Romantic Masterpieces: Tchaikovsky, Brahms & Koh
Internationally acclaimed Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) had their Australian debut in Brisbane on the weekend to a Concert Hall filled to the brim with classical music enthusiasts. The orchestra was joined by two fantastic soloists - teenage violin wunderkind Chloe Chua, and Australian-born principal cellist Ng Pei‑Sian. The conductor was the renowned, Grammy Award-winning SSO Music Director Hans Graf.
The program of Romantic Masterpieces opened with an original work by composer Koh Cheng Jin. Entitled “Luciola Singapura” the work is a combination of eastern and western musical sensibilities. Inspired by and named after a luminous firefly recently discovered deep in Singapore’s Nee Soon Forest, her ingenious composition brings bioluminescence to life through music. Eclectic and expressive, the work blends angular rhythms to create an evocative soundscape. The inclusion of the Yang Qin (Chinese dulcimer) also enhances the work’s rich textures.
It's during this opening number that the discipline and dedication of the SSO is on full display. If there was ever an argument for the existence of collective consciousness, this would be a strong contender. Every performer on that stage was working in perfect cohesion with each other, almost appearing as one organism. Graf obviously runs a tight ship, and you could see him encouraging and uplifting the instrumentalists, pushing them to inject every note with emotion and meaning.
Next came the moment many in the audience were waiting for: Brahms “Concerto for Violin and Cello in A minor, Op.102”. It was during this work that we were treated to the astounding talents of the two soloists backed again by some flawless work by the orchestra. Both soloists brought a confident yet humble approach to the performance, working very much as collaborators not competitors and without arrogance or pretence.
Cellist Ng Pei‑Sian was wonderful at evoking emotion with his work, performing with great feeling. Violinist Chloe Chua showed a high level of calm and focus as her bow skilfully darted across the strings, she made the difficult appear effortless (fun fact: Brahms wanted to make the violin part in this piece as tricky as possible to perform). The heavenly interplay between violin and cello in this work really felt like a romantic conversation between two lovers.
As the audience showed their appreciation with rapturous applause, both soloists then returned to stage to surprise us with a special encore treat. The orchestra remained quiet as the two performed a heartfelt rendition of “Waltzing Matilda” before taking their final, well-earned bows. The performance explored different ways of expressing the melody, moving from emotionally evocative to more contemporary and experimental sounds.
After interval, the orchestra returned to present Tchaikovsky “Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op.64” – which some consider to be Tchaikovsky’s best work. It’s the quintessential masterpiece of Russian romanticism, brimming with passion, drama, and exquisite orchestration. SSO captured perfectly the anguished intensity of its melodies and the sheer opulence of its sound, making this performance utterly intoxicating. Particularly excellent was the second movement, with its breathtaking horn solo and soaring climaxes, and the finale, which was a whirlwind of drama and grandeur.
Again, the audience’s enthusiasm for the performers was rewarded – this time with two encores. Tchaikovsky’s “Ecossaise from Eugene Onegin” and Scriabin “Reverie, Op.24”. It appeared as if Graf was not content to leave the stage without showing us a little more of the amazing skills of the SSO under his baton.
SSO certainly represented their nation to the highest standard, demonstrating why critics continue to acclaim them for their virtuosity. The entire show was packed with electrifying moments that made it impossible not to be swept away. Graf’s passionate and commanding stage presence, alongside his nurturing and encouragement of such talented artists was a pleasure and a treat to experience.
Kitty Goodall
Photographer Peter Wallis
Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.