SSO Christmas Fundraising Concert 2022

Singapore Symphony Orchestra Singapore Symphony Chorus1 Singapore Symphony Youth Choir2 Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir3 Rodolfo Barráez Associate Conductor Koh Jia Hwei organ Eudenice Palaruan Choral Director Wong Lai Foon Choirmaster Christmas Concerto by Locatelli Andante–Allegro from Organ Concerto in B-flat major, Op. 4 No. 6 by Handel Winter – Largo for solo organ by Vivaldi (arr. Scott) Excerpts from Christmas Concerto by Corelli Intermission

Pachelbel (arr. Khachatryan)

For the enjoyment of all patrons during the concert:

• Please switch off or silence all electronic devices.

• Please minimise noises during performance.

If unavoidable, wait for a loud section in the music.

• No photography, video or audio recording is allowed when artists are performing.

• Non-flash photography is allowed only during bows and applause when no performance is taking place.

Go green. Digital programme books are available on www.sso.org.sg.

Photographs and videos will be taken at these events, in which you may appear. These may be published on the SSO’s publicity channels and materials. By attending the event, you consent to the use of these photographs and videos for the foregoing purposes.

SHOP AND SUPPORT THE SINGAPORE

SYMPHONY

SINGAPORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Since its founding in 1979, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has been Singapore’s flagship orchestra, touching lives through classical music and providing the heartbeat of the cultural scene in the cosmopolitan city-state.

In addition to its subscription series concerts, the orchestra is well-loved for its outdoor and community appearances, and its significant role educating the young people of Singapore. The SSO has also earned an international reputation for its orchestral virtuosity, having garnered sterling reviews for its overseas tours and many successful recordings. In 2021, the SSO clinched third place in the prestigious Orchestra of the Year Award by Gramophone.

In July 2022, the SSO appointed renowned Austrian conductor Hans Graf as its Music Director, the third in the orchestra’s history after Lan Shui (1997–2019) and Choo Hoey (1979–1996). Prior to this, Hans Graf served as Chief Conductor from 2020, leading the SSO in keeping music alive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The SSO makes its performing home at the 1,800-seat state-of-the-art Esplanade Concert Hall. More intimate works, as well as outreach and community performances

take place at the 673-seat Victoria Concert Hall, the Home of the SSO. The orchestra performs over 60 concerts a year, and its versatile repertoire spans all-time favourites and orchestral masterpieces to exciting cutting-edge premieres. The SSO launched its digital concert hall, SSOLOUNGE, in 2021. Bridging the musical traditions of East and West, Singaporean and Asian musicians and composers are regularly showcased in the concert season.

Beyond Singapore, the SSO has performed in Europe, Asia and the United States. In May 2016 the SSO was invited to perform at the Dresden Music Festival and the Prague Spring International Music Festival. This successful five-city tour of Germany and Prague also included the SSO’s second performance at the Berlin Philharmonie. In 2014 the SSO’s debut at the 120th BBC Proms in London received critical acclaim in the major UK newspapers The Guardian and The Telegraph. The SSO has also performed in China on multiple occasions.

The SSO has released more than 50 recordings, with over 30 on the BIS label. The most recent critically acclaimed albums include a Rachmaninoff box set (2021), Richard Strauss’ “Rosenkavalier and Other Works” (2020), and three Debussy discs “La Mer”, “Jeux” and “Nocturnes”. A Four Seasons album and a complete Mozart Violin Concerto cycle with Chloe Chua and Hans Graf will be released in the near future.

The SSO has also collaborated with such great artists as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Gustavo Dudamel, Charles Dutoit, Joe Hisaishi, Neeme Järvi, Okko Kamu, Hannu Lintu, Andrew Litton, Lorin Maazel, Martha Argerich, Ray Chen, Diana Damrau, Stephen Hough, Janine Jansen, Leonidas Kavakos,

Lang Lang, Yo-Yo Ma, Gil Shaham and Krystian Zimerman.

The SSO is part of the Singapore Symphony Group, which also manages the Singapore Symphony Choruses, the Singapore National Youth Orchestra, and the VCHpresents chamber music series, the Singapore International Piano Festival and the biennial National Piano & Violin Competition.

The mission of the Group is to create memorable shared experiences with music. Through the SSO and its affiliated performing groups, we spread the love for music, nurture talent and enrich our diverse communities.

HANS GRAF Music Director

RODOLFO BARRÁEZ Associate Conductor

Berlin-based Venezuelan conductor

Rodolfo Barráez made his debut with the Konzerthausorchester Berlin in 2020. A natural communicator with infectious charisma, Rodolfo brings remarkable vivacity, sensitivity and zeal to his artistry.

In 2020, Barráez took the Second Prize at the Inaugural Siemens-Hallé International Conductor Competition in Manchester, leading to immediate invitations with The Hallé. He was also awarded First Prize at the 2018 Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México International Conducting Competition (OFUNAM).

Having completed a Bachelor degree in conducting at the Universidad Nacional Experimental de las Artes de Venezuela, Barráez also studied a Bachelor and Master degree in conducting at Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin. Rodolfo made his European debut at Philharmonie Berlin in 2019 with the Hauptstadt SinfonieOrchester. In summer 2022, he was selected to take part in the Conducting Fellowship of the Verbier Festival, where he was assistant conductor to Charles Dutoit and Gianandrea Noseda, among others.

Some of his most recent guest conductor performances include the Appasionato Orchestra at the Verbier Festival 2022, Symphony Orchestra of the Principality of Asturias, The Hallé Orchestra, Konzerthausorchester Berlin, the RTVE Symphony Orchestra, Simón Bolívar Symphony, Bogotá Philharmonic, Yucatán Philharmonic, Querétaro Symphony Orchestra, UNAM Philharmonic Orchestra, Minería Symphony Orchestra, among others.

The 2022-23 season sees him join the Singapore Symphony Orchestra as Associate Conductor, as well as the Los Angeles Philharmonic as a Dudamel Conducting Fellow.

Future highlights include his US debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a series of concerts at the Hollywood Bowl.

© PEDRO SIERRA

KOH JIA HWEI organ

Jia Hwei started learning the organ in 2013 with Dr Evelyn Lim. She continued her studies with Susan Landale and Gerard Brooks at the Royal Academy of Music in London (UK), where she was the recipient of the Joyce Rhoda Danzelman Award, Eric Windo Organ Award, and Stephen Bicknell Organology Prize. During her graduate studies in London, she was organ and choral scholar at St. Michael’s and All Angels in Croydon, and organist at St. Mary’s in Acton. She was awarded her Masters in performance in 2019.

Originally, Jia Hwei majored in piano at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester (UK), where her tutors were Jeremy Young and Carole Presland. She graduated with her Bachelors, and subsequently Masters of Music in 2003. She won a number of awards during her studies at the RNCM, including the Rawsthorne Prize, the Bach Recital Prize, and the Prix Scarbo.

She is now based in Singapore, and plays regularly for the VCH Organ Series. She continues to work with local orchestras, such as the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, re:Sound, Re:mix, and Red Dot Baroque.

© TIMOTHY TEO

EUDENICE PALARUAN Choral Director

Eudenice Palaruan studied at U.P. College of Music, majoring in composition and choral conducting. After finishing his Bachelor's Degree, he took another four-year study at the Berliner Kirchenmusikschule, Germany, majoring in choral conducting.

He was the resident composer/arranger and assistant choirmaster of the Philippine Madrigal Singers. He performed with the World Youth Choir and the Berlin Monteverdichor. In addition, he was the principal conductor of the San Miguel Master Chorale. For the past years, he

has been the resident conductor of the International Bamboo Organ Festival. With his active involvement in the choralization of Philippine and other Asian indigenous music, he premiered a significant volume of new Asian choral works. In addition, he was often invited to give lectures on non-Western vocal aesthetics.

Eudenice taught composition and choral conducting in several institutions such as the University of the Philippines College of Music, the Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music, and St. Paul University College of Music and the Performing Arts. Currently, he teaches at the Singapore Bible College School of Church Music and directs the SBC Canticorum.

During the extended lockdown, Eudenice continued skill development programmes to maintain the vocal and artistic upkeep of the Singapore Symphony Chorus. Through hybrid online-physical rehearsals, he gave vocal training to its members, rehearsing chamber ensembles and developing repertoire breadth for equal voices. In addition, as a composer and arranger, he wrote new choral works for The SSC Affair, an outreach programme of the Singapore Symphony Chorus that trains choral music enthusiasts around Singapore.

SSO

WONG LAI FOON

Choirmaster

Armed with a passion to inspire choral excellence in children and youth, Wong Lai Foon has been a driving force behind the development and growth of the Singapore Symphony Children’s and Youth Choirs. A founding conductor of the Children’s Choir (SSCC) at its inception in 2006, Wong was appointed Choirmaster in 2015, and led in the formation of the Youth Choir (SSYC) in 2016.

She has prepared both ensembles in a wide range of performances that have drawn praise for the choirs’ beautiful tone and polished delivery. Highlights of past collaborations with the SSO include Britten’s War Requiem, Bizet’s Carmen, Puccini’s La bohème and Mahler’s Second and Third symphonies. In addition, the SSCC has shared the stage with the celebrated ensemble, The King’s Singers, the Maîtrise de Radio France at the Philharmonie de Paris, and has performed for local and world heads of states at state functions. The SSYC is featured on the SSO’s CD, Russian Spectacular.

Wong has commissioned and premiered works by local composers in an effort to

grow the body of local compositions for treble choirs. Her efforts to educate and inspire extend into the community through workshops, talks, as well as adjudicator, chorus-master and guest-conductor roles. Some ensembles that she has worked with include The Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Singapore Symphony Chorus, Singapore Lyric Opera, Hallelujah Singers, and Methodist Festival Choir. She holds a master’s degree in choral conducting from Westminster Choir College, USA.

SINGAPORE SYMPHONY CHORUS

Celebrating Choral Excellence

Singing is a joyful experience, and singing together is a celebration. The Singapore Symphony Chorus offers talented and passionate choristers a platform to come together to perform great symphonic works at the highest standards. In coming together in their shared love for music, the Chorus is a warm community of like-minded choristers, that represents the pinnacle of choral excellence in Singapore.

Since its first performance on 13 June 1980, the Chorus has established itself as one of the finest symphony choruses in the region. The Chorus has performed with renowned conductors including Okko Kamu, Lan Shui, Lim Yau, Masaaki Suzuki and Sofi Jeannin – amassing a wide repertoire such as Rachmaninoff’s The Bells, Arvo Pärt’s Te Deum, Britten’s War Requiem, and Bach’s St John Passion, amongst others.

Palaruan Choral Director

Shane Thio rehearsal pianist

Eudenice

SSO CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISING

SINGAPORE SYMPHONY YOUTH CHOIR

Inspiring Choral Passion

Comprised of Singapore’s finest young choristers aged 17 to 28, the Singapore Symphony Youth Choir is an energetic ensemble inaugurated in 2016 to complement the SSO with a chorus of vibrant voices.

Exploring the best of different musical worlds and styles, the Youth Choir has performed Scriabin’s Prometheus, Puccini’s La bohème, as well as recorded Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances and Mahler’s Symphony No. 2. Within the last seasons, the Youth Choir has had opportunities to perform with world renowned conductors and tour with the SSC and SSO, to present at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in Kuala Lumpur. In 2021, at the height of the pandemic, the Youth Choir continually challenged and overcame performing limitations to produce a digital production of its own, “Where I Belong”.

Wong Lai Foon Choirmaster Evelyn Handrisanto rehearsal pianist

SINGAPORE SYMPHONY CHILDREN'S CHOIR

Nurturing Choral Brilliance

Formed in 2006, the Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir has established itself as the leading children’s choir in Singapore. With over 200 members aged 9 to 18, the choir enriches young singers through holistic choral training that nurtures artistic growth and personal development.

The Children's Choir has performed great choral masterpieces with the SSO and with distinguished conductors such as Lim Yau, Claus Peter Flor, Sofi Jeannin, François-Xavier Roth and Julie Desbordes. It has toured and performed at the Philharmonie de Paris in collaboration with Maîtrise de Radio France, as well as at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in Kuala Lumpur with the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra in concert.

In Singapore, the Children's Choir has an active performing calendar. It has sung at the Istana, shared the stage with critically acclaimed The King’s Singers, and presented at the 33rd ASEAN Summit. The choir actively commissions and performs works by Darius Lim, Zechariah Goh, and Cultural Medallion winner Kelly Tang, amongst many others.

Wong Lai Foon Choirmaster Gabriel Hoe rehearsal pianist

SSO CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISING

SINGAPORE SYMPHONY CHORUSES

N u r t u r e y o u r b r i l l i a n c e , b e i n s p i r e d b y p a s s i o n a n d c e l e b r a t e t h e b e s t o f c h o r a l e x c e l l e n c e

The Choruses SINGAPORE

SYMPHONY CHORUS

SOPRANO

Janice Chee

Alexis Chen

Julie Demange Wodtke

Wendy Lim

Ng Beng Choo

Sarah Santhana Lian Kim Selby

ALTO

Grace Angel

Chan Mei Yoke

Chng Xin Bei Kelly Cooke

Friederike Herrmann

Truly Hutapea

Susan Kurniawati

Dorothy Lee-Teh Lin Wei

Stacey Wang Espera Sarah Tang

Sachiko Tomimori Gladys Torrado Yeo Mui

Jean-Michel Bardin

Chong Wei Sheng

Sharon Low Shoumin Low Daisy Natalia Natividad Solaguren Ena Su Ratna Sutantio Elsie Tan Tan Seow Yen Wang Jiunwen

BASS

Samuel Pažický

Rac Roldan

Ian Tan

Joerg Ayrle Arthur Davis John Goh Andy Jatmiko Joseph Kennedy Paul Kitamura Wong Hin Yan

SSO CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISING

SOPRANO

Anne-Sophie Cazaubon

Goh Chen Xi

Hana Kasai

Laura Lee

Janice Lim Ivanna Pasaribu

Desiree Seng

Samyukta Sounderamann

Tiffany Tam

Carine Tan Tan Yuqing Naddy Teo Jasmine Towndrow Raeanne Wong

ALTO

Chan Li Ting

Elizabeth Goh

Trinetra Kumarasan Zachary Lim Trixi Lim Kerris Loh Ong Sherlyn Tan Yulin Amelia Yeo Zhang Jingqi

TENOR

Andre Ang Cris Bautro

Alfonso Cortez Tan Hee

BASS

Bryan Carmichael Loy Sheng Rui Joshua Tan Dominic Tang Wong Zhen Wei Zhang Xidong

SINGAPORE SYMPHONY CHILDREN'S CHOIR

Riyan Ballesteros-Pattanayak

Lisa Chang

Myrna Chantarapaparp Johnston Kendra Cheah Halyn Cho Dylan Francis Megan Fung Colleen Fung Emily Hia Charlotte Ho Abigail Ho Isabelle Ho Rachael Jong

Emma Lee-Goh

Melina Leong Zoe Li

Liu Felix Lu Huaiyao Lu Kaixuan

Megan Montefrio Violet Ong Jing Fei Pang Suri Rao Evangeline Sim Navya Singh

Angeline Sun Emily Tan Tan Caewyn Aricia Te Germaine Teo Zhang Yixuan Chloe Zhou

As a broad-based grantmaking organisation, Tote Board works closely with stakeholders and partners to support broad and diverse worthy projects in the sectors of Arts & Culture, Community Development, Education, Health, Social Service and Sports. Through these projects, Tote Board helps to uplift the community by giving hope to vulnerable groups and improving the lives of all in Singapore. ToteBoardSG

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’s goal is to help build a flourishing society. We want to inspire positive change and contribute towards building an inclusive, resilient and vibrant community, while fostering a caring and compassionate nation.

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The Orchestra

HANS GRAF

Music Director

RODOLFO BARRÁEZ

Associate Conductor

CHOO HOEY

Conductor Emeritus

LAN SHUI

Conductor Laureate

EUDENICE PALARUAN

Choral Director

WONG LAI FOON

Choirmaster

FIRST VIOLIN

(Position vacant) Concertmaster, GK Goh Chair Kong Zhao Hui1

Associate Concertmaster Chan Yoong-Han2 Fixed Chair Cao Can* Chen Da Wei Duan Yu Ling Foo Say Ming Jin Li Kong Xianlong Cindy Lee Karen Tan William Tan Wei Zhe Ye Lin* Zhang Si Jing*

SECOND VIOLIN

Tseng Chieh-An Principal Michael Loh Associate Principal Nikolai Koval* Sayuri Kuru Hai-Won Kwok Chikako Sasaki* Margit Saur Shao Tao Tao Wu Man Yun* Xu Jueyi* Yeo Teow Meng Yin Shu Zhan* Zhao Tian*

VIOLA

Manchin Zhang Principal Guan Qi Associate Principal Gu Bing Jie* Fixed Chair Hyunjae Bae Joyce Huang Marietta Ku Luo Biao Julia Park Shui Bing Janice Tsai Dandan Wang Yang Shi Li

CELLO

Ng Pei-Sian Principal, The HEAD Foundation Chair Yu Jing Associate Principal Guo Hao Fixed Chair Chan Wei Shing Jamshid Saydikarimov Song Woon Teng Wang Yan Wu Dai Dai Zhao Yu Er

DOUBLE BASS

Yang Zheng Yi Associate Principal Karen Yeo Fixed Chair Olga Alexandrova Jacek Mirucki Guennadi Mouzyka Wang Xu

FLUTE

Jin Ta Principal, Stephen Riady Chair

Evgueni Brokmiller Associate Principal

Roberto Alvarez Miao Shanshan

PICCOLO

Roberto Alvarez Assistant Principal

OBOE

Rachel Walker Principal

Pan Yun Associate Principal Carolyn Hollier

Elaine Yeo

COR ANGLAIS

Elaine Yeo Associate Principal

CLARINET

Ma Yue Principal

Li Xin Associate Principal Liu Yoko Tang Xiao Ping

BASS CLARINET

Tang Xiao Ping Assistant Principal BASSOON

Liu Chang Associate Principal Christoph Wichert Zhao Ying Xue

CONTRABASSOON

Zhao Ying Xue Assistant Principal

HORN

Gao Jian Associate Principal

Jamie Hersch Associate Principal Marc-Antoine Robillard Associate Principal Hoang Van Hoc

TRUMPET

Jon Paul Dante Principal David Smith Associate Principal Lau Wen Rong

TROMBONE

Allen Meek Principal Damian Patti Associate Principal Samuel Armstrong

BASS TROMBONE

Wang Wei Assistant Principal

TUBA Tomoki Natsume Principal

TIMPANI Christian Schiøler Principal

PERCUSSION

Jonathan Fox Principal Mark Suter Associate Principal Mario Choo Lim Meng Keh HARP

Gulnara Mashurova Principal

With deep appreciation to the Rin Collection for their generous loan of string instruments.

Kong Zhao Hui performs on a J.B. Guadagnini of Milan, c. 1750, donated by the National Arts Council, Singapore, with the support of Far East Organization and Lee Foundation.

Chan Yoong-Han performs on a David Tecchler, Fecit Roma An. D. 1700, courtesy of Mr G K Goh. Musicians listed alphabetically by family name rotate their seats on a per programme basis.

Guest Musicians

BASSOON

Aw Yong Tian HARPSICHORD Nicholas Loh

All concerts are held at the Victoria Concert Hall with the exception of 'The Tales of Yu Jing' that will be held at the Victoria Concert Hall Dance Studio

Intimate Moments Series Supported by

Supported by Patron Sponsor

Organ Series Sponsored by

Thomas Clausen Trio

Sun 8 Jan, 4pm

Time Remembered –Bill Evans

CHAMBER

ORGAN

CHRISTMAS CONCERTO (1721) by Pietro Locatelli (1695–1764)

I II III IV V VI

Largo - Grave Vivace Grave Largo Andante Andante Pastorale (Andante)

The “Christmas Concerto” is a well-known genre from the Baroque period (approximately 1600 – 1750), and many composers of the time wrote one. They take the form of a concerto grosso, (meaning “great” or “big concerto”) where a group of soloists – rather than a single one – is accompanied by the orchestra. Pietro Locatelli’s set of 12 Concerti Grossi, Op. 1 were published 300 years ago in 1721, modelled along the lines of his older compatriot, Arcangelo Corelli’s Concerti

Grossi, Op. 6. In each set, No. 8 is designed as a Christmas-themed concerto with several movements, ending with a gentle, rustic Pastorale intended to evoke the shepherds around the baby Christ.

Instrumentation harpsichord, strings

ANDANTE–ALLEGRO

FROM ORGAN CONCERTO IN B-FLAT MAJOR, OP. 4 NO. 6 by George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)

England’s most famous Baroque composer, Handel, published two sets of organ concerti in his lifetime. He often composed at the organ keyboard in the opera theatres where his productions were staged. Indeed, he was praised for his ability at the organ and he served as cathedral organist at Halle in 1702. Intended to be performed as instrumental interludes with him on the organ during intervals in performances of his oratorios, these concerti were the first to be composed in their genre and served as models for later organ concerti by other composers.

Instrumentation 2 oboes, bassoon, harpsichord, strings

WINTER – LARGO FOR SOLO ORGAN

by Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741) arr. Jonathan Scott

No survey of Baroque music for the Christmas season is complete without mentioning the ravishing Largo from Winter in Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Vivaldi’s vivid painting of the harsh winter is here tempered – one imagines sitting in front of a warm fireplace with the logs crackling, perhaps nursing a soothing mug of hot mulled wine, while the raindrops fall gently outside. Did Vivaldi ever imagine his music would still be played nearly three hundred years after? Probably not, but we are certainly glad it is.

Instrumentation solo organ

EXCERPTS FROM CHRISTMAS CONCERTO (1690) by Arcangelo Corelli (1653–1713)

I II III

Corelli’s set of 12 Concerti Grossi, Op. 6 was one of those publications that were to set off a trend – that of the concerto grosso, a concerto for ensemble, where instead of featuring a single soloist, all the instruments in the group get a chance to show off. No. 8 from the set of Op. 6, his Christmas Concerto, is widely considered the great grandpa of this genre. Alternating fast and slow movements, the work does not intend to paint a picture but rather set a mood of anxious expectation – appropriate as it was likely performed on Christmas Eve.

Instrumentation harpsichord, strings

JAUCHZET, FROHLOCKET! FROM CHRISTMAS ORATORIO (1733)

by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)

Modular furniture is a collection of furniture pieces that can be used as standalone pieces or combined and arranged to form a larger group, depending on specific needs. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio BWV 248 is essentially modular furniture music, as it consists of six separate standalone cantatas, each intended for performance on major feast days during the 12-day Christmas season from Christmas on 25th December to Epiphany on 6th January.

The celebratory Jauchzet, frohlocket! is the opening chorus of the first of the six cantatas, premiered on Christmas Day 1734 during the morning service at the St. Nicholas Church and repeated in the afternoon at the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, where Bach was kantor (cantor, or music master).

Instrumentation

2 oboes, bassoon, timpani, harpsichord, organ, strings

Jauchzet, frohlocket! auf, preiset die Tage, Rühmet, was heute der Höchste getan! Lasset das Zagen, verbannet die Klage, Stimmet voll Jauchzen und Fröhlichkeit an!

Dienet dem Höchsten mit herrlichen Chören, Laßt uns den Namen des Herrschers verehren!

CANON by Johann Pachelbel (1653–1706) arr. Khachatur Khachatryan

Pachelbel’s Canon is a work that needs no introduction. During his life, Pachelbel was a well-known German composer for organ and keyboard, writing church choral and chamber music. A canon is a type of composition whereby a melody is repeated by a different voice or instrument in the group after a certain delay, giving rise to layers of the same tune heard at different times. Pachelbel demonstrated this to beautiful effect. His Canon was almost entirely unknown until it was recorded by Jean-François Paillard’s chamber orchestra

Rejoice, exult! Rise up, glorify the day, Praise what the Highest has done today! Hesitate not, banish lamentation, Join in with rejoicing and merriment! Serve the Highest with glorious choirs, Let us honour the name of our ruler!

in 1968, and has remained popular ever since, making appearances in pop culture and media, and of course, weddings.

Tonight’s arrangement by Singapore-based Romanian composer-cellist Khachatur Khachatryan is based on this classic recording.

Instrumentation harpsichord, organ, strings

EXCERPTS FROM MESSIAH (1741)

by George Frideric Handel

--

Sinfonia Chorus: For Unto Us A Child Is Born

Pastorale

Hallelujah Chorus

Handel’s Messiah is arguably the most popular vocal/choral work from the Baroque era, a beloved masterpiece, a staple of the concert hall and Christmas time. Drawing from his experience as a composer of Italian opera, Handel brought the form of the oratorio to new heights. While many of his oratorios dealt with sacred subjects, the genre is more theatre than church music, meant as artistic entertainment for the concert hall. Vocal soloists and choirs are accompanied by orchestra – just like an opera – but the action is not intended to be staged. Uniquely, Handel’s oratorios were written and sung in English, which has certainly contributed to its lasting appeal today. His wonderful writing for chorus is a testament to his ingenuity with the English

For Unto Us A Child Is Born

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Hallelujah Chorus

Hallelujah! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. The Kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever. King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah!

language, with music by turns luscious and magnificent.

Written in 24 days in 1741, Messiah was first performed at a fundraising concert in Dublin on 13 April 1742, to an audience of 700 – the largest audience then ever assembled for a musical performance in Ireland.

Programme notes by Edward C. Yong/Leon Chia

Instrumentation

2 oboes, bassoon, timpani, harpsichord, organ, strings

Tan Yuting (b. 1993)

Singaporean composer Tan Yuting writes music which explores the interaction of different sounds to form unique harmonies and textures. Her music has been recognised with awards including First Prize in the Macht Orchestral Composition Competition (2018), First Prize in the Virginia Carty DeLillo Composition Competition (2018), and Third Prize in the Prix d’Été Competition (2017) at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, and has been performed in Singapore, USA, UK, Thailand, New Zealand, and Italy.

Past collaborations include performances by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, American Composers Orchestra, Peabody Symphony Orchestra, Megalopolis Saxophone Orchestra, National Sawdust Ensemble, Tacet(i) Ensemble, Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, Ensemble Dal Niente, The Opera People, K⼝U, Quince Ensemble, Empyrean Ensemble, ~Nois, Alarm Will Sound, Now Hear This, Unassisted Fold, and Ensemble Soundinitiative. Recent commissions include four set pieces for the National Piano and Violin Competition 2021 in Singapore and a piece for the Megalopolis Saxophone Orchestra as their Composer-inResidence.

Yuting also enjoys working with artists from other fields and creating music in collaboration with other art forms. In 2019, she performed her original live score for the USA premiere screening of Chinese film pioneer Zhu Shouju’s 1925 film “Stormy Night” (Fengyu zhi ye). Yuting is currently pursuing a PhD in Music Composition at the University of Chicago on a full fellowship from the Division of the Humanities.

A NIGHT OF CAROLS

(2022) by Tan Yuting (b. 1993)

A Night of Carols is a medley of carols expressing the hope, peace, love, and joy of Christmas. Featuring favourites such as O Holy Night, Angels We Have Heard On High, Silent Night, Deck the Halls, and Joy to the World, this medley depicts the night-time nativity scene and the joyous festivities of the Christmas season.

Programme note by the composer, Tan Yuting

O Holy Night

Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth; Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘Til he appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees, oh hear the angels’ voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born. O night divine! O night, oh night divine.

The First Noel

Instrumentation

2 oboes, 2 bassoons, timpani, organ, strings

The First Noel the Angels did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, On a cold winter’s night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star Shining in the East beyond them far, And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel!

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King! Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.”

Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies, With angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!”

Angels We Have Heard On High

Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains. Gloria, in excelsis Deo, Gloria, in excelsis Deo.

Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be, Which inspire your heavenly song? Gloria, in excelsis Deo, Gloria, in excelsis Deo.

Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing, Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Gloria, in excelsis Deo.

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright. Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child. Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night. Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar. Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia, Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

God rest ye merry gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay!

Remember Christ our Saviour Was born on Christmas Day, To save us all from Satan’s pow’r When we were gone astray.

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy!

In Bethlehem, in Jury, This blessed Babe was born, And laid within a manger Upon this blessed morn, The which His Mother Mary Did nothing take in scorn.

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy!

Deck the Halls

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Falalalala, lalalala!

‘Tis the season to be jolly, Falalalala, lalalala!

Don we now our gay apparel, Falalalala, lalalala!

Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Falalalala, lalalala!

See the blazing yule before us, Falalalala, lalalala!

Strike the harp and join the chorus, Falalalala, lalalala!

Follow me in merry measure, Falalalala, lalalala!

While I tell of Yuletide treasure,

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Good tidings we bring to you and your kin; Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Oh, bring us some figgy pudding, And a cup of good cheer!

We won’t go until we get some, So bring some out here!

Good tidings we bring to you and your kin; Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Joy to the World

Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let Earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven, and Heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the world! The Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

SSO SUPPORTERS

A Standing Ovation

TO OUR DONOR PATRONS

We would like to express our deepest appreciation to the following individuals and organisations who support our mission to create memorable shared experiences with music in the past year.

Without your support, it would be impossible for the SSO to continue to strive for artistic excellence and touch the hearts of audiences.

PATRON SPONSOR

Tote Board Group (Tote Board, Singapore Pools & Singapore Turf Club)

MAESTRO CIRCLE

SYMPHONY CIRCLE

In Memory of SH Chng Prof Arnoud De Meyer Dr & Mrs Antoine & Christina Firmenich Foundation Of Rotary Clubs (Singapore) Ltd Rod Hyland Lee Foundation The Santosa Family The Tanoto Family

PEI-SIAN PRINCIPAL CELLO

NG

CONCERTO CIRCLE

Dennis Au & Geraldine Choong

Bloomberg Singapore Pte Ltd

Cara & Tamara Chang

Chua Khee Chin Jerry Chang

Embassy of France in Singapore Far East Organization

OVERTURE PATRONS

Cavazos Tinajero Family

Prof Cham Tao Soon

Alan Chan

Prof Chan Heng Chee

Dr & Mrs Choy Khai Meng

Christopher Fussner

Dr Geh Min

Vanessa & Darren Iloste

JCCI Singapore Foundation

Lee Li-Ming

Leong Wai Leng Lian Huat Group

Michael Lien Mavis Lim Geck Chin

SERENADE PATRONS

Bryan Carmichael

Creative Eateries Pte Ltd

DBS Mr & Mrs Dorian Goh

Goh Sze Wei

Ho Bee Foundation

Steven & Liwen Holmes

Katherine Kennedy-White

Leong Wah Kheong

Suzanne Lim Chin Ping

Dr Adrian Mondry msm-productions

Holywell Foundation Devika & Sanjiv Misra Geoffrey & Ai Ai Wong Yong Ying-I Dr Thomas Zuellig & Mary Zuellig Anonymous (1)

Prof & Mrs Lim Seh Chun

Liu Chee Ming

Marina Bay Sands Kai Nargolwala NSL Ltd

Dr Eddy Ooi Pavilion Capital Priscylla Shaw

Prof Gralf & Silvia Sieghold Tan Meng Cheng Ivan Tantallon Capital Advisors Pte Ltd Wong Hong Ching David Zemans & Catherine Poyen Anonymous (3) nTan Corporate Advisory Pte Ltd PropertyGuru Group David Ramli

Robin & Katie Rawlings

Sembcorp Energy For Good Fund Tibor Szabady

Tan Seow Yen Rhys Thompson & Zara Dang

United Overseas Bank Ltd Andrew & Stephanie Vigar Anonymous (5)

RHAPSODY PATRONS

Jocelyn Aw Lito & Kim Camacho

Cham Gee Len

Bobby Chin

Evelyn Chin

Mr & Mrs Choo Chiau Beng

Adrian Chua Tsen Leong

KC Chuang

Mr & Mrs Winston Hauw

Khoo Boon Hui

Kris Foundation

Sajith Kumar

Winston & Valerie Kwek

Viktor & Sonja Leendertz

Er Stephen Leong Charmaine Lim

PRELUDE PATRONS

Marcelo Viccario Achoa

Aloha Dental Pte Ltd

Ang Jian Zhong

Ang Seow Long

Kaiyan Asplund & Family

Dr Taige Cao

Chan Ah Khim

Vivian P J Chandran

Chang Chee Pey Yuna Chang

Jeanie Cheah

Cynthia Chee

Dr Jonathan Chee

Cheng Eng Aun Cheng Wei

Peter Chew

Dr Faith Chia

Anthony Chng

Pamela Chong

Tiffany Choong & Shang Thong Kai

Chor Siew Chun Lenny Christina

Jonathan A Chu

Clarence Chua

Dr Darren Lim

Junko & Stuart Liventals

Prof Tamas Makany & Julie Schiller

Joshua Margolis & Chong Eun Baik

Meng

Esmé Parish & Martin Edwards

Ian & Freda Rickword

Charles Robertson

Ron & Janet Stride

Gillian & Daniel Tan

Aileen Tang Anthony Tay Jinny Wong

Wicky Wong

Anonymous (8)

Jennie Chua

Sally Chy

Pierre Colignon

DCP

Dong Yingqiu

Jeremy Ee

Fergus Evans

Jamie Lloyd Evans

Elizabeth Fong

John & Pauline Foo

Paul Foo

Gan Yit Koon

Goh Chiu Gak

Cynthia Goh Goh Geok Ling

Mrs Goh Keng Hoong

Michael Goh

Goh Shin Ping Chiraporn

Vivien Goh

Guo Zhenru

Jerry Gwee

Richard Hartung

Dr Guy J P Hentsch

Ichiro Hirao

Ho Jin Yong

Mr & Mrs Simon Ip

The Kauffman-Yeoh Family

Ernest Khoo

Khor Cheng Kian

Belinda Koh Yuh Ling

Helen Koh

Terri Koh

In Memory of Timothy Kok Tse En Colin Lang

Mr & Mrs Winson Lay

Joshen Lee

Kristen Lee Lee Mun Ping

Dr Norman Lee

Dr Lee Suan Yew

Douglas Leong

Wendy Leong Marnyi

Li Danqi

Dr Bettina Lieske

Liew Wei Li

Edith & Sean Lim

Candice Ling

Firenze Loh

Low Boon Hon

Low Hong Kuan

Alwyn Loy Benjamin Ma

Andre Maniam

Megan, Raeanne & Gwyneth

Francoise Mei

Ng Wan Ching & Wong Meng Leong

Ngiam Shih Chun

Joy Ochiai

Monique Ong

Audrey Phua

Preetha Pillai

Robert Khan & Co Pte Ltd

Danai Sae-Han

Yuri Sayawaki

Bumke Scheer Family

Thierry Schrimpf

Peter Seah Omar Slim

Soh Leng Wan

Casey Tan Khai Hee

Celine Tan

Tan Cheng Guan

Dr Tan Chin Nam

Dr Giles Ming Yee Tan

Gordon HL Tan

Joanne Tan

Tan Lian Yok

Tan Pei Jie

Prof Tan Ser Kiat

Tan Yee Deng

Tang See Chim Tee Linda

David Teng

Jessie Thng

Mario Van der Meulen

Manju & Arudra Vangal

Amanda Walujo

Nicole Wang Remes

Wong Yan Lei Grace

Jennifer S Wu

Wu Peihui

Valerie Wu Peichan

Ivan Yeo

Yong Seow Kin

The Sohn Yong Family

Yasmin Zahid

Zhang Zheng

Anonymous (35)

This list reflects donations that were made from 1 Oct 2021 to 30 Sep 2022. We would like to express our sincere thanks to donors whose names were inadvertently left out at print time.

The Singapore Symphony Group is a charity and a not-for-profit organisation.

Singapore tax-payers may qualify for 250% tax deduction for donations made.

You can support us by donating at www.sso.org.sg/donate or www.giving.sg/sso.

CORPORATE PATRONAGE

Form a special relationship with Singapore’s national orchestra and increase your name recognition among an influential and growing audience. Our concerts provide impressive entertainment and significant branding opportunities.

SSO Corporate Patrons enjoy attractive tax benefits, Patron of the Arts nominations, acknowledgements in key publicity channels, complimentary tickets, and invitations to exclusive SSO events. For more

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & COMMITTEES

CHAIR

Goh Yew Lin

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Yong Ying-I (Deputy Chair)

Chang Chee Pey

Chng Hak-Peng

Chng Kai Fong

Prof Arnoud De Meyer Warren Fernandez

Liew Wei Li

Sanjiv Misra

Lynette Pang

Prof Qin Li-Wei

Geoffrey Wong

Yee Chen Fah Andrew Yeo Khirn Hin Yasmin Zahid

NOMINATING AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Goh Yew Lin (Chair)

Prof Arnoud De Meyer (Treasurer)

Geoffrey Wong

Yong Ying-I

HUMAN RESOURCES

COMMITTEE

Yong Ying-I (Chair)

Chng Kai Fong

Prof Arnoud De Meyer

Heinrich Grafe

Doris Sohmen-Pao

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE

Geoffrey Wong (Chair)

Sanjiv Misra

David Goh Alex Lee

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Yee Chen Fah (Chair) Warren Fernandez Lim Mei Jovi Seet

SNYO COMMITTEE

Liew Wei Li (Chair)

Prof Qin Li-Wei Benjamin Goh Vivien Goh Dr Kee Kirk Chin Clara Lim-Tan

SSO MUSICIANS’ COMMITTEE

Mario Choo

Guo Hao

David Smith

Wang Xu Christoph Wichert

Elaine Yeo

Zhao Tian

SSO COUNCIL

Alan Chan (Chair)

Odile Benjamin Prof Chan Heng Chee

Choo Chiau Beng Dr Geh Min Heinrich Grafe Khoo Boon Hui

Lim Mei

JY Pillay Dr Stephen Riady Priscylla Shaw

Prof Gralf Sieghold Andreas Sohmen-Pao

Prof Bernard Tan Dr Tan Chin Nam

Tan Choo Leng Tan Soo Nan Wee Ee Cheong

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

ARTISTIC PLANNING

IMPACT

Mr & Mrs

Goh Yew Lin

Official Radio Station

Official Outdoor Media Par tner Official Community Par tner

Riady Group of Foundations

Official Airline

The mission of the Singapore Symphony Group is to create memorable shared experiences with music. Through the SSO and its affiliated per forming groups, we spread the love for music, nur ture talent and enrich our diverse communities. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra is a charity and not-for-profit organisation. You can suppor t us by donating at www.sso.org.sg/donate.

Stephen