Singapore, 2 July 2024 (Tuesday) – The Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra (SNYCO) and the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) will present their annual joint concert “Legacy II” on July 27, 2024 (Saturday) at 7:30 PM at the SCO Concert Hall, showcasing the boundless possibilities of music and the cross-generational transmission of culture.

Concert Overview

Under the baton of SCO Principal Conductor and SNYCO’s Music Director Quek Ling Kiong, together with guest conductor Lien Boon Hua, this concert not only marks the final performance of this orchestra concert season before the recruitment of new members in August, but it also serves as a platform where mentors and students take centre stage together, exemplifying the spirit of “passing the torch” from one generation to the next. Through exploring various repertoires, SNYCO and SCO continuously innovate while preserving the rich heritage of Chinese orchestral music.

Programme Highlights

The concert will feature two major ensemble pieces: The Celestia Web and Waves, Towards The Lands We Call Home. The Celestia Web, with poetry by Tan Swie Hian and composed by Law Wai Lun, blends orchestral performance, choral singing, and narration into a profound musical expression of the philosophies found in the Avatamsaka Sutra. Waves, Towards The Lands We Call Home, a global symphonic poem by local composer Sulwyn Lok, will world premiere at “Legacy II” concert. Inspired by the “Gentle waves over the South Seas” silk scroll given by Emperor Guang Xu to Thian Hock Keng Temple, the composition is influenced by the historical journeys of Chinese immigrants seeking peace and new beginnings in turbulent times. Drawing on these immigration stories, Sulwyn Lok composed this symphony to express the universal longing for peace and to affirm a profound commitment to it. The symphony blends musical styles from various cultures and eras, demonstrating how music can transcend cultural and racial boundaries. Sulwyn Lok shared, “I hope this work provides a space for all to reflect on the world’s needless conflicts and to come together in hope for peace and harmony.”

Also, Legacy II concert will spotlight concerto solos by two outstanding young talents from SNYCO, accompanied by the SCO. SNYCO Erhu I Associate Principal, Li Yichen will perform the erhu concerto The Sun Shines on Tashkurghan with SCO, a piece composed by Chen Gang and rearranged by Phoon Yew Tien, a piece that enhances traditional erhu melodies with a rich orchestral accompaniment. Zhongruan musician Chong Shao Yih will present The River Runs Red composed by Lin Jiliang and orchestrated by Zhou Yuguo, which draws on the ancient tune to depict the heroic figure of Yue Fei, inspiring a sense of patriotism among the audience.

SNYCO Music Director Quek Ling Kiong shared: “‘Legacy II’ is more than just a concert; it is a platform for cultural preservation and showcasing young talents. We hope this collaborative concert with SCO will inspire the new generation of Chinese orchestral music and lead audiences to experience a fresh era of this art form. ‘Legacy II’ will feature a selection of exceptional classics and contemporary pieces infused with a unique Singaporean character, allowing all music lovers to witness the seamless fusion of traditional charm and modern sophistication in Chinese orchestral music.”

Join us for the “Legacy II” concert, a riveting evening of music that celebrates the mentorship between established maestros and emerging talents

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Ticket purchase Link: https://bit.ly/3wTGdvC

Ticket price（not inclusive of SISTIC fee）: $22

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