Temasek Foundation SSO Hans Graf Inaugural Concert – Sneak Preview for Students

S IN G A P OR E S Y MP H O N Y ORC HE S T R A

Temasek Foundation SSO

Hans Graf

Inaugural Concert Sneak Preview for Students 27 JUL 2022 Esplanade Concert Hall

Presented by

Programme

Singapore Symphony Orchestra Hans Graf music director Chloe Chua artist-in-residence/violin*

MOZART Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K. 219 “Turkish” * R. STRAUSS Don Juan, Op. 20

17 mins

Duration: approximately 1 hour (without intermission)

31 mins

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. The SSO is led by Music Director Hans Graf.

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, culminating in its 3rd place win in the prestigious Gramophone Orchestra of the Year Award 2021.

The SSO makes its performing home at the 1,800-seat state-of-the-art Esplanade Concert Hall. More intimate works and 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. Through the beauty of classical music, we aim to touch the hearts and lives of everyone, regardless of age, culture or background.

Don Juan Determined and confident, Don Juan sets out on a conquest seeking his heart’s desires.

Love

Themes from

As different ladies appear in his life, Don Juan is entranced and begins courting them.

Turmoil Don Juan soon realises that his fickle ways have caused hurt and trouble.

m Don Juan He tires of the relentless and fruitless chase.

Reflecting on how things have not worked out, Don Juan eventually sinks into despair.

Despair

Meet the Conductor Our conductor tonight is Hans Graf, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s new Music Director. Maestro Graf is not new to Singapore audiences however, having been our Chief Conductor since 2020. He has tirelessly led the SSO during the pandemic, keeping classical music alive in Singapore, while working with violinist Chloe Chua to record all of Mozart’s Violin Concertos.

Maestro Graf was formerly Music Director of the Houston Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Basque National Orchestra and the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, as well as being a frequent guest conductor with major orchestras around the world.

Maestro Graf was born near Linz, Austria in 1949 and is Professor Emeritus for Orchestral Conducting at the Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg, birth city of Mozart.

For his services to music, he was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre de la Légion d’Honneur by the French government, and the Grand Decoration of Honour of the Republic of Austria.

What is one advice that has stuck with you?

When performing, transmit your love of music to your listeners.

If you were to learn an instrument originating from Asia, what would it be?

The Sitar, a plucked string instrument from India.

If you weren’t a conductor, what would you be?

A librarian, linguist, … retiree.

Meet the Soloist Chloe Chua, sometimes called “Prof Chloe”, “Chloe-sensei” or “Chloe Shifu”, and believed by many to be the real Ling Ling, shot to stardom when she won a joint 1st Prize at the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin International Competition in 2018. She has also won 1st Prize (Junior category) at the Singapore National & Violin Competition in 2017, among other awards. She is 15 in 2022, so do your math. Chloe’s amazing musicality has captured the hearts of audiences around the world - including that of TwoSet Violin.

The Singapore Symphony Orchestra named Chloe as its Artist-In-Residence for the 2022/23 season, where she will perform in several concerts and projects. Look out for upcoming SSO albums featuring Chloe in The Four Seasons and the complete Mozart Violin Concertos together with Music Director Hans Graf.

Chloe plays a Gaudagnini violin from Piacenza, Italy, made in the early 1740s (yes, do your math again), on generous loan from the Rin Collection.

Describe the Mozart Violin Concerto using some hashtags. #TeenageMozart #AMajorViolinConcerto What are you currently listening to?

Schubert’s Impromptus, Chopin’s Etudes for Piano, and Yaosobi’s Race into the Night.

If you were to learn another instrument, what would it be?

Other than the violin, I can play the piano.

But I would love to be able to sing!