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Esplanade Presents

Spectrum

SEEDS by Schola Cantorum Singapore Chamber Choir 5 Mar 2017, Sun, 5pm Esplanade Recital Studio

Spectrum

5/5

Minimalism

As Spectrum continues to celebrate the simplicity of rhythms and phrases in Minimalism, we welcome Schola Cantorum Singapore Chamber Choir in a programme of minimalism for voices. This concert is structured in a pseudo-arch form, beginning with Clapping Music by Steve Reich, one of the pioneers of minimalism. Spiritual minimalism is represented in the two works by Arvo Pärt and John Tavener, Pärt’s The Beatitudes recount the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, each line beginning with ‘Blessed are the..”, while for Tavener’s Song For Athene, an “Alleluia” prefaces every sentence in the text. Conductor Albert Tay’s own Longing takes minimalism at its literal sense by the use of simple ideas, a single mood, and by using the succinct form of Chinese poetry (five words per line, in four lines). He was influenced b y the philosophy behind Kelly Tang’s The Wind, where mighty things can arise from the tiniest of ideas; this philosophy inspired the title and programming of today’s concert, SEEDS, from how the simplest musical seeds can grow into mighty oaks. The central section features Leong Yoon Pin’s Dragon Dance, economical in its use of text, making use of onomatopoeia, using the syllables “dong” and “qiang” to make up the piece with baroque and fugal ideas. Similarly, John Cage’s Four2 uses the syllables of the word ‘Oregon’ to create shifting sonorities from the four voices. At the heart of this concert is Thomas Jennefelt’s Villarosa Sarialdi, itself in an arch form, made out of nonsense text assembled by the composer to explore the purity of choral and vocal tones. We hope you will enjoy the evening of minimalism for voices with Schola Cantorum Singapore Chamber Choir and their conductor, Mr Albert Tay. Do look out for the last concert in the series, SETTS #4 which takes place on 9 April. For more information, pick up a copy of our minimalist-designed flyer, or visit https://www.esplanade.com/setts4.

Yours sincerely, Natalie Ng Programmer

Programme Steve REICH Clapping Music Arvo PÄRT The Beatitudes Albert TAY Longing LEONG Yoon Pin Dragon Dance Thomas JENNEFELT Villarosa Sarialdi John CAGE Four2 Kelly TANG The Wind John TAVENER Song for Athene

Lyrics & Translations (in performance order) The Beatitudes Blessed are the poor in spirit: or theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace makers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Amen.

相思 (Longing) – Albert Tay 红豆生南国, 春来发几枝。 愿君多采撷, 此物最相思。 Red berries grow in southern land, In spring, they overload the tree. Gather them till full is your hand, They would revive fond memories.

The Wind – Kelly Tang I saw you toss the kites on high And blow the birds about the sky; And all around I heard you pass, Like ladies' skirts across the grass— O wind, a-blowing all day long, O wind, that sings so loud a song! I saw the different things you did, But always you yourself you hid. I felt you push, I heard you call, I could not see yourself at all— O wind, a-blowing all day long, O wind, that sings so loud a song! O you that are so strong and cold, O blower, are you young or old? A re you a beast of field and tree, Or just a stronger child than me? O wind, a-blowing all day long, O wind, that sings so loud a song!

Song for Athene – John Tavener Alleluia May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest Alleluia Remember me, O Lord, when you come into your kingdom Alleluia Give rest, O Lord, to your handmaid who has fallen asleep Alleluia The Choir of Saints have found the well-spring of life and door of paradise Alleluia Life: a shadow and a dream Alleluia Come, enjoy rewards and crowns I have prepared for you. Alleluia

Albert Tay Composer-conductor Albert internationally

as

a

Tay

is

musician,

in

demand

educator

and

adjudicator. Apart from guest conducting, he has delivered

keynote

lectures

and

professional

development courses for musicians and educators, and has given workshops for choral and instrumental ensembles. His work has taken him to various cities in Indonesia, Hungary, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, UK and the USA on invitation by award-winning choirs as well as various national institutions, associations or societies for choirs and/or education. As founding director of the Kodály Academy of Music (Singapore), Albert oversees the arts company that has been spearheading the Asia Kodály Symposium (AKS) in collaboration with his alma mater, the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy of Music. Since its inception in 2014, the biannual AKS has provided concert platforms for young artists and the best international choirs and instrumentalists, whilst contributing to the continuing education of music professionals. The event was attended by delegates and panelists from Australia to America and has been held in Indonesia and Taiwan. Apart from running conducting and choral courses and workshops under KAM’s local ‘Studiorum Series”, Albert has also taught choral conducting at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), and music appreciation & ensemble skills at UniSIM. He was chorus master for live-to- screen projection of “Lord of the Rings”, Richard Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman”, and has commissioned and premiered numerous Singaporean works ranging from opera, choral to solo voice. His school choirs has consistently garnered top prizes and reviews, both locally and abroad. The NAFA alumnus credits his mentors Professor Peter Erdéi (Hungary) and Jennifer Tham (Singapore) as major influences in his journey as a conductor, and is grateful to the International Kodály Society, National Arts Council (Singapore) and NAFA for scholarships that supported his degree and post-graduate studies.

Schola Cantorum Singapore The Schola Cantorum Singapore (SCS) choir collective found its beginnings in 2015 as a chamber choir with an open, educational outlook, seeking to nurture the next generation of professional musicians, music educators and music lovers. This mission together with our core values of excellence, people and innovation has led us on a journey to explore the skill sets needed for the chorister of the 21st century. Honing holistic development and complementing voice and music training with stagecraft, dance and movement, SCS has helped produce and premiere renowned Singaporean composer Dr. John Sharpley’s fully staged chamber opera, “The Tanglin Tree”, a work specially commissioned in 2015 for the 150th Anniversary of one of Singapore’s oldest and most prestigious clubs. SCS was also the opera chorus for the 2016 milestone premiere performances of fully staged productions of Richard Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” in its original German language, working alongside a creative team and cast of top international and Singaporean talents. SCS has also supported community outreach and professional development through concertising, serving as demonstration choir for workshops and providing soloists and composers for local events: Singapore International Festival of Music (2015) held at The Arts House, SPH Gift of Music in collaboration with Ding Yi Music Company, Kodaly Academy of Music (Singapore)’s “2016 Studiorum Series” choral conducting courses as well as Esplanade’s “Voices: A Festival of Songs”. SCS has been invited to perform in colourful corporate events ranging from flashmobs at Orchard Ion, pop music at Zouk, and operas for German Unification Day organised by the German Embassy. SCS was invited by Natus Cantorum (Taiwan) to participate in the Asian Cities Choral Exchange in a joint concert on Christmas Eve of 2015. Members of the choir hail from different corners of the globe, are mostly in their 20-40s, and come from all walks of life – students, photo journalists, bankers, accountants, conductors, composers, opera singers, music educators etc. Schola Cantorum Singapore auditions all year-round, so do join this happy family in song!

Schola Cantorum Singapore | Albert Tay, Artistic Director Soprano

Tenor

Cassandra Sim

Benedict Goh

Fadzlianie Yusof

Gerald Leow

Jiunwen Wang

Jonathan Huang

Grace Kuo Pei-Yu

Kelvin Ang

Loh Man Ying

Mitsuru Iiizumi

Lu Shan Hwa

Derrick Kam

Marie Anne Chia Mona Lim Nathania Chan Ho Sin Huay Susan Hurley Teo Hsin Ching

Bass

Avinash Vellavan Bernard Lee Eric Quek

Saw Xue Ting

Hei Fung

Alto

Shen Ting Ang

June Nguyen

Arlene Chng

Ching Kwock Wing

Christine Ho

Shaun Teo

Chugey Lee Jessie Chua Lee Khim Chong Tay Li Lien Marialena Strafti Michelle Yap Mildred Estrada Huang Meng Ting Tan Yee Hong Jamie Chan Jocelyne Hill

Esplanade Presents

Spectrum

Legendary composer Steve Reich kicked off our celebration of minimalism at Spectrum 2016/17. Continue to discover the complex textures, rhythms, and beats of this genre that originated in 1960s downtown New York, as part of a movement that challenges the idea of excess. Join us as we showcase local composers who take on various themes and bring you fresh encounters with minimalism.

In View Of Distant Lands by YST Conservatory New Music Ensemble

Maximally Minimal by Quinnuance

OpusNovus: After Elvis

10 Apr 2016, Sun, 5pm

10 Jul 2016, Sun, 5pm

10 Nov 2016, Thu, 7.30pm

SEEDS by Schola Cantorum Singapore Chamber Choir

SETTS #4

5 Mar 2017, Sun, 5pm

9 Apr 2017, Sun, 5pm

www.esplanade.com

EsplanadeSG

Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is operated by The Esplanade Co Ltd (TECL), which is a not-for-profit organisation, a registered Charity and an Institution of a Public Character.

All shows are held at the Esplanade Recital Studio. For more details, visit www.esplanade.com/spectrum

EsplanadeSingapore #esplanade UEN: 199205206G Information correct at time of print.