Korngold’s gem of a symphony receives rapturous Singapore premiere

Lise de la Salle and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Stefan Blunier conducts the Singapore Symphony Orchestra

By Chang Tou Liang, 12 February 2023

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“de la Salle more than held her own with each thrust and blow”

Reviewed at Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore on 11 February 2023

Riisager, Etudes (selection)

Gershwin, Piano Concerto in F

Busoni, Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ (Bach BWV 639)

Korngold, Symphony in F sharp major, Op.40 (Singapore premiere)

Lise de la Salle, Piano

Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Stefan Blunier, Conductor

Eliahu Inbal enlivens the Singapore Symphony

Chang Tou Liang, 28th March

The nonagenarian conductor enlivens Singapore's Esplanade Concert Hall with masterly readings of Shostakovich and Rachmaninov

****1

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

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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.