Politics aside, Russian composers are still beloved in Singapore

Benjamin Schmid with Hans Graf and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra

By Chang Tou Liang, 03 May 2024

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“Schmid’s sumptuous tone and pristine intonation came like a breath of fresh air”

Reviewed at Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore on 2 May 2024

Tchaikovsky, Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy Overture

Prokofiev, Violin Concerto no. 2 in G minor, Op.63

Tchaikovsky, Symphony no. 5 in E minor, Op.64

Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Hans Graf, Director

Benjamin Schmid, Violin

Takács-Nagy’s Schumann trumps Bach at the Singapore Symphony

Chang Tou Liang, 13th February

Bach concertos on a modern Steinway prove a mixed blessing, but the Singapore Symphony's Schumann impresses under Hungarian conductor Gábor Takács-Nagy.

****1

Pierre Bleuse and the Singapore Symphony raise the roof again

Chang Tou Liang, 30th January

High decibel hits arrive via Prokofiev’s Scythian Suite and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, sandwiching Liszt from Bertrand Chamayou.

****1

World premiere of Jonathan Shin’s Piano Concerto a Singapore landmark

Chang Tou Liang, 19th December

The Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Churen Li score in a landmark new Singaporean piano concerto by Jonathan Shin.

****1

Hannu Lintu shows Singapore great things to come with Mahler and Haydn

Chang Tou Liang, 14th November

The Singapore Symphony Orchestra's Music Director-designate made his mark conducting Mahler's Fourth Symphony and the Nelson Mass.

*****

Rudolf Buchbinder completes Singapore Beethoven concerto cycle

Chang Tou Liang, 23rd October

Love fills the air as two Carl Nielsen cantatas are premiered in Singapore under Michał Nesterowicz.

****1

Yo-Yo Ma thrills and enthralls Singapore audience

Chang Tou Liang, 25th September

At the threshold of seventy, Yo-Yo Ma still a box office dream, plays Dvořák with the Singapore Symphony.

****1

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Chang Tou Liang

Chang Tou Liang, a native of Singapore, is a family physician by profession. Actively following the classical music scene in Singapore since 1979, he has been a music reviewer of The Straits Times from 1997, contributing over 2300 articles to the national daily. He was also editor of several local musical newsletters and served as Artistic Director of the Singapore International Piano Festival from 2004 to 2008. His blog Pianomania has covered international piano competitions and musical events in four continents. He has a keen interest in travelling, street food and cat photography.