MCI (P) No. 085/11/2019 Newsletter of the SSO Community Outreach Department
SSO.ORG.SG
Sep-Dec 2020
SSO
CONTENTS Cover Story Beethoven 250
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Fun Facts Home Recordings
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Fun & Games Which is Beethoven?
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Getting To Know You Schumann Quartet
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Local Spotlight Singapore National Youth Orchestra
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Ask Auntie Melody
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Music Jokes
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SSOPlayOn!
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EDITORIAL TEAM Senior Manager, Programmes: Kua Li Leng Editors & Coordinators: Samantha Lim, Vanessa Lee Contributors: Lynnette Chng, Tan Sing Yee 2
Cover Story
Beethoven 250
About Beethoven Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany in December 1770, making this year the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth. Musicians and orchestras around the world are celebrating this jubilee year with a blockbuster line-up of Beethoven-related performances and projects, under the umbrella of BTHVN250.
Beethoven sometimes signed off his scores as ‘Bthvn’ – omitting the vowels in his name. This is where the name ‘BTHVN250’ originated from.
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Cover Story
Beethoven 250 The Three Defining Periods Beethoven lived in both the classical and the romantic period, and is known as one of the pioneers of romanticism. The expressive compositions from the later period of his life set the tone for many Romantic period composers that followed. His works and life can be categorised into three defining periods:
EARLY PERIOD Style: • Composed mostly for the piano in solo or chamber settings • Closely followed the characteristics of the classical era with balance and structure, but explored new directions and dynamics Notable Works: • Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, “Pathétique” (1798) • String Quartet No. 3 in D major, Op. 18/3 (1800) • Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27/2, “Moonlight” (1801)
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1792
1802
Moving permanently to Vienna won him many patrons. He was known for his virtuosity and compositional prowess
Grew increasingly troubled by his failing hearing. The despair drove him to resolve to continue living for, and through art
MIDDLE PERIOD (”HEROIC PERIOD”) Style: • Colossal works that are dramatic, grand and powerful • Contained themes such as celebration, struggle and heroism Notable Works: • Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47, “Kreutzer” (1803) • Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53, “Waldstein” (1804) • Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55, “Eroica” (1804) • Fidelio, Op. 72 (1805) • Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73, “Emperor” (1811)
LATE PERIOD Style: • Expressive and passionate music that is contemplative in nature Notable Works: • Diabelli Variations, Op. 120 (1823) • Missa Solemnis in D major, Op. 123 (1823) • Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, “Choral” (1824)
RIP
1810
1827
As his ability to hear worsened, he became more depressed and isolated
Death at the age of 56
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Cover Story
Beethoven 250
Familiar Motifs Fate motif The opening of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 (1808) is instantly recognisable due to the dramatic and ominous fate motif, the ‘short-short-short-long’ pattern that is said to be symbolic of fate knocking on the door. Think of it like the ‘rat-tat-tat-tat’ sound when knocking on a door – only if you hear the music, you might be able to tell that it carries a sense of dread too!
2 4 DUN DUN DUN DUUUUN
3 quick quavers
Sustained long note
This motif has not only been used by Beethoven and can be found in other compositions such as the prelude to Bizet’s 1875 opera, Carmen. The similarly ominous motif is played by low instruments over the strings playing tremolo, foreshadowing a tragic ending to the opera about love and jealousy.
3 4 Listen to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra Listen out for the fate motif that appears in different ways throughout all four movements of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.
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Compare it with the Andante Moderato section of the prelude to Carmen starting from 02:25!
Ode to Joy Beethoven’s last symphony, Symphony No. 9 (1824), was the first symphony to include a choir! At 70 minutes long, this colossal and epic composition set the standards for symphonies to follow, especially those by Mahler and Bruckner.
There’s a superstition that a composer’s last symphony would be their ninth, as he or she would be fated to die during or after composing their ninth symphony. While a few composers like Mahler and Shostakovich completed more than nine symphonies, some like Beethoven and Dvořák only completed nine – proving the superstition right!
The most recognisable theme from this symphony is Ode to Joy from the fourth movement. The lyrics are based on an ode by German poet Friedrich Schiller, that celebrates mankind’s aspirations towards universal brotherhood. You might have heard it as the European anthem, used as protest anthems, or even learnt how to play it on the recorder in school!
Freu-de, schö-ner
Göt-ter – fun-ken, Toch-ter aud E ------ ly ----- si-um,
wir
feu–er–trun-ken, Himm-li-sche, dein Hei ----- lig-tum
be–tre–ten
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Fun Facts
Home Recordings Despite Circuit Breaker restrictions, 149 choristers from the Singapore Symphony Chorus, Youth and Children’s Choir, and musicians from the Singapore Symphony Orchestra continued to create music in a virtual choir project. Here’s a peek into how the choruses recorded and put together Dick Lee’s We Will Get There! 1. Arrangement of We Will Get There Music Arranger, Gabriel Hoe, who is also the Children’s Choir’s rehearsal pianist, re-arranged the original score of We Will Get There for choir, with multiple voice parts. Arrangers are typically not involved in the performance of their own pieces, but Gabriel performed his own piano arrangement for this project! 2. Creation of the playback track Playback tracks of piano and vocal accompaniments with “beeps” were created for musicians and choristers to listen to while recording, so that everyone’s singing and recordings would be synchronised! 3. Creation of a recording guide In order for the submitted videos to look cohesive, the video team and choral managers created a recording guide for choristers to adhere to while recording.
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4. Recording! The musicians and choristers had to get creative when recording themselves at home. Spot them singing from their beds, and using household objects such as books and step ladders to prop their cameras!
5. Video Editing After receiving everyone’s video and audio submissions, the sound engineers and video editors worked hard to piece everything together. Many rounds of editing and tidying up later, the final video was created!
Catch the full video of We Will Get There by the Singapore Symphony Choruses here!
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Fun & Games
Which is Beethoven? You might recognise Beethoven from some very distinct photos from his later years. But can you guess which of the following portraits are of the composer as a child?
1 0
4 0
5 0
6 0
Answer: 5 | Top (L-R): Prokofiev, Mozart, Debussy | Bottom (L-R): Mahler, Beethoven, Sibelius
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2 0
3 0
Let’s try with the same composers in their youth! Which is Beethoven?
1 0
4 0
2 0
5 0
3 0
Portrait by Marcel Baschet
6 0
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Answer: 4 | Top (L-R): Sibelius, Mahler, Mozart | Bottom (L-R): Beethoven, Prokofiev, Debussy
Getting To Know You
Schumann Quartet Often described as energetic and intense, the Schumann Quartet never fails to wow the audience with their stunning performances. During their 2019 to 2020 season, they performed for audiences in numerous countries. The quartet consists of brothers Mark, Ken and Erik Schumann, along with violist Liisa Randalu. We speak with violinist Ken Schumann to learn more about the quartet, and hear what he has to say about Beethoven in light of the composer’s 250th birthday!
How would you describe your musical style? Exciting and always with a lot of passion and intensity. It is Beethoven’s 250th birthday! What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of him? Revolution, freedom and the dream that humanity can live in peace together! What is your favourite Beethoven piece? It is impossible to choose. We love all of his works! At the moment I love to listen to his song cycle, An die ferne Geliebte (To the distant beloved), Op.98.
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If you could meet Beethoven in person, what is one thing you would say to him? Maestro, would you play something on the piano for me? I would be honoured to play some chamber music with you! What has been your most memorable performance to date? At a concert in Italy, our programme contained Anton Webern’s Five Movements for String Quartet. This piece is usually performed more than once during a concert. The second half of the concert was meant to begin with it, followed by a Verdi piece, which starts with my solo on the second violin. Usually the Webern piece would require a lot of energy and effort, so I was surprised that Liisa and Mark looked rather relaxed. It was only after Erik and I started playing that we realised that Liisa and Mark had forgotten about the Webern piece, and were waiting for my solo in the Verdi piece! I believe there are a lot of young musicians who look up to the quartet – what is one piece of advice you would like to give to all the budding musicians out there? Stay curious, work hard, and don’t forget to also enjoy your life!
Credits: Kaupo Kikkas
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Local Spotlight:
Singapore National Youth Orchestra Did you know that the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) is recognised by the Ministry of Education as a CCA? Our musicians, between 10 and 21 years old, come from over sixty schools across Singapore. They share a passion for music and come for weekly rehearsals* at the SNYO Studios housed in the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts campus. In addition to regular concert performances at the Esplanade Concert Hall and Victoria Concert Hall, our members also socialise over movie nights and pizza lunches.
Visit our website (www.snyo.org.sg) or write to us at snyo@sso.org.sg to find out more, or follow us on social media for regular updates and weekly games! www.snyo.org.sg
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snyo@sso.org.sg
snyo.sg
*Prior to the cancellation of rehearsals due to COVID-19
Our in-person activities may have been cancelled over the past few months, but that doesn’t stop us from coming together and making music!
SNYO hang out with Peter Stark, April 2020
Online playing session, May 2020
Principal Guest Conductor Peter Stark sharing some of his wisdom and valuable life lessons with our members during one of our first few hang out sessions!
Our string players from both SNYO and SNYS experimenting with making music online together, led by Associate Conductor Lin Juan.
SNYO hang out with Mario Choo, June 2020
Recording of Over the Rainbow, June 2020
SSO percussionist and SNYO alumnus, Mario Choo shared about his experiences as a professional percussionist – and his proud collection of handmade mallets!
Rehearsals and concerts may have been cancelled, but our members continued to make music from their homes! Check out our first virtual performance here.
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Ask Auntie Melody How do you understand operas if they are not sung in English? – Bella
Freude, schöner Götterfunken Joy, beautiful spark of Divinity
Dear Bella, If an opera is performed in a language that the audience may not understand, there is usually translations shown on a screen above or to the side of the stage. These are called surtitles and are used to ensure audiences can understand what is being sung. It is similar to when you watch a foreign language film and there are subtitles at the bottom of the screen! How do musicians perform chamber music when there is no conductor? – Yi Xin Dear Yi Xin, Chamber music is performed by a small group of musicians and usually without conductor, the musicians would have to take turns to lead at different times depending on the music. Because musicians use body language to communicate with each other while performing, they will be seated in a way where they are able to see all the other performers.
Email your burning questions about music to outreach@sso.org.sg
If your question is featured, you will win a gift. Winners will be notified by email.
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All questions are subject to editing for clarity.
Music Jokes
The ABCs of Music
A B C D E F G H I
J K
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SSOPlayOn! Since our concert halls have remained shut over the past few months, the SSO has released an array of recordings and digital programmes as part of its digital season, SSOPlayOn! That’s good news for you – more music from the comfort of your home. Here are our picks! For those still in the National Day mood
One People, One Nation, One Singapore – presented by SIFA x SSO
Count on Me, Singapore, featuring Benjamin Kheng
This unique arrangement of our beloved national tune features percussive sounds created by ‘instruments’ found at home such as bowls, crackers and even toys!
SSO musicians, alongside Singaporean musician and actor Benjamin Kheng, maintained social distancing while filming this music video.
For foodies and modern music lovers
Martinů’s la revue de cuisine (Kitchen Revue) This light-hearted ballet in one act by Czech composer Bohuslav Martinů with influences from jazz. The plot is absurb – kitchenware flirting and fighting with each other! 18
Emily Koh’s Jia[k] Local composer Emily Koh’s Jia[k] incorporates the different sounds associated with culinary experiences unique to Singapore – the ordered chaos at a hawker centre, and the garbled noises from chewing on a plate of food.
For explorers
NParks presents SSO City in Nature Concert
Classical Excursions: East to West
If you’ve missed picnicking while listening to music performed by the SSO, relive those times with this concert featuring past concerts at Singapore Botanic Gardens, and music accompanied by pictures of Singapore’s beautiful biodiversity and greenery.
This specially-curated Spotify playlist will transport you around the world, to places such as Turkey with Ippolitov-Ivanov’s Turkish Fragments, China with Chen Qi gang’s Wu Xing (The Five Elements) and Spain with Ludwig Minkus’ Don Quixote.
*only available on Facebook
*only available on Spotify
Find all these and more on our pages –
Singapore Symphony Orchestra!
Upcoming Events
SSCC Experience
President’s Young Performer Concert
For more details and updates to our events, check out sso.org.sg/whats-on!
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Joshua, age 3
Amber, age 3
Kai Yap, age 3
Annie, age 5
Our young audience and their artworks drawn after watching our first educational series, Musical Soundbites, presented by Jessica Gethin. Scan the QR Code to watch the series!
