Consumed and wracked by the ravages of tuberculosis, Frédéric Chopin overcame his frail health and fear of mortality with great music of ultimate passion. This special concert brings together some of Singapore’s most exceptional young musical talents.
FESTIVAL PICKS
About the Artist
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Loke Hoe Kit
Cellist
Described by The Straits Times as 'probably the most visible local cellist to emerge [from his generation]', Hoe Kit, 25, started playing the cello at age 12. By 16, under the tutelage of Herminia Ilano, he made his concerto debut and was accepted into the class of esteemed cellist Nathaniel Rosen, a protégé of Gregor Piatigorsky, in the USA. There, Hoe Kit studied at the Mannes College of Music, New York City, and the Southern Methodist University, Dallas. His other principal teacher was Paul Tobias, also a Piatigorsky protégé. In 2005, Hoe Kit was a finalist and the top cellist at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's 4th Lynn Harrell Concerto Competition.
Hoe Kit has since returned to give sold out recitals at the Esplanade and The Arts House, receiving laudatory reviews. At 23, he released his debut solo album A Double Life, which was featured as CD of the Week on Symphony 92.4FM. Recently, he performed Lalo's Cello Concerto under Russian conductor Mark Kadin (Krasnoyarsk Symphony Orchestra), and was invited to be guest principal cellist of the Saigon Philharmonic Orchestra, Vietnam.
Jonathan Shin
Pianist
Jonathan has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician and has won top prizes in the 2009 (3rd), 2005 (2nd) and 2003 (3rd) National Piano Competitions of Singapore. In 2008 he clinched 3rd prize in the Young Pianists Division of the 18th Ibiza International Piano Competition (Spain).
As winner of the coveted President's Young Performers Concert, Jonathan performed as a soloist with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. He became the youngest musician at 18 years old to win the 1st prize in the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YSTCM)’s 2010 Piano Concerto Competition. Jonathan is completing his final year of his Bachelor of Music (Piano Performance) at YSTCM where he studies with Professor Thomas Hecht.
Song Ziliang
Pianist
Described in The Straits Times as ‘grandly good’ following his Singaporean debut in 2010, Ziliang graduated from the Royal College of Music, London with a Masters of Music in Performance (Distinction) under the tutelage of Gordon Fergus-Thompson. He has also studied at the Moscow Conservatory with Mikhail Petukhov. His studies in Russia and UK were sponsored by the Trailblazer Foundation.
Ziliang has won prizes and diplomas at national and international competitions including the 2001 National Piano and Violin Competition, Singapore (3rd Prize) and IX Nikolai Rubinstein International Piano Competition, Paris (3rd Prize).
As a soloist, Ziliang has performed at venues including the V & A Museum, Moscow Conservatory, National Museum Singapore, Esplanade and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. To bring music to the wider community, Ziliang performs in hospitals, community centres and schools as part of outreach. He has also given charity performances where proceeds were donated to various causes such as community shelters and education.
Victor Yeh Shih Hsien
Pianist
The 1st prize winner and “Best Sonata” award in KeriKeri International Piano Competition in New Zealand, pianist Victor Yeh is currently a 4rd year student in Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in Singapore under full scholarship with Professor Albert Tiu.
He has also won 1st prize for the Singapore National Competition (Artist Category) in 2011, 2nd Prize for Kawaii Piano Competition in Taiwan, and 3rd prize for the Taiwan National chamber competition, among others. He was also selected to participate in the 67th Geneva International Piano Competition last November.
Victor has performed widely in Singapore, Taiwan, Spain and Paris and has performed in the master classes of eminent world-class pianists and teachers such as Jerome Lowenthal, Phillipe Entremont, Christopher Elton, Ann Schein, YongHi Moon, Solomon Mikowsky, Akiko Abi, Tamas Ungar, N.Delle-Vigne, Jeremy Denk, and Aquiles Delle Vigne.