A Requiem of repose: Stephen Layton conducts Fauré in Singapore

Martin Ng, Victoria Songwei Li, Wong Lai Foon and Stephen Layton

Stephen Layton conducts the Singapore Symphony Youth and Children's Choirs

By Chang Tou Liang, 18 September 2022

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“Layton coaxed from the ensemble a cathedral of sonority”

Reviewed at Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore on 16 September 2022

Tallis, Why fum'th in fight

Vaughan Williams, Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis

Fauré, Pavane in F sharp minor, Op.50

Fauré, Cantique de Jean Racine, Op.11

Fauré, Requiem, Op.48 (1893 version)

Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Singapore Symphony Youth Choir

Singapore Symphony Children's Choir

Stephen Layton, Conductor

Wong Lai Foon, Choirmaster / chorus director

Victoria Songwei Li, Soprano

Martin Ng, Baritone

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.