VCH Presents The Philharmonic Orchestra presents Beethoven's Symphonies No. 1 & 9

THE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PRESENTS BEETHOVEN’S SYMPHONIES NO. 1 & 9 15 October 2017 Victoria Concert Hall

CELLISSO 22 October 2017, 4pm

UPCOMING EVENTS

LA VOIX HUMAINE 12 May 2018, 7.30pm 13 May 2018, 4pm

GOLD 50: THE KING’S SINGERS 23 February 2018, 7.30pm

THE KING’S SINGERS WITH THE SINGAPORE SYMPHONY CHILDREN’S CHOIR 24 February 2018, 7.30pm

THE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PRESENTS BEETHOVEN’S SYMPHONIES NO. 1 & 9 Lim Yau, conductor Lin Ching-Ju, soprano Angela Cortez, mezzo-soprano Lin Chien-Chi, tenor William Lim, bass The Philharmonic Orchestra The Philharmonic Chamber Choir NAFA Chamber Choir

Ludwig van Beethoven

Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21 25’00 I. Adagio molto – Allegro con brio II. Andante cantabile con moto III. Menuetto. Allegro molto e vivace IV. Finale. Adagio – Allegro molto e vivace

INTERMISSION 20’00

Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 65’00

I. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso

II. Scherzo: Molto vivace - Presto

III. Adagio molto e cantabile

IV. Presto; Allegro molto assai (Alla marcia); Andante maestoso; Allegro energico, sempre ben marcato

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

Scan the QR code in the foyer to view a copy.

L IM YA U music director and conductor

Lim Yau’s status as Singapore’s preeminent conductor is underpinned by a distinguished and enduring career. In addition to a long association with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra since its founding, Lim Yau’s work in choral music, opera, ballet, and contemporary music remains unparalleled.

He is a Cultural Medallion recipient and in 2011 was conferred the COMPASS Lifetime Achievement Award. As opera and ballet conductor, Lim Yau remains Singapore’s most prolific conductor of the genre, having conducted more than 20 opera and ballet productions with the Singapore Lyric Opera, Singapore Dance Theatre, among others.

Testament to his dedication to new music is an impressive record of performances under his direction. In addition to giving Singaporean premieres of works by James Macmillan, Tan Dun, John Adams and John Corigliano, Lim Yau remains the only conductor to have premiered works by every major Singaporean composer, most notably the first Singaporean opera Bunga Mawar by the late Leong Yoon Pin. Currently Dean of Music at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Lim Yau is devoted to the nurturing and development of young musicians.

L IN C HING -J U soprano

Lin Ching-Ju is a world-renowned Taiwanese soprano. She graduated from the prestigious University of Vienna for Music and Performing Arts, and had been under the guidance of Jen-Hwa Chai, Yu-Wen Fang, Ralf Doring and Frank Fannig. She is well-versed with many performances and regularly performs in opera houses and concert halls.

She has made numerous performances with the most outstanding orchestras in Taiwan, such as the National Symphony Orchestra, Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra and National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra.

Worldwide, she has held performances in Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Romania, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and South Africa.

Lin Ching-Ju’s signature roles include Gretel in Hänsel and Gretel, Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, Agathe in Der freischütz, Mimi in La Bohème, Violette in La Traviata, Marie in Wozzeck, Tatiana in Eugeniusz Oniegin, CioCioSan in Madama Butterfly, Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, Konstanze in Die Entführung aus dem Serail, as well as soprano solo for Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 in G major.

Being a professional singer has always been Ching-Ju’s dream, and she is grateful to be given the opportunity to share her dream with everyone.

A NG E L A C OR T E Z mezzo-soprano

Lauded for her “clear and firm yet supple” voice, Filipina singer Angela Cortez is an active performer in Singapore and the Southeast Asian region, and has also performed in concerts in Europe, Taiwan, and the United States. Her recent operatic roles include Calisto in Offenbach’s Daphnis et Chloe (2016), Denise in Offenbach’s Le Mariage aux Lanternes (2016), Hansel in Humperdinck’s Hänsel and Gretel (2015), and the Doll in Bellepoque’s Musical Fables and George and the Music Box (2015).

She has also performed concerts and tours as soloist with the ADDO Chamber Orchestra, International Chamber Festival Orchestra and Hallelujah Oratorio Society, and the NAFA Wind and Jazz Ensembles. She was also the First Prize Winner of the 2015 NAFA Voice Competition, was a Finalist at the 2013 Tan Ngiang Kaw/Tan Ngiang Ann Memorial Vocal Competition, and a scholarship recipient at the Academie Francis Poulenc (2015) and the New York Summer Music Festival (2011). Her repertoire covers many genres, ranging from Mozart to Gershwin, demonstrating her versatility as a performer. She has also worked with local Singaporean composers such as Robert Casteels and Joyce Koh, showcasing her musicality in more contemporary works.

After completing her Royal College of Music-NAFA Bachelors of Music Degree under the tutelage of Jessica Chen, Angela now serves as a Voice and Piano teacher under Aureus Academy.

L IN C HIE N - C HI tenor

An aboriginal (Amis) tenor born in Hualien, Lin Chien-Chi has appeared in operas including Il barbiere di Siviglia, L’italiana in Algeri, La Sonnambula, L’sola disabitata, Don Giovanni, Die Zauberflöte, Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Die Fledermaus, Die lustige Witwe, Sapho, La Traviata, La bohème, Die Rosenkavalier, Salome, and Der Ring des Nibelungen.

His performance highlights include Die lustige Witwe with the Tainan National University of the Arts, conducted by Chien Wen-Bin, and New Year concerts with the National Symphony Orchestra (Taiwan), conducted by Lü Shao-Chia in the 2012/13 season. In the opera productions of the 2013/14 season with the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra conducted by Shui Lan, he sang the role of Shu-Shien in Madam White Snake, a Pulitzer Prizewinning opera by Zhou Long. Performing with the Counterpoint Ensemble, Lin also sang the role of Bunya Koh in Lee Tzyy-Sheng’s modern chamber opera Bunya Koh and his Two Wives; this work was nominated for the Taishin Arts Award.

Chien-Chi is endowed with a mellow and intense voice. In addition to mastering opera repertoire, he also demonstrates a great variety of vocal styles, and holds an annual art-song recital, continuing to promote the art of vocal music.

Chien-Chi was awarded the Special Prize at the Hans Gabor Balvedere International Singing Competition in Wiener; the Silver Prize at the Chinese International Vocal Competition; the 19th and 20th Chimei Arts Award; and the New Artist Award from the Association of Vocal Artists of R.O.C. in 2000.

W IL L I A M L IM baritone

Born in Singapore, William Lim studied under Choo Hwee Lim in Singapore, Michael Rippon in The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and Rudolf Pierney in The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He was awarded the Silver Rose Award at the Rosa Ponselle International Voice Competition, New York.

William Lim has sung in such operas as Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Bizet’s Carmen, Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, Verdi’s La Traviata, Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, J. Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus, Sucharitkul’s Mae Naak, Weill’s Street Scenes, Jin Xiang’s Savage Land, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Mozart’s Requiem, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion and B Minor Mass, all these in collaboration with The Singapore Lyric Opera, The Philharmonic Chamber Choir, The Sing Song Club, The Hong Kong Oratorio Society, The Penang Art’s Council and The Bangkok Opera.

Most recently, William sang in Puccini’s Turandot for the Singapore Lyric Opera and the Bass solo in Rossini’s Stabat Mater for Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.

Photo Credit: Andrew Bi Photography

T HE P HIL H A R MONIC OR C HE S T R A The Philharmonic Orchestra (Singapore), formerly the Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra is a project initiated by Lim Yau in 1998. The orchestra comprises of young adults who are committed to the study and performance of seminal orchestral literature.

With Lim Yau at the helm, TPO distinguishes itself as an orchestra that delves deeply and whole-heartedly into the composers that shape the evolution of the western symphony. It has received critical acclaim for performances of the symphonies of Beethoven (complete symphonies in 2003), Schumann (complete symphonies in 2004), Brahms (complete symphonies in 2013), Haydn, Schubert, Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich; in its 2008 season TPO became the first Singaporean orchestra to perform the complete Sibelius symphonies.

2012 marked another milestone when TPO was joined by acclaimed pianist Lim Yan in performing the complete piano concertos by Beethoven, the first in Singapore to feature a Singaporean pianist.

In bringing its music to a wider audience, TPO works frequently with actors and presenters to explore orchestral repertoire through theatrical elements to create accessible concert formats for new audiences. This include its Papa Haydn and You series, narrated performances of Stravinsky’s 100 Years Later series (Firebird in 2010 and Petrushka in 2011), as well as a staged production of Stravinsky’s Soldier’s Tale (2009) in collaboration with Esplanade’s Spectrum series. Its composer-feature concerts sees actor William Ledbetter elucidate biographical, historical and musical discoveries of the great works such as Debussy’s La Mer (Debussy Tonight! 2014), Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra (Bartok Tonight! 2015) and Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony (Tchaikovksy Tonight! 2016).

A crowning highlight in its community outreach is TPO’s 2013 collaboration with contemporary dance group The ARTS FISSION Company and Esplanade Theatres by the Bay, presenting The Rite of Spring: A People’s Stravinsky, a ground-breaking production which engaged the creative energies of community senior citizens and youth volunteers in a multidisciplinary presentation of Stravinsky’s seminal work. The same creative team reprised its collaboration in its SG50 celebration The Mazu Chronicle, performing works by pioneer generation Singaporean composers in a symphonic dance-theatre production, telling stories of Singapore’s maritime pioneers, whilst featuring community performers from Singapore’s pioneer generation.

In recent years TPO has presented its annual New Year’s Eve Countdown Concerts. Returning for its seventh edition in December 2017, this sell-out concert series continues to be a cherished fixture in the Singapore concert calendar.

Born from its early activities as a pit orchestra, TPO has been the collaborative orchestra of choice accompanying over 15 productions by the Singapore Dance Theatre and Singapore Lyric Opera between 1999 and 2008. On the invitation of Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, TPO has also accompanied Richard Einhorn’s Voices of Light (music set to the 1928 silent film, Joan of Arc), and other artistes such as K.D. Lang, Omara Portuondo, Aska (of Chage and Aska), David Foster and Andrea Bocelli.

Celebrating its 15th anniversary in its 2017 season, TPO comes full circle with a fresh rediscovery of the complete Beethoven symphonies, 14 years after its first cycle.

The Philharmonic Orchestra Musicians List Lim Yau, conductor

First Violin Chan Yoong-Han* Lim Shue Churn^ Albert Phang Amanda Chan Amanda Tse Margaret Teng Seow Jiaxian Sum Yuan Liang Xu Hongyun Second Violin Cindy Lee^ Andrew Fung Chia Jit Min Chua Jia Min, Charmayn Hong Yaw Chang Kristi Tan Rosalind Tan Victoria Sok Meng Man Viola Janice Tsai^ Chay Choong Chu Tzy Ren Daniel Heng Karis Ong Tomoko Kakegawa

Cello James Ng Wen Liang^ Eunice Koh Kenneth Lee Yi Xuan Lin Juan Sharon Ham Tan Xiao Rong Double Bass Chee Jun Hong+ Benjamin Goh Yao Dun Yeo Zeng Ying Flute Tan Kian Joo Shirley Tong Piccolo Alvin Chan Keng Huat Oboe Leow Rui Qing Jasper Goh Clarinet Cheng Yee Ki Benjamin Wong Bassoon Tan Kuo Cheang Lin Yang Jun

Horn Christopher Shen Bryan Chong Marcus Kwek Lewis Lim Trumpet Amir Hasif Tan Han Yong Trombone William Yee Bi Tao Ng Joon Hoe Timpani Wang Shan Sng Yiang Shan Percussion Randy Tan Thomas Ong Jia Yong Wang Shan

* Guest Concertmaster ^ Guest Player + Section Leader

T HE P HIL H A R MONIC C H A MB E R C HOIR Formed by Lim Yau, its Artistic Director, The Philharmonic Chamber Choir (TPCC) has excelled in giving voice to the great traditions of Western classical music: both a cappella, as well as large works for choir and orchestra. It has equally made its mark in performing the Asian a cappella repertoire.

TPCC has worked with noted choral conductors including Manfred Schreier, Stephen Cleobury, Francisco Feliciano, Joseph Flummerfelt, Robert Hollingworth, Chifuru Matsubara, Peter Phillips, Johannes Prinz, Gregory Rose, and Nobuaki Tanaka. It was awarded the First Prize in the Mixed Choir Category at the 19th Béla Bartok International Choral Competition in 2000. In 2002, TPCC was invited to perform at the 1st Performing Arts Festival in Tokyo alongside the Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus, Asia’s oldest professional chamber choir.

Significant past collaborations with other arts groups and organisations include a recording of Zhou Long’s The Future of Fire (BIS record label, 2003), Anton Bruckner’s Mass No. 3 and Arvo Pärt’s Te Deum (2016) — both with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Chorus; Concert of Celebration (2010) with YTL Corporation; and The Mazu Chronicle — 妈祖航志 (2015) with Arts Fission and The Philharmonic Orchestra.

In recognition of its Asian musical heritage, TPCC’s signature all-Asian a cappella concert series explores the wealth of the contemporary Asian choral repertoire. Its most recent edition — Timeless Skies (2017) — featured the world premiere of Yang Guan San Die (阳关 三叠) by Singapore composer Zechariah Goh. In March 2018, TPCC will present a concert of Modernist choral works — including the Singapore premiere of New Zealand composer Janet Jennings’ Magnificat From a Garden in the Antipodes: a new commission with the support of Creative New Zealand.

The Philharmonic Chamber Choir Musicians List Lim Yau, artistic director Wong Lai Foon, assistant conductor

Soprano Aurelie Girard Chua Yi Fang Joy Ang Yap Shing Min

Tenor Chan Kum Kit Hor Xinrong Kerryn Chan Shui Jiangtian

Alto Azura Farid Boey Yoke Ping Friederike Herrmann Ng Sheh Feng Tan Jingyi ThamPei Wen Truly Hutapea Winnie Tsin Wong Lai Foon

Bass Alexandre Chojnowski Bruce Lim Matthew Brown Nicholas Loh

N A FA C H A MB E R C HOIR Established in 1984, the NAFA School of Music aims to provide a portfolio of music courses, which are both relevant to the Singaporean music performance and education scene, and also attractive to talented international students. NAFA is the only education institution in Singapore that offers diploma and degree programmes for both Chinese and Western music instrumentalists; the Bachelor of Music (Honours) is offered in collaboration with the Royal College of Music, London (RCM) and supported by the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing.

Over 200 diploma and degree students are supported by a distinguished international faculty. In addition to weekly public performances on campus, our student soloists, ensembles and orchestra can be heard regularly at performances in Singapore.

The NAFA School of Music endeavours to continue enriching and nurturing talents; supporting local musicians, their performances and works; and providing artistic outreach and inspiration to members of the community from all walks of life.

NAFA Chamber Choir Musicians List Lim Yau, conductor

Soprano Angie Neo Anna Yeow Calligenia Tenggara Celeste Marie J. Chen Yue Ching Si Min Danielle Ong Eunice Ng Fei Xiaowen Fu Jinxia Germaine Teh Iola Kanin Jesselyne Onggie Jonelle Lim Kang Kat Ying Li Shan Shan Liang Xin Yu Lim Ying Yi Liu Feier Liu Gelin Liu Qingqing Loh Yi Ning Lu Hanfei Melva Tanoto Nur Diyanah Amani Peh Delin Phoebe Chee Renata A. K. Shen Anqi Sim Wei Ying Sofia Bte Samri Song Yujie Sunshine Ong

Tan Cher Hui Tan Jeng Suan Tan Zhi Shin Varence Lie Verena W. Vivienne Tan Zhuang Yating Alto Abigail Lee Betty Chong Charlotte Chong Chelsy Ng Chen Lianyi Evelyn Zainal Felisia Graziella Jasmine Jennifer D. Tan Jiang Qingyi Kendis Poh Lee Lin Hwa Lee Yu Ying Li Meini Lianna Amelia Lim Nicole Lee Marlene Toh Ng Sin Yee Ng Sze Ling Phee Lily Sarah Goh Song Jiayang Stefani Teo Xin Yin Tsai Gin-Tzu

Yeo Xing Tong Yeo Zhe Qi Zasmin Zhu Yiyue Tenor Li Zehao Hansen Jalleh Reginald Jonathan Mark Joshua Ler Kee Chun Kiat Low Jinhong Soh Wei Qi Tan Yan Sze Wu Di Bass Bantoc Breyann Chong Shi Yong Chung Ee Yong David Tao Dean Fu Elias Chew Ernest Lui Goh Jun Hui Goi Ywei Chern Lau Jing Lun Michael Ong Muhd Raimi Randy Tan Tew Jing Jong Wu Fei Xiang Zhengyi

L IB R E T TO – B E E T HOV E N: S Y MP HON Y NO. 9 Baritone O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!

Sondern lasst uns angenehmere anstimmen, und freudenvollere.

O friends, not these sounds!

Rather let us sing more pleasing songs, full of joy.

Baritone and Chorus Freude, schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, wir betreten feuertrunken, Himmlische, dein Heiligtum, Deine Zauber binden wieder was die Mode streng geteilt; alle Menschen werden Brüder wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.

Joy, brilliant spark of the gods, daughter of Elysium, drunk with fire, we enter, Divinity, your sacred shrine.

Your magic again unites all that custom harshly tore apart; all men become brothers beneath your gentle hovering wing.

Quartet and Chorus Wem der grosse Wurf gelungen, eines Freundes Freund zu sein, wer ein holdes Weib errungen, mische seine Jubel ein!

Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele sein nennt auf dem Erdenrund!

Und wer’s nie gekonnt, der stehle weinend sich aus diesem Bund!

Whoever has won in that great gamble of being friend to a friend, whoever has won a gracious wife, let him join in our rejoicing!

Yes, even if there is only one other soul he can call his own on the whole earth!

And he who never accomplished this, let him steal away weeping from this company!

Freude trinken alle Wesen an den Brüsten der Natur, alle Guten, alle Bösen folgen ihre Rosenspur.

Küsse gab sie uns und Reben, einen Freund, geprüft im Tod; Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben, und der Cherub steht vor Gott!

All creatures drink of joy at Nature’s breast, All men, good and evil, follow her rose-strewn path.

Kisses she gave us and vines, a friend, faithful to death; desire was even given to the worm, and the cherub stands before God!

Tenor and Chorus Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen durch des Himmels prächt’gen Plan, laufet, Brüder, eure Bahn, freudig wie ein Held zum Siegen.

Joyously, just as His suns fly through the splendid arena of heaven, run, brothers, your course gladly, like a hero to victory

Chorus Freude, schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, wir betreten feuertrunken, Himmlische, dein Heiligtum.

Deine Zauber binden wieder was die Mode streng geteilt; alle Menschen werden Brüder wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.

Joy, brilliant spark of the gods, daughter of Elysium, drunk with fire, we enter, Divinity, your sacred shrine.

Your magic again unites all that custom harshly tore apart; all men become brothers beneath your gentle hovering wing.

Seid umschlungen, Millionen!

Diesen Kuss der ganzen Welt!

Brüder, überm Sternenzelt muss ein lieber Vater wohnen.

Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen?

Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt?

Such’ ihn überm Sternenzelt! Über Sternen muss er wohnen.

Be embraced, ye millions!

This kiss is for the entire world!

Brothers, above the canopy of stars surely a loving Father dwells.

Do you bow down, ye millions?

Do you sense the Creator, World?

Seek Him above the canopy of stars!

Above the stars must He dwell.

Freude, schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, wir betreten feuertrunken, Himmlische, dein Heiligtum.

Joy, brilliant spark of the gods, daughter of Elysium, drunk with fire, we enter, Divinity, your sacred shrine.

Seid umschlungen, Millionen!

Diesen Kuss der ganzen Welt!

Be embraced, ye millions!

This kiss is for the entire world!

Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen?

Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt?

Such’ ihn überm Sternenzelt!

Brüder! Brüder! Überm Sternenzelt muss ein lieber Vater wohnen.

Do you bow down, ye millions?

Do you sense the Creator, World?

Seek Him above the canopy of stars!

Brothers! Brothers!

Above the canopy of stars surely a loving Father dwells.

Quartet and Chorus Freude, Tochter aus Elysium, deine Zauber binden wieder was die Mode streng geteilt; alle Menschen werden Brüder wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.

Joy, daughter of Elysium, Your magic again unites all that custom harshly tore apart; all men become brothers beneath your gentle hovering wing.

Seid umschlungen, Millionen!

Diesen Kuss der ganzen Welt!

Brüder, überm Sternenzelt muss ein lieber Vater wohnen.

Be embraced, ye millions!

This kiss is for the entire world!

Brothers, above the canopy of stars surely a loving Father dwells.

Freude, schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium!

Joy, brilliant spark of the gods, daughter of Elysium!

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