Transformation 三月天 ⠂化
NUS Chinese Orchestra
Sun 29 Mar | 5pm | UCC Hall
Public $28 | Students and Friends of CFA $15 & $25 (a pair)
Postponed to a later date
In an increasingly interconnected world and with the ever-growing pace of globalisation, the culture and heritage of different parts of the world becomes increasingly diluted. Compounded with the growing influence of social media, it becomes increasingly difficult for individuals to maintain their distinct identity in this world.
Featuring repertoire with a contemporary take on the distinct cultures and irreplaceable heritages of the world, Transformation present the swift evolution of Chinese orchestra music from folk tunes to one that is increasingly versatile and dynamic, mirroring how modern generations of Chinese people must see themselves.
Written in 2010 for an extended Chinese orchestra featuring the percussion section, Dragon Soaring in the East 龙跃东方is a modern take on the theme of traditional folk tune, Jasmine Flower. From the land of Mongolia, composer Xin Huguang recounts the tale of Gada Meiren, a Mongolian leader who led an uprising to fight for his land and his nation’s freedom, in the symphonic poem style of Gada Meiren Symphony 嘎达梅林交响诗. Macau Capriccio 澳门随想曲 celebrates Macau’s distinct culture of East and West, featuring both Portuguese and Chinese culture in the piece.
Also featuring soloist Ong Weida on the Singapore premiere of Yangqin Concerto No.1 – Pan Gu 第一扬琴协奏曲–盘古by Chinese composer Zhang Zhao, and Zhongruan Soloist, Chan Feng Lin on the third movement of Reminiscences of Yunnan 云南回忆by Liu Xing.
Profiles
Hailed by The Straits Times as an “excellent young conductor”, Moses Gay’s first foray into conducting began at the precocious age of 15 when he earned great praise from renowned Chinese conductor Ku Lap Man. Since then, he has developed into an outstanding musician, graduating with First Class Honours from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and obtaining a Master’s Degree in Orchestral Conducting from the China Conservatory of Music, both on full scholarship. In 2014, he was granted tenure as Assistant Conductor of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO), Singapore’s only professional Chinese Orchestra where he continues to grow as a conductor.
Throughout the course of his study, Moses was privileged to learn from eminent conductors such as Roberto Paternostro, Martin Sieghart, Vance George, Mark Gibson, Leon Gregorian, Wolfgang Doerner and Marc Trautmann in various masterclasses and as their assistant, received positive appraisals from all. In 2011, he was mentored by Alexander Polischuk at the Saint Petersburg State Conservatory in Russia and throughout his postgraduate course, received tutelage from Professor Youqing Yang and Tsung Yeh (Music Director of SCO)
Moses’ conducting experience extends beyond Chinese orchestral music. In 2015, he was invited to collaborate with the Orchestre Régional de Cannes in France and in 2017 he conducted the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra and the South Czech Philharmonic in the Czech Republic and the Berlin Sinfonietta in Germany.
As an erhu performer, Moses was invited to Rennes, France to perform the Red Plum Capriccio Concerto with the Orchestre Symphonique de Bretagne and to helm a workshop in erhu performance at the Institut Confucius de Bretagne. He has also had the privilege of receiving guidance from famed erhu doyenne Min Hui Fen and erhu master Zhang Shao. Moses owes his musical journey to Zhang Yu Ming, to whom he expresses his heartfelt gratitude.
From its inception in 1973, the NUS Chinese Orchestra (NUSCO) has grown to become a prominent youth Chinese orchestra in the local music scene. With over 100 musicians including undergraduate and postgraduate students, NUSCO provides its members with the opportunity to pursue their passion in music, exposing them to a varied repertoire from both local and international composers.
NUSCO seeks to develop a lifelong appreciation of Chinese orchestral music amongst members through a holistic curriculum that cultivates a growth mindset within them. NUSCO thus regularly takes on the challenge of performing both traditional and contemporary pieces that can change perceptions of the art form with both members and audiences alike. Such technically-demanding works include The Great Wall Capriccio, The Ballad of Lan Hua Hua, and most recently, Symphonic Poem: Battle of the Red Cliff.
By raising the relevance Chinese orchestral music, NUSCO hopes to inspire other youth orchestras in Singapore to contribute to the sustainability of the art form. Together with Music Director Moses Gay and the tutelage of professional instructors, the Orchestra aims to explore a myriad of creative performances to achieve its goals.
