
City Chinese Orchestra
Web Composer:
Wong Chin Loon
E-mail:
chinloon@pacific.net.sg
Updated:
28 Jun 1997
Feedback, comments
and suggestions
are welcomed.
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Review on NUS Chinese Orchestra Concert 23 Feb 1997
The concert of
NUS Chinese
Orchestra on
Sunday, 23 Feb
1997, at the
Singapore
Victoria Concert
Hall (VCH) was
an enjoyable one.
Not only I get to
hear the old
favourites of the
Chinese Music, I
also met some old
friends. Yes, we
all love Chinese
Music, which have
enthusiastically
involved us in the
art of performing
on stage. The
Chinese Music
climate is well
developed in
Singapore over the years, and there are frequent Chinese Music
Concerts in VCH. However, the market for Chinese Music is
restricted only to those who are involved in the art of performing or
those who are in one way or another related to Chinese Music
Enthusiasts (their friends or relatives). Because of the numerous
Chinese Orchestras in Singapore, you sell tickets to none other
than the members of the Chinese Music Community. So, watching a
concert becomes a social activity for us, the members of the
community to get together and socialise. And that is why, concerts
after concerts were held and there were always concerts!
The NUS Concert involved a number of soloists, they were Zhang
Chuhe, the Suonaist; Lin Feiyan, the Yangqinist; Yan Yaoming, the
Dizist; Wu Xihui, the Percussionist; Wang Baozhen, the Liuqinist;
and Li Simin, the Erhuist. They displayed good courage in
performing as soloists on stage, and it is one of the valuable
occasions where their skill in the art of performing are being put to
assessment. The Maiden Mo Chou - A Fantasia, a beautifully
structured piece of Erhu Concerto, was meticulously played by Li
Simin. He displayed good skill in his bowing and fingering on the
Erhu. The notes were sharp and clear, and the echoes of the tone of
Erhu were effectively controlled. However, though the soloist had
played every notes to high meticulousness, the feelings embedded
in the Concerto is not fully depicted. Maybe it is the lack of
understanding to the story of Maiden Mo Chou, or may be it is due
to lack of experience. Of course, I am talking about perfection in
Music, which I admit humbly that I understand not much. We must
not forget that we are all amateurs, and such standard of performing
does deserve high praise.
Zhang Chuhe is my teacher. Not that he taught me how to play
Suona, he is one of the Music Enthusiast who had inspired me to
what I am today. He played the Harvest Celebration on his Suona,
and in contrast to Li Simin, who is very much younger than him, he
showed capability for great emotion for his music, however his skill
had not matched his ideals. I believe that, as amateur, he had
limited time for practising his Suona, and I seriously believe that he
can do better if he had practised more. Not that he had performed
badly that day, his ideas of chasing after the ideals has made me
believe that he can show us through his Suona, what is the real
Music! But, I was, to be frank, a bit disappointed. Maybe someday,
he will prove his potential somehow.
My friend, Chuanling, did a solo part in the Drum and Orchestra,
Dance of the Dragons and Tigers. I sincerely congratulate her for
her courage and success in enlivening the rhythm of the song.
Thanks to Chuhe also, her teacher. You never know where your
potential is until you put them to test on stage. I was impressed
indeed when I saw Chuanling lead the rhythm, as she oscillated her
head with the tempo of the Music.
That’s all that I have to say about the Concert. My review
represents my opinions and I hope that by writing them out, it helps
me in shaping my thoughts and also inspires us to commit more in
the development of the Chinese Music Community, both internally
and externally.
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