Maurice Ravel and Dame Ethel Smyth works premiere in Singapore

Behzod Abduraimov and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Hans Graf conducts the Singapore Symphony Chorus and Orchestra

By Chang Tou Liang, 14 April 2025

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“sweeping arpeggios, scintillating runs and stampeding octaves”

Reviewed at Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore on 11 April 2025

Smyth, The Wreckers: On the Cliffs of Cornwall (Prelude to Act 2)

Rachmaninov, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in A minor for piano and orchestra, Op.43

Liszt, Grandes Études de Paganini S 141: no. 3 in G sharp minor, "La Campanella"

Rachmaninov, Prelude in G major, Op.32 no.5

Ravel, Daphnis et Chloé

Behzod Abduraimov, Piano

Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Singapore Symphony Chorus

Singapore Symphony Youth Choir

Hans Graf, Conductor

Eudenice Palaruan, Choirmaster / chorus director

Eric Lu brings scintillating Chopin to Singapore

Chang Tou Liang, 1st May

A world premiere by Wang Chenwei, familiar Chopin and a rare outing for Bartók’s Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta make for satisfying fare in Jahcun Wong’s Singapore Symphony programme.

****1

Lintu, Kavakos and the SSO make the case for Shostakovich

Chang Tou Liang, 9th April

Has Shostakovich become the new Rachmaninov in Singapore? The SSO and Hannu Lintu show that he can be as popular as Rachmaninov.

*****

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

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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.