the popular SSO Lunchtime Concert on 19 July, which will see Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez leading the orchestra for an hour’s worth of classical favourites at the Victoria Concert Hall. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis. This is followed by SSO In Your Community on 21 July – a free concert held at Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), also led by Rodolfo.
No stranger to our outdoor concerts, Rodolfo will once again lead the orchestra at the Singapore Botanic Gardens for Temasek Foundation SSO Symphony In The Gardens on 22 July. Gather your loved ones and furry friends for an evening filled with nature and classical music performed live by a full orchestra.
The month wraps up on a high note with Chloe Chua and He Ziyu on 27 and 28 July. Led by Music Director Hans Graf, witness the impeccable talent of SSO Artist-In-Residence Chloe Chua as she performs Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante, joined by another youthful virtuoso, He Ziyu. Maestro Hans Graf ramps up the stakes as the SSO chronicles Richard Strauss’s ground-breaking orchestral spectacle, Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life) under his baton.
August 2023
Another exciting month awaits starting with Seika Ishida Plays Chopin on 4 and 5 August. Having received much praise in her debut with the SSO in 2022, the award-winning Japanese pianist returns to play Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2, a work of refined nostalgia to match her exquisite command of the keyboard. To complete the evening, Maestro Hans Graf and the SSO will showcase Schubert’s Great Symphony, an enduring statement of musical nobility.
The Temasek Foundation SSO National Day Concert, an annual celebration of Singapore and its musical identity, returns on 13 August at the Esplanade Concert Hall for its sixth edition. Conducted by Singaporean conductor Ng Tianhui, the performance is a showcase of Singaporean capability in every aspect of music, spotlighting Singaporean composers and artists.
A notable highlight this month, the Three Continents Cello Concerto on 19 August will mark the Asian premiere of the Drei Kontinente Cello Concerto. This collaboration by acclaimed contemporary composers Nico Muhly, Sven Helbig and Zhou Long, co-commissioned by the SSO, will be championed by its dedicatee, renowned cellist Jan Vogler. The performance, led by conductor Yue Bao, will also feature Rachmaninoff’s thrilling Symphonic Dances.
On 20 August, Singaporean organist Anne Maria Lim and electronic music master Benjamin Ang of Cosmic Armchair and NUS Electronic Music Lab will come together for VCHpresents Organ: Acoustic Shock – An Organ and Electronic Music Spectacular. Witness what the power of electronic music and the pipe organ can do to charge up the concert hall as they present works by composers Larry King and special renditions of selected local songs.
To round up a music-filled month, Bliss – Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto on 25 and 26 August will see British clarinettist Julian Bliss team up with the SSO under the baton of Swiss maestro Mario Venzago to present works from three of the finest composers at the turn of the 18th century: Rossini, Mozart and Haydn.
September 2023
On 2 September, SSO Artist-In-Residence Chloe Chua stars in Chloe Chua Plays Paganini where she is set to dazzle audiences with her performance of Violin Concerto No. 1 by Paganini, a composer famously known for impossible feats on the violin. That’s not all – in the second half of the concert, the Singapore Symphony Chorus and the Singapore Symphony Youth Choir will perform Debussy’s Nocturnes and Vaughan Williams’s Toward The Unknown Region, a humanistic choral inspiration celebrating the spirit of adventure and discovery.
On 9 and 10 September, Concerts for Children: Little Red Riding Hood makes for the perfect September school holiday activity for the whole family. Let the SSO, under the baton of Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez, and the actors of Dandi Productions show you how Little Red thwarts the Big Bad Wolf to save the day with lively theatre, music and bold costumes.
Gear up for an inspiring evening on 12 and 13 September as Shanghai-born Singaporean pianist Yao Xiao Yun takes the stage for VCHpresents Intimate Moments: 乐享时光: 琴云秋乐 Nocturne. Hear her thoughts on the piano as the anchor in chamber music, a genre best enjoyed amongst friends and witness the 2005 National Piano & Violin Competition First Prize Winner in action as she performs with musicians of the SSO at the Victoria Concert Hall Dance Studio.
This year’s President’s Young Performers Concert on 23 September will shine the spotlight on multi award-winning pianist Hao Jia as he performs Rachmaninoff’s popular Third Piano Concerto. Mendelssohn’s popular Scottish Symphony makes up the second half of this concert directed by Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez.
Fans of the cello will want to bookmark SSO Gala: Mischa Maisky and Han-Na Chang, happening on 29 and 30 September. A marvellous showcase for one of the most celebrated cellists today, Mischa Maisky will perform Saint-Saëns’s uplifting Cello Concerto No. 1. Joining him and the SSO is the charismatic South Korean conductor Han-Na Chang, a famed cellist herself, who will also direct Wagner’s serene Siegfried Idyll and Mozart’s splendid Jupiter Symphony.
October 2023
The month is off to an insightful start with Unboxing the Organ with Dr Phoon Yu and the Lorong Boys on 1 October as organist Phoon Yu and acclaimed Singaporean band The Lorong Boys teach you all about the true meaning of music history, Singapore style. From Bach to the Beatles, Mozart to Metallica, and Strauss to Sambal, there is bound to be something for everyone to enjoy.
On 5 October, Heroic Tales of Richard Strauss, led by Music Director Hans Graf, will see the SSO bring to life the merry misadventures of the prankster Till Eulenspiegel and the fantastic escapades of the would-be knight, Don Quixote, with the latter featuring SSO Principal Cello/The HEAD Foundation Chair Pei-Sian Ng and Principal Viola Zhang Manchin.
The SSO is delighted to restage last year’s sold-out Babies’ Proms programme, in response to popular demand. Introduce your little ones to the wonderful world of music through SSO Babies’ Proms on 7 and 8 October. Hosted by presenter William Ledbetter, affectionately known as Uncle Bill, the fun and interactive programme will not only take parents and kids on a journey to discover and learn all about the orchestra and the various instruments, it is also bound to get them out of their seats and moving along to the music.
SSO Gala: Hans Graf and Leonidas Kavakos on 13 and 14 October will see the famed Greek violin virtuoso perform Tchaikovsky’s glorious Violin Concerto. The music of the ever-popular Czech composer Dvořák bookends this concert – four selections from his picturesque Legends for orchestra and the lyrical Sixth Symphony.
Another rare opportunity to catch Leonidas Kavakos in action, VCHpresents Chamber: Leonidas Kavakos in Recital on 15 October will feature some of the most exquisite pieces by the likes of Beethoven and Ravel.
On 20 October, join British violinist Chloë Hanslip and American maestro Andrew Litton as they present Bennett Violin Concerto and Tchaikovsky 4, featuring the Asian premiere of American composer Robert Russell Bennett’s Violin Concerto followed by Tchaikovsky’s tumultuous symphonic masterpiece, the Fourth Symphony.
Catch them again on 27 October for Duke Violin Concerto and Tchaikovsky 6 in the Asian premiere of Vernon Duke’s Violin Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s epic Pathétique Symphony (No. 6).
The pipe organ has a unique place in haunting harmonies, so don’t miss VCHpresents Organ: A Haunted Halloween Hymn on 28 and 29 October. The voices of the Singapore Symphony Chorus will fill the Victoria Concert Hall with the music of Dan Forrest, Wojciech Kilar, Maurice Duruflé and more. Join them and returning Halloween host, organist Loraine Muthiah, as they raise the spirits of music from beneath the scores.
November 2023
Delve into the world of Baroque music on 2 and 3 November as Andrew Arthur, Associate Director and harpsichordist of the UK’s renowned period ensemble, The Hanover Band, leads the SSO in two VCHpresents Baroque Festival programmes: Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos Part I and Part II -– some of the finest music ever written.
On 10 and 11 November, let SSO Artist-In-Residence Chloe Chua transport you to scenic China with her performance of the exquisite Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto by Chinese composers He Zhanhao and Chen Gang. Led by Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez, the concert begins with the soulful warmth of Sunshine Over Tashkurgan and ends with the sunlit exaltation of Beethoven’s spirited Eighth Symphony.
Treat the family to an afternoon of live entertainment and music on 17 and 18 November as Temasek Foundation SSO Concerts for Children: Carnival of the Animals makes a comeback at the Victoria Concert Hall. The delightfully vivid Carnival of the Animals has entertained generations of music lovers, both young and old. Hailing from Canada, L’Arsenal à Musique will lend its theatrical talents to join the SSO in presenting this fun-filled concert for children.
On 23 and 24 November, award-winning Canadian pianist Bruce Liu will be in town for Chopin and Beethoven – Bruce Liu and Jukka-Pekka Saraste where he will perform Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Prominent Finnish maestro Jukka-Pekka Saraste also leads the SSO in Schoenberg’s eye-opening Chamber Symphony No. 2 and Beethoven’s First Symphony.
December 2023
With a distinguished career spanning over 60 years, Austrian pianist Rudolf Buchbinder is a legend of our time. Catch him live in action as both piano soloist and conductor in two back-to-back concerts on 8 and 9 December for Beethoven’s Piano Concertos 2 & 3 and Piano Concertos 1 & 4 respectively. Fuelled by his lifelong dedication to Beethoven, Buchbinder is a unique fount of wisdom on the great composer’s music.
Rudolf Buchbinder caps his visit to Singapore on 10 December with VCHpresents Chamber: Moonlight, Pathétique and Appassionata, showcasing some of the most celebrated piano sonatas by Beethoven.
A perfect way to add cheer to your year-end festivities, SSO Christmas Fundraising Concert, led by Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez on 14 and 15 December, will see the Singapore Symphony family dress the stage with musical joy and blessed harmonies for the yuletide season.
January 2024
Two of Singapore’s finest young musicians, violinist Chloe Chua and organist Isaac Lee , will come together on 5 and 6 January for VCHpresents Chamber: Chloe and Isaac Go Baroque, where they will unveil a treasure trove of rare Baroque gems including pieces by Vitali, Tartini, and Locatelli. Audiences can look forward to virtuoso displays of both technical finesse and soulful emotion.
Over two weekends in January, SSO Music Director Hans Graf leads two back-to-back tributes to the music of Rachmaninoff. On 12 and 13 January, veteran American pianist Garrick Ohlsson stars in Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto 2 in a programme with the composer’s Symphony No. 2.
On 18 and 19 January, South Korean pianist Jae-Hyuck Cho is the soloist in Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto 3. This is paired with Rachmaninoff’s beautiful Third Symphony.
Movie lovers will not want to miss SSO Pops: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial – Film with Live Orchestra on 26 and 27 January. A beloved classic from 1982, E.T is a moving tale of friendship, courage and gratitude that has captivated viewers of all ages. Watch the movie with the entire soundtrack performed live by the SSO conducted by Joshua Tan to see how young Elliot helps ET “phone home”, and be uplifted by the incomparable music of John Williams.
February 2024
Mozart’s celebrated comic opera, The Marriage of Figaro, capers onto stage on 3 and 4 February. Led by guest violinist Wang Xiaoming, First Concertmaster of Zurich Opera House, VCHpresents Chamber: Figaro in a Pocket will showcase a miniature version of one of the most popular operatic masterpieces on stage.
Sprinkle a dash of musical bliss on your Sunday afternoon with VCHpresents Chamber: Sunday Afternoon Fancies on 25 February, presenting a programme of English choral and string delights. From the divine harmonies of Tavener to Shakespearean songs with a touch of jazz, the heartfelt nostalgia of Vaughan Williams to the whimsical gems of Rutter, this performance featuring the Singapore Symphony Youth Choir, led by Choirmaster Wong Lai Foon, and musicians of the SSO is set to make your spirit sing all day with joy.
March 2024
Conductor Laureate of the SSO, Lan Shui returns on 1 March for Lan Shui and Bomsori. While he was SSO’s Music Director from 1997 to 2019, Mahler’s monumental symphonies have been a signature of his programmes, and now audiences can look forward to this rendition of the First Symphony under his baton. Korean superstar violinist Bomsori Kim – who was the SSO’s first international guest soloist, back in April 2021, during Singapore’s post-lockdown recovery from the pandemic – makes a welcome and well-deserved return to audiences here in 2024. She will present the panoramic splendour of Nielsen’s Violin Concerto.
A handful of free concerts will be available island-wide this month, starting with SSO Lunchtime Concert on 6 March, SSO In Your Community on 8 March, and Temasek Foundation SSO Music In The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay on 9 March – all led by Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez.
On 14 March, VCHpresents Chamber: Smetana, Mozart and Barber will celebrate the 200th birth anniversary of Smetana, touted as the father of Czech music. Witness the rich evolution of the string quartet from the 18th to the 19th centuries in this programme, performed by musicians of the SSO.
A great way to introduce classical music to the little ones is to make it engaging and relatable. If you’re hoping to get your kids interested in classical music, take them to Concerts for Children: Sleepover At The Museum on 16 March. Based on the book by composer and author Karen LeFrak, ardent champion of musical and literary education for children, this concert for children is an adventure-filled introduction to classical music.
On 23 March, The Hungarian Connection – Brahms Piano Concerto 1 will feature Budapest-born pianist, Dénes Várjon and his Hungarian compatriot conductor Gábor Káli, as they come together to present Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1, a masterpiece of symphonic proportions, at the Esplanade Concert Hall. The programme will also spotlight Huang Ruo’s Tipping Point and Bartók’s well-known Concerto For Orchestra.*
Taking place on 23 March at the Victoria Concert Hall, VCHpresents Organ: Creation Dance – Richard Brasier will shine the spotlight on the British master organist. Witness his versatility and finesse in this recital of familiar names including Bach, Franck, Mozart and Liszt, as well as titles by contemporary composers like Neil Cox’s coruscating Creation Dance.
On 29 and 30 March, John Williams – Essay and Flute Concerto will mark the Asian premiere of John Williams’ Essay for Strings and Flute Concerto, with the latter performed by SSO Principal Flute and Stephen Riady Chair Jin Ta. Led by German conductor Gabriel Venzago, the blistering energy of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 makes an exciting contrast in the second half of the programme.
April 2024
On 6 April, SSO Gala: Olga Peretyatko – A Night at the Opera will see soprano Olga Peretyatko dazzle and enchant audiences with her voice as she performs some of the most cherished opera arias from the French and Italian repertory with the SSO conducted by maestro Mikhail Agrest.
On 12 and 13 April, Kreisler, Stravinsky and Mozart will showcase the many quaint facets of Europe, from Italian Baroque to French Ballet and Viennese ingenuity. Audiences will also get to hear the rarely performed Violin Concerto by Fritz Kreisler, Stravinsky’s comedic ballet inspired by Italian legend and Mozart’s lively Prague Symphony. Join* Danish violinist-conductor Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider for an evening of brilliant music as he leads the SSO in this light-hearted, charming programme.
On 20 April, the SSO family will come together for Brahms Requiem and Schumann Cello Concerto, led by Music Director Hans Graf. Witness the two composers’ heartfelt music come to life in this soul-searching programme featuring Singapore-based Australian cellist Li-Wei Qin in Schumann’s Cello Concerto and the Singapore Symphony Chorus, Singapore Symphony Youth Choir, Singapore National Youth Orchestra, Swedish soprano Susanna Andersson and Danish baritone Bo Skovhus in Brahms’s Requiem.
On 27 April, Ravel’s Spain promises an evening filled with great music, wry humour and unrivalled entertainment. Ravel’s one-act comédie musicale The Spanish Hour will be semi-staged with Singaporean mezzo-soprano Jade Tan in the leading role, while Danish baritone Bo Skovhus serenades his perfect lady in the enchanting songs of Don Quichotte à Dulcinée. Conducted by Music Director Hans Graf, the performance will also showcase the orchestra in Ravel’s full sonic canvas, from the evocative Rapsodie espagnole to the electrifying, utterly unforgettable Boléro.
May 2024
From Tchaikovsky’s tremendous Fifth Symphony to Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev – Hans Graf and Benjamin Schmid on 2 and 3 May will transport audiences to new heights of musical joy. Led by Music Director Hans Graf, the performance will be headlined by critically acclaimed violinist Benjamin Schmid.
The celebration of Smetana’s 200th birth anniversary continues in VCHpresents Chamber: Smetana and Dvořák on 5 May, showcasing his well-known Piano Trio in G minor, an elegiac work that ultimately finds joyous courage at the end. Smetana’s famous contemporary, Dvořák shares the limelight with his attractive bass-augmented String Quintet No. 2, performed by musicians of the SSO.
On 12 May, surprise the mothers and grandmothers in your life by taking them to the SSO Mother’s Day Concert, led by Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez, which promises a delightful evening at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Fans of the much-lauded Pavel Haas Quartet will have the rare opportunity of watching them live in action as they will be in town for VCHpresents Chamber: The Pavel Haas Quartet on 19 May. Winner of six Gramophone Awards, the quartet, named after the Czech composer Pavel Haas, is famously known for championing the music of their homeland.
VCHpresents Chamber: Poetry of the Harp – Xavier de Maistre on 22 May is sure to have audiences’ breath blown away as the acclaimed French harpist performs in a full solo recital of harp music, including his own transcriptions of famous works by Debussy, Fauré, Falla and more.
Xavier de Maistre will take to the stage again for a concerto with the SSO in Virtuose de la harp – Xavier de Maistre on 25 May, where he will showcase the scintillating beauty and spellbinding modernity of Ginastera’s Harp Concerto. The programme will also feature Respighi’s shimmering tributes to ancient Rome, with the SSO conducted by French maestro Pierre Bleuse.
June 2024
The 2023/2024 season draws to a resounding close with two concerts this month, starting with Emperor Concerto and Symphonie Fantastique on 1 June, featuring French maestro Pierre Bleuse and English pianist Paul Lewis, showcasing masterpieces by Beethoven and Berlioz, as well as a newly commissioned piece by award-winning Singaporean composer Koh Cheng Jin.
To wrap up the season, a special programme has been planned for VCHpresents Organ: The Crow and the Dove on 15 June, featuring Margaret Chen, doyen of the Singapore organ scene, who will be the narrator for this performance. Organist Phoon Yu will also be performing alongside a fusion of ballet and Filipino folk dance in this tale of fidelity adapted by Singapore Symphony Chorus Choral Director Eudenice Palaruan.
The Music of Hans Zimmer
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Gerard Salonga, conductor
Fri / 14 Jul 23 / 7.30pm
Sat / 15 Jul 23 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
Due to road closures for National Day Parade rehearsals, please cater for additional travelling time on Sat, 15 Jul 2023. Ticket holders can visit ndp.gov.sg/about/advisories for more information. Attendees on 14 Jul are not affected.
The Singapore Symphony Orchestra opens its 2023/24 Season with the music of the one-and-only Hans Zimmer, one of the most admired film composers of our time. Inspired by the time-honoured traditions of The Last Samurai, the cosmic journey of Interstellar, or the unsung heroism of the Dark Knight, this epic musical experience conducted by Gerard Salonga is one you won’t want to miss.
This is a live orchestra concert presentation with no film screening.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Gerard Salonga, conductor
ProgrammeDriving Miss Daisy | Hans Zimmer |
|---|---|
Journey to the Line from The Thin Red Line | Hans Zimmer |
Suite from The Last Samurai | Hans Zimmer |
No Time for Caution from Interstellar | Hans Zimmer |
Inception Suite | Hans Zimmer |
Chevaliers de Sangreal from Da Vinci Code | Hans Zimmer |
Zoosters Breakout from Madagascar | Hans Zimmer |
The Dark Knight Rises | Hans Zimmer |
Is She With You? (Wonder Woman’s Theme) from Batman v Superman | Hans Zimmer |
Selections from Man of Steel | Hans Zimmer |
The Lion King Orchestral Suite | Hans Zimmer |
Music from Gladiator | Hans Zimmer |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $20
SSO Lunchtime Concert
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor
Wed / 19 Jul 23 / 12.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
If you’ve ever wanted to experience the sound of a symphony orchestra bringing classical music to life, join us for this free one-hour concert at the beautiful Victoria Concert Hall, conducted by the Singapore Symphony’s Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor
ProgrammePolonaise from Eugene Onegin | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Tchaikovsky) |
|---|---|
Nos. 10, 13 and 14 from Slavonic Dances | Antonín Dvořák (Dvořák) |
Fantasia on Lenggang Kangkong | Yoon Pin Leong (Leong Yoon Pin) |
Danse macabre | Camille Saint-Saëns (Saint-Saëns) |
Dances of Galánta | Kodály |
SSO In Your Community
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor
Fri / 21 Jul 23 / 7.30pm
Centre for Performing Arts 2, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
Residents of south-west Singapore, we’re coming to your neighbourhood to present an evening of easy-listening classical music! Come see your national orchestra, the Singapore Symphony, in action with our Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor
ProgrammePolonaise from Eugene Onegin | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Tchaikovsky) |
|---|---|
Nos. 10, 13 and 14 from Slavonic Dances | Antonín Dvořák (Dvořák) |
Fantasia on Lenggang Kangkong | Yoon Pin Leong (Leong Yoon Pin) |
Danse macabre | Camille Saint-Saëns (Saint-Saëns) |
Dances of Galánta | Kodály |
Temasek Foundation SSO Symphony in the Gardens
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor
Sat / 22 Jul 23 / 6.00pm
Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Nature, fresh air, family, food and friends – with classical music performed live by a full orchestra. There’s nothing quite like it – let the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and our Venezuelan Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez entertain you in this festive evening at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Pets welcome too!
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor
ProgrammePolonaise from Eugene Onegin | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Tchaikovsky) |
|---|---|
Nos. 10, 13 and 14 from Slavonic Dances | Antonín Dvořák (Dvořák) |
Fantasia on Lenggang Kangkong | Yoon Pin Leong (Leong Yoon Pin) |
Danse macabre | Camille Saint-Saëns (Saint-Saëns) |
Dances of Galánta | Kodály |
Chloe Chua and He Ziyu
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Hans Graf, Music Director / Chloe Chua, violin/Artist-In-Residence* / He Ziyu, viola*
Thu / 27 Jul 23 / 7.30pm
Fri / 28 Jul 23 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
Our Mozart Violin Concerto cycle with SSO Artist-In-Residence Chloe Chua is supplemented with this performance of the Sinfonia Concertante, where she is joined by another youthful augur of musical brilliance, He Ziyu. SSO Music Director Hans Graf ramps up the stakes as the Singapore Symphony Orchestra chronicles Richard Strauss’s groundbreaking orchestral spectacle, Ein Heldenleben under his baton. An eye-opening experience from start to finish!
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Hans Graf, Music Director / Chloe Chua, violin/Artist-In-Residence* / He Ziyu, viola*
ProgrammeOverture to The Magic Flute | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Mozart) |
|---|---|
Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra in E-flat major, K. 364* | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Mozart) |
Ein Heldenleben (“A Hero’s Life”) | Richard Strauss (R. Strauss) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
Seika Ishida Plays Chopin
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Hans Graf, Music Director / Seika Ishida, piano*
Fri / 04 Aug 23 / 7.30pm
Sat / 05 Aug 23 / 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
Much praised during her debut with the Singapore Symphony in 2022, Seika Ishida returns to play Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2, a work of refined nostalgia to match the Japanese pianist’s exquisite command of the keyboard. SSO Music Director Hans Graf takes us from this youthful artistry to Schubertian Romantic grandeur – his Great Symphony, an enduring statement of musical nobility.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Hans Graf, Music Director / Seika Ishida, piano*
ProgrammeOberon Overture | Carl Maria von Weber (Weber) |
|---|---|
Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21* | Frédéric Chopin (Chopin) |
Symphony No. 9 in C major, D. 944 “The Great” | Franz Schubert (Schubert) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
Temasek Foundation SSO National Day Concert 2023
Ng Tianhui, conductor / Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Singapore Symphony Chorus / Singapore Symphony Youth Choir / Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir / Eudenice Palaruan, Choral Director / Wong Lai Foon, Choirmaster / Members of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra / Lily Goh, Deaf Artist-Performer / Adora Sarah, Host
Sun / 13 Aug 23 / 4.00pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
Now in its sixth year, the SSO National Day Concert is the Singapore Symphony’s well-established annual showcase of Singaporean capability in every aspect of music. Join us to witness the world premieres of new music by Singaporean composers commissioned by the SSO, and hear us revive musical treasures from the repertory of Singapore’s pioneer composers.
The concert will be streamed live on the Singapore Symphony YouTube Channel.
Special fundraising seats have been set aside to support Shared Services for Charities (SSC) and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. These seats are available for a donation of $500. 50% of the funds raised will support SSC programmes to help charities improve their governance. The remaining 50% will support the national orchestra in enriching our diverse communities via music. Donations will qualify for a 2.5 times tax deduction for Singapore tax residents.
To adopt these seats, please visit the giving.sg campaign page or email contact@sscharities.com. Donors can opt to attend the concert or donate the tickets to a children's charity. For more information on the SSC, please visit www.sscharities.com.
FeaturingNg Tianhui, conductor / Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Singapore Symphony Chorus / Singapore Symphony Youth Choir / Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir / Eudenice Palaruan, Choral Director / Wong Lai Foon, Choirmaster / Members of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra / Lily Goh, Deaf Artist-Performer / Adora Sarah, Host
ProgrammeMass Rapid City | Sulwyn Lok |
|---|---|
Day In The Lion City | Kelly Tang |
Pasat Merdu | Felix Phang |
Where That River Always Flows | Jon Lin Chua (Chua Jon Lin) |
Singaporean Folk Medley | Zechariah Goh |
The Road Ahead | Evan Low |
$48, $38, $28, $15
Three Continents Cello Concerto
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Yue Bao, conductor / Jan Vogler, cello*
Sat / 19 Aug 23 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
Barber’s breakthrough work, the brilliantly scored overture to The School for Scandal and Rachmaninoff’s thrilling Symphonic Dances frame the Asian premiere of the Drei Kontinente Cello Concerto. This collaboration by acclaimed contemporary composers Nico Muhly (USA), Sven Helbig (Germany) and Zhou Long (China), co-commissioned by the SSO, will be championed by its dedicatee, the renowned cellist Jan Vogler, whom Gramophone magazine called the “unifying force [whose] musical personality defines the piece.”
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Yue Bao, conductor / Jan Vogler, cello*
ProgrammeOverture to The School for Scandal | Samuel Barber (Barber) |
|---|---|
Three Continents Cello Concerto* | Nico Muhly (Muhly) |
Symphonic Dances | Sergei Rachmaninoff (Rachmaninoff) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
Acoustic Shock – An Organ and Electronic Music Spectacular
Anne Maria Lim, organ / Benjamin Ang, electronic music producer
Sun / 20 Aug 23 / 4.00pm
Victoria Concert Hall
The organ and electronics share a rich history that has galvanised generations of music-makers. Prepared to be jolted from your seat as young Singaporean organist talent Anne Maria Lim is joined by electronic music master Benjamin Ang of Cosmic Armchair and NUS Electronic Music Lab fame. Witness for yourself what the power of electronic music and the pipe organ can do to charge up the concert hall!
FeaturingAnne Maria Lim, organ / Benjamin Ang, electronic music producer
ProgrammeFanfares to the Tongues of Fire | Larry King |
|---|---|
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring | Johann Sebastian Bach (J.S. Bach) |
We are Singapore | Hugh Harrison |
Home | Dick Lee |
Count on Me, Singapore | Hugh Harrison |
Clair de Lune | Louis Vierne |
Medley of Oxygene (Part IV)/Musique Non Stop | Jean-Michel Jarre |
$5
Bliss – Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Mario Venzago, conductor / Julian Bliss, clarinet*
Fri / 25 Aug 23 / 7.30pm
Sat / 26 Aug 23 / 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
The Singapore Symphony presents music from three of the finest composers at the turn of the 18th century: the lively theatrics of Rossini’s Semiramide Overture prove why it is a concert hall staple, while the percussion brings a martial swagger to Haydn’s 100th Symphony. The versatile British clarinetist Julian Bliss lifts you to aural heaven with Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto – one of the first and still the finest in its genre.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Mario Venzago, conductor / Julian Bliss, clarinet*
ProgrammeSemiramide Overture | Gioachino Rossini (Rossini) |
|---|---|
Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622* | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Mozart) |
Symphony No. 100 in G major “Military” | Joseph Haydn (Haydn) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
Chloe Chua Plays Paganini
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Singapore Symphony Chorus / Singapore Symphony Youth Choir / Mario Venzago, conductor / Eudenice Palaruan, Choral Director / Wong Lai Foon, Choirmaster / Chloe Chua, violin/Artist-In-Residence*
Sat / 02 Sep 23 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
Paganini is a name associated with impossible feats on the violin, and what better way to show they are possible than in the hands of the very best such as Singapore’s brightest violin star, Chloe Chua? Esteemed Swiss maestro Mario Venzago leads this myriad display of instrumental and choral skill, the latter with the Singapore Symphony Chorus and Youth Choir as the magical sirènes in Debussy’s Nocturnes and explorers in Vaughan Williams’s paean vocalising Walt Whitman’s transcendent poetry.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Singapore Symphony Chorus / Singapore Symphony Youth Choir / Mario Venzago, conductor / Eudenice Palaruan, Choral Director / Wong Lai Foon, Choirmaster / Chloe Chua, violin/Artist-In-Residence*
ProgrammeOverture to Il viaggio a Reims | Gioachino Rossini (Rossini) |
|---|---|
Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 6* | Niccolò Paganini (Paganini) |
Nocturnes | Claude Debussy (Debussy) |
Toward the Unknown Region | Ralph Vaughan Williams (Vaughan Williams) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
Little Red Riding Hood
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor / Dandi Productions
Sat / 09 Sep 23 / 11.00am
Sat / 09 Sep 23 / 2.00pm
Sun / 10 Sep 23 / 11.00am
Sun / 10 Sep 23 / 2.00pm
Victoria Concert Hall
This September school holidays, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra presents the classic fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood – except this time, Roald Dahl’s feisty Little Red is no pushover! Watch as the SSO and actors of Dandi Productions use clever lighting, music, bold costumes and lively theatre to show you how Little Red thwarts the Big Bad Wolf to save the day.
Features actors in costume performing with the orchestra. Recommended for ages 4 and above. No admission for infants-in-arms. No admission without a ticket.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor / Dandi Productions
ProgrammeEntry of the Gladiators | Julius Fučík (Fučík) |
|---|---|
Roald Dahl's Little Red Riding Hood | Paul Patterson |
Toreador Song from Carmen | Georges Bizet (Bizet) |
$35, $25
琴云秋乐
Yao Xiao Yun, piano / Li Xin, clarinet / Ye Lin, violin / Gu Bing Jie, viola / Guo Hao, cello / Yang Zheng Yi, double bass / Kaitlyn Kim, soprano / Zhang Heyang, presenter
Tue / 12 Sep 23 / 7.30pm
Wed / 13 Sep 23 / 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall Dance Studio
Due to road closures for F1, please cater for additional travelling time on Wed, 13 Sep 2023. Ticket holders can visit go.gov.sg/f1 for more information. Attendees on 12 Sep are not affected.
上海出生的新加坡籍钢琴家姚晓云将是本期“乐享时光”的主持人。在轻松惬意的艺术氛围中，她将与新加坡交响乐团的音乐家们同台，交流分享钢琴在室内乐艺术中所中扮演的角色。
Together with Musicians of the SSO, Shanghai-born Singaporean pianist Yao Xiao Yun is your host in this instalment of the Intimate Moments series, a classical music chamber recital and chat combined in a cosy setting. Hear her thoughts on the anchor role of the piano in the myriad instrumental combinations in chamber music, a genre best enjoyed among friends.
This programme features conversations in Mandarin only.
FeaturingYao Xiao Yun, piano / Li Xin, clarinet / Ye Lin, violin / Gu Bing Jie, viola / Guo Hao, cello / Yang Zheng Yi, double bass / Kaitlyn Kim, soprano / Zhang Heyang, presenter
ProgrammeNocturne in D-flat major, Op. 27, No. 2 | Frédéric Chopin (Chopin) |
|---|---|
Pamina's Aria from The Magic Flute | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Mozart) |
Andante and Rondeaux from Kegelstatt Trio | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Mozart) |
Andante cantabile from Piano Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 47 | Robert Schumann (Schumann) |
Allegro giusto from Trout Quintet | Franz Schubert (Schubert) |
$20
President’s Young Performers Concert
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor / Hao Jia, piano*
Sat / 23 Sep 23 / 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
Scintillating with Romantic grandeur, Rachmaninoff’s popular Third Piano Concerto makes a sweeping display of pianistic virtuosity. First Prize (Senior Piano) winner of the National Piano and Violin Competition 2019 and Steinway Youth Piano Competition 2016, 22-year-old Hao Jia is the Singapore Symphony’s 2023 President’s Young Performer who takes the stage again with this imposing masterpiece. Mendelssohn’s popular Scottish Symphony makes up the second half of this concert directed by SSO Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor / Hao Jia, piano*
ProgrammePiano Concerto No. 3 in D minor. Op. 30* | Sergei Rachmaninoff (Rachmaninoff) |
|---|---|
Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56 “Scottish” | Felix Mendelssohn (Mendelssohn) |
$48, $38, $28, $15
Mischa Maisky and Han-Na Chang
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Han-Na Chang, conductor / Mischa Maisky, cello*
Fri / 29 Sep 23 / 7.30pm
Sat / 30 Sep 23 / 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
We begin with two pieces from the 1870s: Wagner’s serene Siegfried Idyll, a tender birthday gift to his wife, followed by one of the most admired cello concertos of all time – Saint-Saëns’s uplifting Cello Concerto No. 1. A marvellous showcase for one of the most celebrated cellists today, Mischa Maisky. Accompanying him with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra is charismatic South Korean conductor Han-Na Chang, who also directs Mozart’s splendid Jupiter Symphony.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Han-Na Chang, conductor / Mischa Maisky, cello*
ProgrammeSiegfried Idyll | Richard Wagner (Wagner) |
|---|---|
Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33* | Camille Saint-Saëns (Saint-Saëns) |
Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551 “Jupiter” | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Mozart) |
$108, $88, $68, $48, $38, $25
Unboxing the Organ with Dr Phoon Yu and the Lorong Boys
Phoon Yu, organ / Lorong Boys
Sun / 01 Oct 23 / 4.00pm
Victoria Concert Hall
Term has started and class is now in session! Sit down at your desks and be treated to a lecture by organist Phoon Yu and acclaimed Singaporean band Lorong Boys as they teach you all about the true meaning of music history, Singaporean style. From Bach to the Beatles, Strauss to friendly swans (!!), and even buying an organ off Taobao, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Just remember to take notes for your mugging session later.
FeaturingPhoon Yu, organ / Lorong Boys
ProgrammeJesu, Joy of Man's Desiring | Johann Sebastian Bach (J.S. Bach) |
|---|---|
"Puer Natus in Bethlehem" | Anonymous |
Thus Rocked Zarathustra | Richard Strauss (R. Strauss) |
Clair de Lune | Claude Debussy (Debussy) |
The Other Swan | Camille Saint-Saëns (Saint-Saëns) |
Eleanor Rigby | The Beatles |
While My Guitar Gently Weeps | The Beatles |
Shape of Paganini | Niccolò Paganini (Paganini) |
Montagues and Capulets from Romeo and Juliet | Sergei Prokofiev (Prokofiev) |
Passacaglia from Harpsichord Suite No. 7 in G minor, HWV 432/6 | Georg Frideric Handel (Handel) |
$5
Heroic Tales of Richard Strauss
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Hans Graf, Music Director / Ng Pei-Sian, cello* / Manchin Zhang, viola*
Thu / 05 Oct 23 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
The full power of the modern orchestra was unleashed when German composer Richard Strauss revealed a range of instrumental colours and heroic bravura that the concert hall had never experienced before. Witness it for yourself as the Singapore Symphony Orchestra brings to life the merry misadventures of the prankster Till Eulenspiegel and the fantastic escapades of the would-be knight, Don Quixote, featuring SSO Principal Cello Ng Pei-Sian and Principal Viola Manchin Zhang.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Hans Graf, Music Director / Ng Pei-Sian, cello* / Manchin Zhang, viola*
ProgrammeSerenade in E-flat major, Op. 7 | Richard Strauss (R. Strauss) |
|---|---|
Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks, Op. 28 | Richard Strauss (R. Strauss) |
Don Quixote, Op. 35* | Richard Strauss (R. Strauss) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
SSO Babies’ Proms
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Leonard Tan, conductor / William Ledbetter, presenter
Sat / 07 Oct 23 / 4.00pm
Sun / 08 Oct 23 / 11.00am
Sun / 08 Oct 23 / 2.00pm
Victoria Concert Hall
The SSO's popular Babies’ Proms returns with its well-established and familiar programme that has entertained generations of kids every year. Discover the fun and fantastic world of the orchestra and its different instruments in this free-and-easy musical day out for parents and kids. Be ready to get up from your seats and move along to the music with your lively Babies’ Proms host, Uncle Bill!
The SSO Babies' Proms programme is identical from year to year.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Leonard Tan, conductor / William Ledbetter, presenter
ProgrammeLes Toréadors, Introduction to Act I of Carmen | Georges Bizet (Bizet) |
|---|---|
Waltz of the Flowers | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Tchaikovsky) |
In the Hall of the Mountain King | Edvard Grieg (Grieg) |
Castle in the Sky from Laputa | Joe Hisaishi (Hisaishi) |
Cheerful Cha Cha | Jill Townsend |
Theme from Jaws | John Williams |
Star Wars Imperial March | John Williams |
Liberty Bell March | John Philip Sousa (Sousa) |
William Tell Overture | Gioachino Rossini (Rossini) |
Can-Can | Offenbach |
Hungarian Dance No. 5 | Johannes Brahms (Brahms) |
Entry of the Gladiators | Julius Fučík (Fučík) |
$40, $32
Dvořák and Tchaikovsky – Hans Graf and Leonidas Kavakos
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Hans Graf, Music Director / Leonidas Kavakos, violin*
Fri / 13 Oct 23 / 7.30pm
Sat / 14 Oct 23 / 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
Tchaikovsky’s glorious Violin Concerto headlines this SSO Gala concert with famed Greek violin virtuoso Leonidas Kavakos as soloist. Dvořák’s endless gift for melody is a perfect match to this immensely popular work, as the programme turns to the lyric warmth and Bohemian sunshine of his Sixth Symphony, and four scenes from his picturesque Legends.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Hans Graf, Music Director / Leonidas Kavakos, violin*
ProgrammeFour Legends from Op. 59 | Antonín Dvořák (Dvořák) |
|---|---|
Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35* | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Tchaikovsky) |
Symphony No. 6 in D major, Op. 60 | Antonín Dvořák (Dvořák) |
$108, $88, $68, $48, $38, $25
Leonidas Kavakos in Recital
Leonidas Kavakos, violin / Enrico Pace, piano
Sun / 15 Oct 23 / 4.00pm
Victoria Concert Hall
4 Jul Update: Please note the change in programme at the artist’s request.
There's nothing quite like the impressionist poetry and perfumed beauty of French music. This absolutely unmissable violin recital featuring Leonidas Kavakos, one of the greatest violinists of our time, will transport you into the bewildering and soulful soundscape of masterpieces by Ravel, Debussy, Poulenc and Franck.
FeaturingLeonidas Kavakos, violin / Enrico Pace, piano
ProgrammeSonata for Violin and Piano | Poulenc Francis (Poulenc) |
|---|---|
Violin Sonata No. 1 "Sonata posthume" | Maurice Ravel (Ravel) |
Sonata in G minor for Violin and Piano | Claude Debussy (Debussy) |
Sonata in A major for Violin and Piano | César Franck (Franck) |
$70, $50, $40, $30, $20
Bennett Violin Concerto and Tchaikovsky 4
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Andrew Litton, conductor / Chloë Hanslip, violin*
Fri / 20 Oct 23 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
Robert Russell Bennett (1894–1981) is the American composer and arranger best known for inventing the Broadway sound, credited for orchestrating the musicals of such famous composers as Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Richard Rodgers. His violin concerto, a rarely heard work from 1941, shows its roots in film and stage with expressive drama. Join British violinist Chloë Hanslip and American maestro Andrew Litton as they present this underrated gem, with Tchaikovsky’s tumultuous symphonic masterpiece, the Fourth Symphony in the second half.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Andrew Litton, conductor / Chloë Hanslip, violin*
ProgrammeViolin Concerto in A major* | Robert Russell Bennett |
|---|---|
Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36 | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Tchaikovsky) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
Duke Violin Concerto and Tchaikovsky 6
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Andrew Litton, conductor / Chloë Hanslip, violin*
Fri / 27 Oct 23 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
If there’s a hint of Prokofiev, Barber and Korngold in the Violin Concerto by Vernon Duke (1903–1969), it may come as no surprise to learn that its composer was born Vladimir Dukelsky in Russia and subsequently Americanised. Famous contemporaries who praised his work include Diaghilev, Prokofiev, Gershwin, Koussevitzky and Balanchine – for good reason, which you will hear in his instantly compelling Violin Concerto. Tchaikovsky’s epic Pathétique Symphony completes this exciting programme of rare gem and concert hall favourite.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Andrew Litton, conductor / Chloë Hanslip, violin*
ProgrammeViolin Concerto* | Vernon Duke |
|---|---|
Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 “Pathétique” | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Tchaikovsky) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
A Haunted Halloween Hymn
Singapore Symphony Chorus / Eudenice Palaruan, Choral Director / Loraine Muthiah, organ
Sat / 28 Oct 23 / 7.30pm
Sun / 29 Oct 23 / 4.00pm
Victoria Concert Hall
A choir keening, an organ wailing, a Halloween’s coming – the voices of the Singapore Symphony Chorus are filling the Victoria Concert Hall with the songs of Dan Forrest, Wojciech Kilar, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more this Halloween. Join them and our returning Halloween host, organist Loraine Muthiah, as they raise the spirits of music from beneath the scores.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Chorus / Eudenice Palaruan, Choral Director / Loraine Muthiah, organ
ProgrammePraeludium and Fugue in C minor, BWV 549 | Johann Sebastian Bach (J.S. Bach) |
|---|---|
Libera Me from Requiem, Op.9* | Maurice Duruflé (Duruflé) |
Komm süßer Tod* | Johann Sebastian Bach (J.S. Bach) |
Dies Irae from Requiem, K. 626* | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Mozart) |
Vanitas Vanitatum from Requiem for the Living* | Dan Forrest |
De profundis (Psalm 129) in F minor* | Salieri |
Psalm 130: Aus der Tiefe reufe ich, Herr, zu Dir* | Heinrich Kaminski |
Force et agilite des Corps Glorieux from Les Corps Glorieux | Olivier Messiaen (Messiaen) |
Esquisses Gothiques No. 1 | Jean Langlais (Langlais) |
$10
Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos Part I
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Andrew Arthur, keyboard/conductor
Thu / 02 Nov 23 / 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
Intricate and bursting with energy and life, Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos are some of the finest music ever written. Andrew Arthur, Associate Director and harpsichordist of the UK’s renowned period ensemble, The Hanover Band, leads the Singapore Symphony Orchestra in these pinnacles of Baroque music, including that of Bach’s contemporary, Vivaldi, whose music he studied and transcribed with reverence.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Andrew Arthur, keyboard/conductor
ProgrammeBrandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F major, BWV 1046 | Johann Sebastian Bach (J.S. Bach) |
|---|---|
Concerto for Two Violins & Cello in D minor, Op. 3, No. 11 | Antonio Vivaldi (Vivaldi) |
Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major, BWV 1047 | Johann Sebastian Bach (J.S. Bach) |
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major, BWV 1048 | Johann Sebastian Bach (J.S. Bach) |
$45, $30, $20
Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos Part II
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Andrew Arthur, keyboard/conductor
Fri / 03 Nov 23 / 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
Intricate and bursting with energy and life, Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos are some of the finest music ever written. Andrew Arthur, Associate Director and harpsichordist of the UK’s renowned period ensemble, The Hanover Band, leads the Singapore Symphony Orchestra in these pinnacles of Baroque music, including the rarer but no less attractive BWV 1056, whose sublime Largo is a slice of heaven on earth.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Andrew Arthur, keyboard/conductor
ProgrammeBrandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major, BWV 1050 | Johann Sebastian Bach (J.S. Bach) |
|---|---|
Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B-flat major, BWV 1051 | Johann Sebastian Bach (J.S. Bach) |
Concerto for Harpsichord & Strings in F minor, BWV 1056 | Johann Sebastian Bach (J.S. Bach) |
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G major, BWV 1049 | Johann Sebastian Bach (J.S. Bach) |
$45, $30, $20
Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor / Chloe Chua, violin/Artist-In-Residence*
Fri / 10 Nov 23 / 7.30pm
Sat / 11 Nov 23 / 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
The exquisite Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto is one of the most popular works of its kind from the 20th century, inspired by the eponymous Chinese legend. Singapore Symphony Artist-In-Residence Chloe Chua will transport you to scenic China with its rapturous music, sweeping you up in the tale of the star-crossed lovers, Liang Shanbo (梁山伯) and Zhu Yingtai (祝英台). Conducted by SSO Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez, the concert begins with the soulful warmth of Sunshine Over Tashkurgan (also featuring Chloe Chua) and ends with the sunlit exaltation of Beethoven’s spirited Eighth Symphony.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor / Chloe Chua, violin/Artist-In-Residence*
ProgrammeSunshine Over Tashkurgan* | Gang Chen (Chen Gang) |
|---|---|
梁祝小提琴协奏曲 Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto* | Zhan Hao He (He Zhan Hao) |
Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93 | Ludwig van Beethoven (Beethoven) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
Temasek Foundation SSO Concerts for Children: Carnival of the Animals
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Leonard Tan, conductor / L’Arsenal à Musique
Fri / 17 Nov 23 / 4.00pm
Sat / 18 Nov 23 / 11.00am
Sat / 18 Nov 23 / 2.00pm
Victoria Concert Hall
A royal lion, swift donkeys, dignified tortoises, lumbering elephants, graceful swan, hopping kangaroos, an ethereal aquarium, with a special appearance by tinkling skeletons and pianists – the delightfully vivid Carnival of the Animals has entertained generations of music-lovers young and old. Hailing from Canada, L’Arsenal à Musique will lend its theatrical talents to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra in this fun-filled concert for children.
Features actors and circus theatre (animal puppetry and costumes) in performance with the orchestra. Recommended for ages 4 and above. No admission for infants-in-arms. No admission without a ticket.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Leonard Tan, conductor / L’Arsenal à Musique
Price$35, $25
Chopin and Beethoven – Bruce Liu and Jukka-Pekka Saraste
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Jukka-Pekka Saraste, conductor / Bruce Liu, piano*
Thu / 23 Nov 23 / 7.30pm
Fri / 24 Nov 23 / 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
Winner of the 18th Chopin Piano Competition in 2021, Canadian pianist Bruce Liu has been praised for his effortless virtuosity, charisma and insouciance – perfect for the elegiac poetry of Chopin’s music. Prominent Finnish maestro Jukka-Pekka Saraste leads the Singapore Symphony Orchestra in Schoenberg’s eye-opening Chamber Symphony No. 2 and Beethoven’s First Symphony, heir to Mozart’s symphonic crown.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Jukka-Pekka Saraste, conductor / Bruce Liu, piano*
ProgrammeChamber Symphony No. 2, Op. 38 | Arnold Schoenberg (Schoenberg) |
|---|---|
Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11* | Frédéric Chopin (Chopin) |
Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21 | Ludwig van Beethoven (Beethoven) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
Rudolf Buchbinder – Beethoven Piano Concertos 2 & 3
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Rudolf Buchbinder, piano/conductor*
Fri / 08 Dec 23 / 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
With a distinguished career spanning over 60 years, Austrian pianist Rudolf Buchbinder is a legend of our time. Fuelled by his lifelong dedication to Beethoven, he is a unique font of wisdom on the great composer’s music. In his hands, Beethoven’s youthful Piano Concerto No. 2 positively sings, and paired with the dauntless drive of No. 3, this is a vigorous first instalment in the maestro’s two-concert extravaganza.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Rudolf Buchbinder, piano/conductor*
ProgrammePiano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 19* | Ludwig van Beethoven (Beethoven) |
|---|---|
Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37* | Ludwig van Beethoven (Beethoven) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
Rudolf Buchbinder – Beethoven Piano Concertos 1 & 4
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Rudolf Buchbinder, piano/conductor*
Sat / 09 Dec 23 / 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
Tradition and innovation, faithfulness and freedom, authenticity and open-mindedness merge in Rudolf Buchbinder’s readings of great piano literature. The elegance and wit of Beethoven’s First Piano Concerto versus the noble sensibilities of No. 4 define the journey of refinement perfected by Buchbinder’s mastery of the piano.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Rudolf Buchbinder, piano/conductor*
ProgrammePiano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15* | Ludwig van Beethoven (Beethoven) |
|---|---|
Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58* | Ludwig van Beethoven (Beethoven) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
Moonlight, Pathétique and Appassionata
Rudolf Buchbinder, piano
Sun / 10 Dec 23 / 4.00pm
Victoria Concert Hall
The most celebrated piano sonatas by Beethoven – the pensive Moonlight, the all-encompassing Pathétique and the stormy Appassionata, even the exquisite Tenth Sonata – every fibre of Beethoven’s soul expressed by one of the greatest exponents of Beethoven today, Austrian veteran pianist Rudolf Buchbiner.
FeaturingRudolf Buchbinder, piano
ProgrammePiano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 “Pathétique” | Ludwig van Beethoven (Beethoven) |
|---|---|
Piano Sonata No. 14, Op. 27 No. 2 “Moonlight” | Ludwig van Beethoven (Beethoven) |
Piano Sonata No. 10 in G major, Op. 14 No. 2 | Ludwig van Beethoven (Beethoven) |
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 “Appassionata” | Ludwig van Beethoven (Beethoven) |
$60, $50, $40, $30, $20
SSO Christmas Fundraising Concert 2023
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Singapore Symphony Chorus / Singapore Symphony Youth Choir / Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor / Eudenice Palaruan, Choral Director / Wong Lai Foon, Choirmaster
Thu / 14 Dec 23 / 7.30pm
Fri / 15 Dec 23 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
Merry Christmas! It’s that time of the year again when the Singapore Symphony family dresses the stage with musical joy and blessed harmonies for the yuletide season. Join us in our annual celebration, a perfect way to add cheer to your year-end festivities!
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Singapore Symphony Chorus / Singapore Symphony Youth Choir / Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor / Eudenice Palaruan, Choral Director / Wong Lai Foon, Choirmaster
ProgrammeA Christmas Carol Symphony | Patric Stanford |
|---|---|
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year* | Eddie Pola |
Prelude from Hansel & Gretel | Engelbert Humperdinck (Humperdinck) |
Shepherd's Pipe Carol* | John Rutter |
Waltz of the Snowflakes from The Nutcracker* | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Tchaikovsky) |
I Saw Three Ships* | Mack Wilberg |
Christmas on Broadway* | |
Wassail Dances | Phillip Lane |
Calypso Carol* | Michael Perry |
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas* | Martin Hugh |
A Christmas Carnival | Richard Bissil |
Christmas Singalong* | John Finnegan |
$498, $188, $128, $98, $78, $58
Chloe and Isaac Go Baroque
Chloe Chua, violin/Artist-In-Residence / Isaac Lee, organ
Fri / 05 Jan 24 / 7.30pm
Sat / 06 Jan 24 / 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
A treasure trove of rare Baroque gems is unveiled by two of Singapore’s finest young musicians. Chloe Chua, Artist-In-Residence of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra joins organist Isaac Lee in this multi-faceted recital of music for violin and organ. Expect virtuoso displays of both technical finesse and soulful emotion.
FeaturingChloe Chua, violin/Artist-In-Residence / Isaac Lee, organ
ProgrammeLargo (arr. violin & organ) | Francesco Maria Veracini |
|---|---|
Chaconne in G minor | Tomaso Antonio Vitali |
Variations on a Theme by Corelli (arr. violin & organ) | Giuseppe Tartini (Tartini) |
Devil’s Trill Sonata | Giuseppe Tartini (Tartini) |
Concerto No. 1 in D major, Op. 3 No. 1 (arr. violin & organ) | Pietro Locatelli (Locatelli) |
Paganiniana | Nathan Milstein |
$30, $20
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto 2 and Symphony 2
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Hans Graf, Music Director / Garrick Ohlsson, piano*
Fri / 12 Jan 24 / 7.30pm
Sat / 13 Jan 24 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
“Do what the composer did, not what he wrote,” so said veteran American pianist Garrick Ohlsson of Rachmaninoff. The famous fate-laden opening of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 here is only the beginning of the sweeping Romanticism and dazzling flair of two back-to-back Rachmaninoff programmes led by Singapore Symphony Music Director Hans Graf. Be prepared for a tear-inducing journey of heartfelt emotion – this is the music that brought Rachmaninoff out of despair and into immortal fame.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Hans Graf, Music Director / Garrick Ohlsson, piano*
ProgrammePiano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18* | Sergei Rachmaninoff (Rachmaninoff) |
|---|---|
Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27 | Sergei Rachmaninoff (Rachmaninoff) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto 3 and Symphony 3
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Hans Graf, Music Director / Jae-Hyuck Cho, piano*
Thu / 18 Jan 24 / 7.30pm
Fri / 19 Jan 24 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
A towering masterpiece resplendent with intense, soaring passion, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 is the music of a soul bared to its heart. “Nothing in life worth anything comes easy”, so says Korean pianist Jae-Hyuck Cho, whose recordings of the Rachmaninoff Concertos with Hans Graf has been described as a “marriage of fire and lyricism [that] is perfectly judged; Graf is ever the perfect musical partner”. Witness this for yourself, then bask in the wondrous colours of Rachmaninoff’s beautiful Third Symphony.
This concert is dedicated to the late Dr Goh Keng Swee, founding patron of the SSO.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Hans Graf, Music Director / Jae-Hyuck Cho, piano*
ProgrammePiano Concerto No. 3 in D minor. Op. 30* | Sergei Rachmaninoff (Rachmaninoff) |
|---|---|
Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 44 | Sergei Rachmaninoff (Rachmaninoff) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial – Film with Live Orchestra
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Joshua Tan, conductor
Fri / 26 Jan 24 / 7.30pm
Sat / 27 Jan 24 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
A gentle alien is stranded on Earth and discovered by a 10-year-old boy from a broken family. A beloved movie classic from 1982, E.T. is a moving tale of friendship, courage and gratitude that has captivated viewers of all ages. Watch the movie with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra to see how young Elliot helps E.T. “phone home”, and be uplifted by the incomparable music of John Williams, played live in the Esplanade Concert Hall.
This is a live orchestra concert presentation with film screening.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Joshua Tan, conductor
Price$108, $88, $68, $48, $38, $20 (restricted view)
Figaro in a Pocket
Xiaoming Wang, violin/concertmaster / Musicians of the SSO
Sat / 03 Feb 24 / 7.30pm
Sun / 04 Feb 24 / 4.00pm
Victoria Concert Hall
Mozart’s celebrated comic opera, The Marriage of Figaro, capers onto stage this February in miniature fashion! Led by guest violinist Wang Xiaoming, First Concertmaster of Zurich Opera House, join our compact troupe of musicians and singers as we present this pocket version of one of the most popular operatic masterpieces on stage.
FeaturingXiaoming Wang, violin/concertmaster / Musicians of the SSO
ProgrammeThe Marriage of Figaro | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Mozart) |
|---|
$30, $20
Sunday Afternoon Fancies
Singapore Symphony Youth Choir / Wong Lai Foon, Choirmaster / Musicians of the SSO
Sun / 25 Feb 24 / 4.00pm
Victoria Concert Hall
Sprinkle a dash of musical bliss on your Sunday afternoon with this attractive programme of English choral and string delights. From the divine harmonies of Tavener to Shakespearean songs with a touch of jazz, the heartfelt nostalgia of Vaughan Williams to the whimsical gems of Rutter – these Sunday Afternoon Fancies will make your spirit sing all day with joy.
Special fundraising seats^ are available for various donation amounts. To adopt these special fundraising seats, please email directordevelopment@sso.org.sg and we will connect you with the Foundation of Rotary Clubs (Singapore) Ltd, our fundraising partner for this concert. ^Proceeds will be recognised as donations, and Singapore tax residents will qualify for a 2.5 times tax deduction on the fundraiser. Donations and tax receipts will be processed and issued by Foundation of Rotary Clubs (Singapore) Ltd.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Youth Choir / Wong Lai Foon, Choirmaster / Musicians of the SSO
ProgrammeMy Spirit Sang All Day | Gerald Finzi (Finzi) |
|---|---|
The Lamb | John Tavener |
Serenade for Strings | Edward Elgar (Elgar) |
Selections from Songs and Sonnets from Shakespeare | George Shearing |
Fantasia on Greensleeves | Ralph Vaughan Williams (Vaughan Williams) |
Selections from Fancies | John Rutter |
$20
Lan Shui and Bomsori
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Lan Shui, Conductor Laureate / Bomsori Kim, violin*
Fri / 01 Mar 24 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
Lan Shui, Conductor Laureate of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, returns to conduct the SSO! Mahler’s monumental symphonies have been a signature of his programming as SSO Music Director from 1997 to 2019 – look forward to this rendition of the First under his baton. Korean superstar violinist Bomsori Kim shines in the first half with the panoramic splendour of Nielsen’s Violin Concerto.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Lan Shui, Conductor Laureate / Bomsori Kim, violin*
ProgrammeViolin Concerto, Op. 33* | Carl Nielsen (Nielsen) |
|---|---|
Symphony No. 1 in D major “Titan” | Gustav Mahler (Mahler) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
SSO Lunchtime Concert 2024
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor
Wed / 06 Mar 24 / 12.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
If you’ve ever wanted to experience the sound of a symphony orchestra bringing classical music to life, join us for this free one-hour concert at the beautiful Victoria Concert Hall, conducted by the Singapore Symphony’s Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor
SSO In Your Community 2024
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor
Fri / 08 Mar 24 / 7.30pm
To be announced
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor
Temasek Foundation SSO Music in the Meadow
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor
Sat / 09 Mar 24 / 6.30pm
The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor
Smetana, Mozart and Barber
Musicians of the SSO
Thu / 14 Mar 24 / 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
The genius of Mozart and Barber come together to celebrate the 200th birth anniversary of Smetana, father of Czech music. Witness the rich evolution of the string quartet from the 18th to the 19th centuries in this programme performed by musicians of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
FeaturingMusicians of the SSO
ProgrammeString Quartet No. 9 in A major, K. 169 | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Mozart) |
|---|---|
String Quartet in B minor, Op. 11 | Samuel Barber (Barber) |
String Quartet No. 2 in D minor | Bedřich Smetana (Smetana) |
$20
Sleepover at the Museum
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor / Tan Rui Shan, narrator
Sat / 16 Mar 24 / 11.00am
Sat / 16 Mar 24 / 2.00pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
Imagine spending your birthday at a museum! Follow Mason and his friends with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra on a musical and scientific scavenger hunt through the exhibits. Based on the book by composer and author Karen LeFrak, ardent champion of musical and literary education for children, this concert for children is perfect for museum lovers and adventure-seekers, and as an introduction to classical music.
Features orchestra with narrator and projected images.
Suitable for ages 7 and above. No admission for infants-in-arms. No admission without a ticket.
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor / Tan Rui Shan, narrator
Price$35, $25
The Hungarian Connection – Brahms Piano Concerto 1
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Gábor Káli, conductor / Dénes Várjon, piano*
Sat / 23 Mar 24 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
The genesis of Brahms’s First Piano Concerto, a rhapsodic treasure of the Romantic piano concerto repertory, involved the correspondence and support of none other than legendary Hungarian violinist-conductor Joseph Joachim. Fast-forward 165 years since the premiere, the Budapest-born pianist, Dénes Várjon, joins his Hungarian compatriot Gábor Káli to present this masterpiece of symphonic proportions. Bartók’s well-known Concerto For Orchestra, named for its virtuosic writing for every instrument of the orchestra, makes a terrific showcase of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Gábor Káli, conductor / Dénes Várjon, piano*
ProgrammeTipping Point | Ruo Huang (Huang Ruo) |
|---|---|
Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15* | Johannes Brahms (Brahms) |
Concerto For Orchestra | Béla Bartók (Bartók) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
Creation Dance – Richard Brasier
Richard Brasier, organ
Sat / 23 Mar 24 / 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
Soloist, teacher, recording artist and musicologist - UK organist Richard Brasier has mastered the instrument in every capacity. Watch his versatility and finesse in this recital of familiar names - Bach, Franck, Mozart and Liszt – as well as titles by contemporary composers including Neil Cox's coruscating Creation Dance.
With support from the Singapore Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Masterclass with Richard Brasier: Sun, 24 Mar 2024, 3pm at Victoria Concert Hall. To register, please visit https://singaporeago.org.
Click here to find out more Victoria Concert Hall's Klais Organ.
FeaturingRichard Brasier, organ
ProgrammeCreation Dance | Neil Cox |
|---|---|
Adagio in B minor, K. 540 | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Mozart) |
Prelude and Fugue in D major, BWV 532 | Johann Sebastian Bach (J.S. Bach) |
Scherzo in G minor, Op. 49, No. 2 | Enrico Bossi |
Ave Maria d’Arcadelt | Franz Liszt (Liszt) |
Final, Op. 21 (1859 version) | César Franck (Franck) |
$5
John Williams – Essay and Flute Concerto
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Gabriel Venzago, conductor / Jin Ta, flute*
Fri / 29 Mar 24 / 7.30pm
Sat / 30 Mar 24 / 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
A dark and mysterious atmosphere fills the Essay for Strings by John Williams, the most famous film composer of our times. You may be more familiar with his music for the movies, but you’ll certainly hear a dramatic hint of his well-known scores in the Essay and his Japanese-influenced Flute Concerto, starring SSO Principal Flute and Stephen Riady Chair, Jin Ta. The blistering energy of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 makes an exciting contrast in the second half.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Gabriel Venzago, conductor / Jin Ta, flute*
ProgrammeEssay for Strings | John Williams |
|---|---|
Flute Concerto* | John Williams |
Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36 | Ludwig van Beethoven (Beethoven) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
Olga Peretyatko – A Night at the Opera
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Mikhail Agrest, conductor / Olga Peretyatko, soprano
Sat / 06 Apr 24 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
Truly enchanting, dazzling, luxurious – soprano Olga Peretyatko has charmed audiences all over the world with her voice, singing opera roles by Mozart, Donizetti, Bellini, Rossini, Verdi and other composers. Join the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and the acclaimed Mikhail Agrest as they accompany her in a night of the most cherished opera arias from the French and Italian repertory.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Mikhail Agrest, conductor / Olga Peretyatko, soprano
ProgrammeOverture to Don Pasquale | Gaetano Donizetti (Donizetti) |
|---|---|
“Quel guardo il cavaliere” from Don Pasquale | Gaetano Donizetti (Donizetti) |
“Casta Diva” from Norma | Vincenzo Bellini (Bellini) |
Preludio Sinfonico | Giacomo Puccini (Puccini) |
“D’amor sull’ali rose” from Il trovatore | Giuseppe Verdi (Verdi) |
“Merce dilette amici” from I Vespri Siciliani | Giuseppe Verdi (Verdi) |
Carmen Suite No. 1 | Georges Bizet (Bizet) |
“Ouvre ton coeur” from Vasco de Gama | Georges Bizet (Bizet) |
“Me voila seule dans la nuit” from Le Pecheurs de Perles | Georges Bizet (Bizet) |
Lamento | Alexis Emmanuel Chabrier (Chabrier) |
Gavotte from Manon | Jules Massenet (Massenet) |
Valse from Roméo et Juliette | Charles Gounod (Gounod) |
$128, $98, $78, $58, $38, $25
Kreisler, Stravinsky and Mozart
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider, conductor/violin
Fri / 12 Apr 24 / 7.30pm
Sat / 13 Apr 24 / 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
Italian Baroque, French ballet, Viennese ingenuity, Czech inspiration are the many facets of Europe that illuminate this concert. We hear the rarely performed Violin Concerto by Fritz Kreisler, who once passed it off as Vivaldi’s handiwork, Stravinsky’s comedic ballet inspired by Italian legend and Mozart’s lively Prague Symphony. Danish violinist-conductor Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider leads the Singapore Symphony in this light-hearted, charming programme.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider, conductor/violin
ProgrammeViolin Concerto in the Style of Vivaldi | Fritz Kreisler (Kreisler) |
|---|---|
Pulcinella Suite | Igor Stravinsky (Stravinsky) |
Symphony No. 38 in D major, K. 504 “Prague” | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Mozart) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
Brahms Requiem and Schumann Cello Concerto
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Singapore National Youth Orchestra / Singapore Symphony Chorus / Singapore Symphony Youth Choir / Hans Graf, Music Director / Eudenice Palaruan, Choral Director / Wong Lai Foon, Choirmaster / Qin Li-Wei, cello* / Susanna Andersson, soprano^ / Bo Skovhus, baritone^
Sat / 20 Apr 24 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Brahms wrote his Requiem not to mourn the dead, but to give solace to the bereaved. Brahms himself lost a dear friend and mentor when Schumann died in 1856. The latter never heard his Cello Concerto performed. Their music comes to life in this soul-searching programme featuring Singapore-based Australian cellist Qin Li-Wei in Schumann’s Cello Concerto and the Singapore National Youth Orchestra playing side-by-side with the SSO. The Singapore Symphony Chorus and Youth Choir, Swedish soprano Susanna Andersson and Danish baritone Bo Skovhus lend their voices to Brahms’s Requiem.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Singapore National Youth Orchestra / Singapore Symphony Chorus / Singapore Symphony Youth Choir / Hans Graf, Music Director / Eudenice Palaruan, Choral Director / Wong Lai Foon, Choirmaster / Qin Li-Wei, cello* / Susanna Andersson, soprano^ / Bo Skovhus, baritone^
ProgrammeCello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129* | Robert Schumann (Schumann) |
|---|---|
Ein deutsches Requiem^ | Johannes Brahms (Brahms) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
Ravel’s Spain
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Hans Graf, Music Director / Jade Tan, mezzo-soprano¹/Concepción / Bo Skovhus, baritone²/Ramiro / Kangyoon Shine Lee, tenor/Gonzalve / Anthony Robin Schneider, bass/Don Iñigo Gomez / Jonathan Charles Tay, tenor/Torquemada
Sat / 27 Apr 24 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
¡Ole! Expect sumptuous songs, Flamenco rhythms, wry humour and an orchestral swirl of colours unique to the French masters in this evening of music inspired by Spain. Ravel’s one-act comédie musicale The Spanish Hour will be semi-staged with Singaporean mezzo-soprano Jade Tan in the leading role, while baritone Bo Skovhus serenades his perfect lady in the enchanting songs of Don Quichotte à Dulcinée. This magical night conducted by Singapore Symphony Music Director Hans Graf also displays the orchestra in Ravel’s full sonic canvas, from the evocative Rapsodie espagnole to the electrifying, utterly unforgettable Boléro.
With surtitles in English.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Hans Graf, Music Director / Jade Tan, mezzo-soprano¹/Concepción / Bo Skovhus, baritone²/Ramiro / Kangyoon Shine Lee, tenor/Gonzalve / Anthony Robin Schneider, bass/Don Iñigo Gomez / Jonathan Charles Tay, tenor/Torquemada
ProgrammeL’Heure espagnole (The Spanish Hour) | Maurice Ravel (Ravel) |
|---|---|
Rapsodie espagnole | Maurice Ravel (Ravel) |
Chanson espagnole¹ | Maurice Ravel (Ravel) |
Pièce en forme de habanera¹ | Maurice Ravel (Ravel) |
Don Quichotte à Dulcinée² | Maurice Ravel (Ravel) |
Boléro | Maurice Ravel (Ravel) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev – Hans Graf and Benjamin Schmid
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Hans Graf, Music Director / Benjamin Schmid, violin*
Thu / 02 May 24 / 7.30pm
Fri / 03 May 24 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
Tchaikovsky holds nothing back in his tremendous Fifth Symphony, a towering work with its heart fully on its sleeve, nor in his turbulent overture encapsulating the passion and angst of Romeo and Juliet. Couple these with the lyrical desolation of Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2, starring the versatile and critically acclaimed violinist Benjamin Schmid, and you have a lavish programme of Romantic fervour and piquant modernity that will not fail to please.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Hans Graf, Music Director / Benjamin Schmid, violin*
ProgrammeRomeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Tchaikovsky) |
|---|---|
Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 63* | Sergei Prokofiev (Prokofiev) |
Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64 | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Tchaikovsky) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
SSO Mother’s Day Concert 2024
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor
Sun / 12 May 24 / 6.00pm
Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor
The Pavel Haas Quartet
The Pavel Haas Quartet
Sun / 19 May 24 / 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
Winner of six Gramophone Awards, the much-lauded Pavel Haas Quartet is named after the Czech composer Pavel Haas (1899–1944). Their reputation for championing the music – both familiar and unfamiliar – of their homeland is more than abundantly justified by their magnificent musicianship. Not to be missed!
FeaturingThe Pavel Haas Quartet
Price$30, $20
Poetry of the Harp – Xavier de Maistre
Xavier de Maistre, harp
Wed / 22 May 24 / 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
“Xavier de Maistre is a virtuoso of the highest order, profoundly musical and capable of realising a remarkable range of nuance.” (Gramophone). Xavier de Maistre’s command of the harp is as sure as his fervent championship of its music both old and new. The strength of his many transcriptions of keyboard staples ensures they sound as if they were reborn anew for the harp – be prepared to have your breath taken away in this solo recital.
FeaturingXavier de Maistre, harp
ProgrammeSonata in C minor | Giovanni Battista Pescetti |
|---|---|
Sonata No. 13 in C minor, Op. 35, No. 3 | Jan Ladislav Dussek |
Recuerdos de la Alhambra | Francisco Tárrega |
Spanish Dance No. 1 from La vida breve | Manuel de Falla (Manuel de Falla) |
Impromptu No. 6 in D-flat major, Op. 86 | Gabriel Fauré (Fauré) |
Valses Poéticos | Enrique Granados (Granados) |
Arabesque No. 1 | Claude Debussy (Debussy) |
Légende | Henriette Renié |
$60, $50, $40, $30, $20
Virtuose de la harp – Xavier de Maistre
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Pierre Bleuse, conductor / Xavier de Maistre, harp*
Sat / 25 May 24 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
The scintillating beauty and spellbinding modernity of Ginastera’s Harp Concerto reveal the rich compositional style of the Argentine composer. Acclaimed French harpist Xavier de Maistre makes a striking soloist in this colourful, evocative work. No less thrilling are Respighi’s shimmering tributes to ancient Rome in this orchestral pageant led by French maestro Pierre Bleuse.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Pierre Bleuse, conductor / Xavier de Maistre, harp*
ProgrammeFountains of Rome | Ottorino Respighi (Respighi) |
|---|---|
Harp Concerto, Op. 25* | Alberto Ginastera (Ginastera) |
Roman Festivals | Ottorino Respighi (Respighi) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
Emperor Concerto and Symphonie Fantastique
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Pierre Bleuse, conductor / Paul Lewis, piano*
Sat / 01 Jun 24 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
Beethoven’s aptly named Emperor Piano Concerto is music of magnificent, heroic nobility matching the composer’s legend. Berlioz’s spectacular Symphonie fantastique, another concert hall favourite, is a torrid musical drama – lovestruck, intoxicating, tender, obsessive – a symphonic arc of Romantic fervour and inevitable doom. Join the Singapore Symphony Orchestra in this final, epic chapter of the 2023/24 season.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Pierre Bleuse, conductor / Paul Lewis, piano*
ProgrammeSSO New Commission | Cheng Jin Koh (Koh Cheng Jin) |
|---|---|
Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor”* | Ludwig van Beethoven (Beethoven) |
Symphonie fantastique | Hector Berlioz (Berlioz) |
$88, $68, $48, $38, $28, $15
ABOUT THE SINGAPORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Founded in 1979, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is Singapore’s flagship orchestra, touching lives through classical music and providing the heartbeat of the cultural scene. In addition to its subscription series concerts, the SSO is also known for its outdoor and community appearances. The orchestra also presents intimate chamber performances in the VCHpresents series, the annual Singapore International Piano Festival (SIPF) and the biennial National Piano and Violin Competition (NPVC) at the Victoria Concert Hall, Home of the SSO. The SSO is part of the Singapore Symphony Group, which also manages the Singapore Symphony Choruses, and the Singapore National Youth Orchestra. The mission of the Group is to create memorable shared experiences with music. Through the SSO and its affiliated performing groups, we spread the love for music, nurture talent and enrich our diverse communities.
The Singapore Symphony Orchestra was nominated and clinched third place in the prestigious Gramophone Orchestra of the Year Award 2021. In 2022, BBC Music Magazine named the SSO as one of the 21 best orchestras in the world.
Visit Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s website and find out more.
Follow Singapore Symphony’s Orchestra Facebook page, Instagram
and YouTube page
ABOUT VCHPRESENTS
The VCHpresents series by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra is a showcase of the finest musicians from around the world: master instrumentalists and acclaimed ensembles in diverse programmes both traditional and unexpected. The series is presented at the Victoria Concert Hall in various formats: Chamber, featuring world-class artistes and familiar faces from the Singapore Symphony in the intimate setting of chamber music; Intimate Moments, which offers a harmonious concert to listen and converse with a select musician of the Singapore Symphony family; and Organ, featuring the VCH Klais Organ as it brings organists from around the world to perform a magnificent range of music, from traditional organ soliloquys to transcriptions of orchestral showpieces, contemporary compositions and collaborations with other instruments, plus family programmes tailored to introduce classical music to the young ones.
Follow VCHpresents Facebook page and Instagram
ABOUT THE SINGAPORE SYMPHONY CHORUSES
The Singapore Symphony Choruses is a premier choral body comprising the Singapore Symphony Chorus, Singapore Symphony Youth Choir and Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir.
Since 1980, the Choruses have seen membership from diverse ages, backgrounds and nationalities. Regularly sharing the stage with the SSO, the Choruses record and tour with the orchestra, as well as give their own performances in Singapore and abroad. Through holistic training that nurtures artistic growth and personal development, the Choruses aim to articulate an ecosystem of choral excellence. Repertoire for the respective choruses straddle musical worlds and styles, ranging from orchestral masterpieces to a cappella favourites, and spanning the Renaissance to contemporary 21-st century music. Throughout the pandemic, the Choruses challenged the boundaries of remote collaboration in music making, releasing several productions including a music video "We Will Get There", as well as a one-of-its-kind joint choral performance "Longing", entirely enabled by technology.
Find out more about Singapore Symphony Choruses
ABOUT THE SINGAPORE NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Formally established in 1980, the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) has welcomed generations of youths to the life-changing experience of playing orchestra music, performing locally as well as representing Singapore at prestigious concert halls and music festivals overseas. Over the years, the SNYO has performed in concert venues and music festivals across Australia, Austria, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia and the United Kingdom. Today, the orchestra consists of 180 youths aged 10 to 21, from more than 60 schools across Singapore. The SNYO family consists of a main orchestra and a junior orchestra, where they are guided by professional musicians in rehearsals, sectionals and masterclasses. Their programme is accessible to talented youth musicians with selected individual lesson subsidy and travel grants for tours as well as participation in exchange programmes. The SNYO is recognised by the Ministry of Education as a National Project of Excellence, and part of the Singapore Symphony Group.
Find out more about Singapore National Youth Orchestra.
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