The world became a sadder place a fortnight ago when Typhoon Haiyan swept through the central islands of the Philippines, wreaking havoc and leaving tens of thousands of lost lives and lots more homeless in its wake.
A benefit concert by Filipino pianist Albert Tiu and Friends was held on Thursday 21 November 2013 at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, with all proceeds going to the Singapore Red Cross Society in aid of the relief fund. The well-attended concert was supported by the Kris Foundation and the Conservatory, and featured a Who's Who of music-making in Singapore.
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| The concert opened with Zuo Jun (Violin) and Ng Pei Sian (Cello) playing the Handel-Halvorsen Passacaglia. |
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| Duo pianists Lori Kaufman and Albert Tiu poured their heart out in Piazzolla's Oblivion. |
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| Albert Tiu in two solo Liszt transcriptions of Schubert songs. Der Müller un der Bach and Liebesbotschaft. |
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| Young Filipino composer Joshua Pangilinan addressing the audience before the performance of his composition Kabihasnan. The Tagalog word refers to "civilisation" or "people". |
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| Kabihasnan is a quiet and reflective work filled with bell sounds and echoes, performed with feeling by Achittapol Tinnarat (Flute), Xie Tian (Cello), Naoto Segawa (Percussion) and Zyrene Estallo (Piano). |
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| Zuo Jun and Albert Tiu tugged on the heart-strings with Dvorak's Songs My Mother Taught Me. |
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| Ng Pei Sian joined in with Saint-Saëns's The Swan. |
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| The longest piece of the evening was Eugene Ysaye's Poéme Elegiaque, a heartrendingly beautiful work performed by Qian Zhou and Bernard Lanskey. |
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| Philippines Ambassador to Singapore Ms Minda Calaguian-Cruz gave a short speech to thank the organisers, performers, friends and supporters of the Benefit Concert. |
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| The evening closed with two Piazzolla tangos, Oblivion and Death of the Angel, transcribed by Albert Tiu for piano and quartet. Here he is partnered by the T'ang Quartet. |
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| It was a touching and moving evening of sublime music which brought on not a few tears from those who attended, Music can help make the world a better place. |
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| The Filipino community in Singapore with Albert Tiu's family and friends. |
Thank you, Albert Tiu and Friends.
You can make a difference by donating to help our stricken brothers and sisters in the Philippines.
Please make your cheques out to:
Singapore Red Cross Society
Please include "Haiyan Benefit" on the back of the cheque and your personal particulars.
All photos by the kind permission of Albert Tiu and Friends, and the Kris Foundation.
All photos by the kind permission of Albert Tiu and Friends, and the Kris Foundation.
