City Chinese Orchestra

Web Composer:
Wong Chin Loon
E-mail:
chinloon@pacific.net.sg
Updated:
28 Jun 1997
Feedback, comments
and suggestions
are welcomed.

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.