CROSSINGS IN SOUND / National University of Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Review

 

CROSSINGS IN SOUND

National University of Singapore 

Symphony Orchestra

Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Concert Hall

Friday (6 February 2026)

This review was published in The Straits Times on 9 February 2026 with the title "NUSSO bridges divide between classical and pop in stirring fashion".

In the opening concert of the National University of Singapore Arts Festival 2026, the National University of Singapore Symphony Orchestra (NUSSO) conducted by Chan Tze Law presented a stirring programme that attempted to bridge the divide between classical music and popular forms.

Italian opera composer Gioachino Rossini’s Overture to La Gazza Ladra (The Thieving Magpie) is a “lollipop”, a work of lightness that early audiences could relate to as easily as popular music. Drum rolls opened the piece, which initially strided with martial pretension, before breaking loose to reveal its true comedic intentions.

Photo: NUS Office of Student Affairs, Centre for the Arts

The patented Rossinian crescendo that graces all his overtures was taken deliberately, building up to a head of steam before wrapping up in a joyous conclusion. If the orchestra had not fully warmed up, it did so in the Symphonic Dances from Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story, orchestrated by Sid Ramin and Irwin Kostal.

Without replicated the exact sequence of songs and dances in the famous musical, it brought together most of its choreographed music, melding Latin and Puerto Rican rhythms with contemporary jazzy idioms in a virtuosic orchestral showpiece. Adding further interest were snapping fingers, a police whistle, lusty shouts of “Mambo!” and a fugue scored in jazz style.

While winds, brass and percussion were having a field day, the strings finally came into their own in the final song Somewhere, shining with a silvery sheen as the suite drew to a quiet close.

NUS Office of Student Affairs, Centre for the Arts

The final work was Ludwig van Beethoven’s Triple Concerto in C major (Op.56), the only concerto for piano trio (violin, cello and piano) in the active concert repertoire. For many, it was a guilty pleasure, often considered Beethoven’s least serious concerto but also the most fun to listen to.

Equally important was witnessing university students partnering and supporting Yong Siew Toh Conservatory’s dons and alumnus as soloists in concert. Where amateurs could stand equally tall with seasoned professionals, it was an exchange or metaphorical crossing that was never thought possible until recent times.

Beethoven never wrote a cello concerto but this came closest to it with cellist Qin-Liwei getting the plum parts and leading the way in all three movements. With violinist David Loke and pianist Ning An joining the fray, this was a spirited romp from start to finish.

With the orchestra quiet for much of the central slow movement, the trio was allowed to express itself with a luminous song-like glow. The finale’s Rondo alla Polacca, so named for its vigorous polonaise rhythm, provided a send-off that was clearly enjoyed by all in attendance.

NUS Office of Student Affairs, Centre for the Arts

The soloists’ encore of violinist Loke’s Pre-Dawn At Harbour River (a world premiere) opened in G minor like some trio elegiaque by Rachmaninov. Then morphing into a Canto-pop-like rave before breaking off abruptly as if he had run out of ink, paper and time, it drew plenty of laughs from the audience. It was a Haydnesque way of saying, “Enough of it, that’s all folks!”

THE FIRST SIX CDS I BOUGHT OVERSEAS (LONDON)

The once mighty HMV flagship
on Oxford Street / Oxford Circus
which shrunk and shrunk until it disappeared.

The 1980s was a good time to buy CDs in Singapore. Although 1985 was when I started collecting, it was only in 1989 when I first went overseas in search of recordings which you read about in Gramophone but were otherwise unavailable here. The Polygram (Deutsche Grammophon, Decca and Philips), EMI and Columbia Masterworks (later Sony) labels were well served, readily available in local shops, but not the independent labels, so it was necessary to travel to get them. 

About the cheapest place to buy CDs
in London, according to Melvyn Tan.

London was the world's capital for CD buying, with major chain record stores (HMV, Tower Records, Virgin Megastore) and numerous independent retailers (Music Discount Centre, Harold Moores, Farringdon etc). There was practically nothing you could not find by hunting around, and numerous surprises would await to be discovered.

I actually bought CDs at Wigmore Hall!
They were simply ubiquitous, everywhere you see.

After completing my final professional exams (I passed eventually) in September 1989, I was let loose on London for the first time on my own, with travellers' cheques (remember them?) and credit card in tow. I went to town, literally speaking. The only downside was the Sterling Pound being something like 3.3 times stronger than the Singapore dollar (nowadays it's about half at 1.7 in exchange). So, every purchase was expensive, but rarity and desire trumped the exchange rate. 

Here are the first half dozen CDs which I bought in London in September-October 1989, and those were the days.   

Super-budget supermarket label,
retailing at GBP 2.99, even cheaper than Naxos.
Later found out the performance was by
William Boughton, not Sir Adrian Boult!

Bought at Wigmore Hall for GBP 11
at a Sunday morning concert.
Autographed by Leslie Howard.

Bought at Wigmore Hall at GBP 11
before a Domus concert.
Autographed by all four members of Domus.

A rarity from the now-defunct American
Arabesque label, GBP 11.99 at HMV Oxford Circus.
Later autographed by Ian Hobson.

A bargain at GBP 4.99 at HMV Oxford Circus.
Later autographed by Martin Jones.

A 2-CD box at GBP 19.99 in HMV Oxford Circus,
the most expensive item bought on this trip.
Autographed by Esa-Pekka Salonen after
a concert by The Philharmonia Orchestra.

Again, I happy to report that the CDs are still perfectly serviceable, providing me yet more hours of listening pleasure.

THE FIRST FIVE CDS I EVER BOUGHT

It is said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Thus, a collection of a thousand CDs begins with the first CD bought. I started my collection in late 1985 with just five CDs. Previously, I had collected vinyl LPs and before that, cassettes or tapes. Tapes proved to be unreliable, frequently subject to reels getting stuck or unraveled after multiple plays, or interminable tape squeak, and never lasted more than a few years. Vinyl is far more durable, but subject to surface noise from dust or static, and inevitable scratches. Plus, you have to turn a record over after hearing the first side.

Compact discs were supposed to be indestructible, having a lifetime guarantee, so I decided to listen to the very CDs which I had bought some 40 years ago. Could they still play, or have they corroded to the point of disrepair?

I bought my first five CDs at Sing Disc House at Lucky Plaza, having scouted all around Singapore a few months prior to see which record shop had the best range and most reasonable prices. Sing, then manned by Vincent Choo (husband of the wonderful and friendly Doris Tay who later ran the shop), was such a place, located at a quiet corner on the second floor and having good vibes. The CDs then cost $27, a ransom in those days, but still less than the $28 or $29 charged at other shops (Supreme Audio and Beethoven Record House).   

Selections were rather limited then but soon grew geometrically as record labels started to realise the seemingly endless potential of CD as a medium. My selections were made based on repertoire - popular works which I wanted to hear over and over, great artists, good sound as heard on the hi fi, as well as generous playing time. No way was I going to buy a CD that played for just 35 minutes!

So here are my first five CDs, and why I bought them:

My first piano concerto disc!
And it had to be Martha Argerich in two
popular concertos where she is next to peerless.
Later autographed by Charles Dutoit.

My first violin concerto disc!
Absolutely great value for money with
two great violin concertos which used
to occupy a single LP each.

My first orchestral disc!
Wanted to hear loud and scary music
blasted over the hi fi.

This one was an outlier, as I wanted to hear the great
piano romantic in three Liszt concertante works.
Malediction for piano and strings is still a rarity.
Later autographed by Ivan Fischer.

The only recording of Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit
that was available on disc then.
From Ravel's own student, I have yet to hear
a better Pavane pour une infante defunte.

I am happy to report that all five CDs can still play properly and without mishaps, despite some corrosion and occasional small holes in the silver plating. This afforded me over five hours of listening pleasure, and an invaluable walk down memory lane. Long live the CD!

MODERN ART ONE CAN RELATE TO: ROTAN RATTAN: MEDITATIONS @ ESPLANADE TUNNEL

Here is some modern art one can relate to. The Esplanade Tunnel's latest exhibit titled Rotan Rattan: Meditations by Yanyun Chen and Dave Lim is about a reminiscence of past times - corporal punishment meted to errant children or otherwise. People of a certain age will remember strict parents who keep their children (ie. us) in check by wielding the cane. 

The frayed end of a rattan,
which means it's been used more than once.

Spare the rod and spoil the child, they say. "This is for your own good." Taste the lash or you'll be on the road to perdition. "You'll thank me later on when you're older." We are not raising juvenile delinquents. "We love you, that is why you are getting this." Yet more cliches on child-rearing. "This is hurting me more than it hurts you." 

What pain can be dispensed
with the use of a hand.

I cannot remember how many times I got caned. Has it made me a better person? The last one from parents came at ten, after scoring 85/100 in a science test. The last one from teachers came at eleven, after spelling the night in "Saturday night" with a capital. You tend never to forget these things. You learn to be more kaisu. You become better at scoring marks, and more careful in spelling. And you learn to hate and resent. Are these at all positive traits?

On the other hand, I had a teacher from a so-called elite school in despair from being verbally abused by students. No use to complain to the Head of Department, nor the Principal, he said, for nothing gets done, and the students get more insolent, disrespectful and rebellious by the day. Now here's an opportunity where corporal punishment may have a positive effect, but counselling is, of course, more effective, so they say. Who's right in the end? Is the best yet to be? Also cannot say.

Famous sayings appear in wicker frames made from rattan, that very material that canes are crafted from. They look very nice, very homespun, but within these carry a message that will last a lifetime. Scars will heal, but the memory of pain and punishment lingers on.

"All because of you" / "Taste the cane".

"To bear the pain" / Whack
"Damn kids" / "No fear"

"To strike is to care" / "To scold is to love"
quoting Leong Yoon Pin

Untranslatable, the closest being
"Serves you right!"

Rotan Rattan: Meditations - Esplanade

Ends 8 March 2026. 

Come, or else...

SINGAPORE'S VINTAGE EATING PLACES: COMMONWEALTH CRESCENT CORNERS I: HONG KONG STREET OLD CHUN KEE

We have covered the Commonwealth Crescent vicinity before, and for good reason. It is a foodie paradise. In the area surrounding Commonwealth Crescent Market are four corners, each with a restaurant of its own. Three of the four are zhi char places, while the fourth is famous for fried chicken wings. 

We start with the oldest establishment of all on the eastern end of Block 117 with Hong Kong Street Chun Kee. Several different zhi char restaurants have occupied this space, but this outlet of the Hong Kong Street Chun Kee franchise has been the most enduring. It has recently undergone renovation and the previously al fresco eating area now has a permanent roof. So, no need to roll down the tarpaulin when it rains. Its gentrification has also made it look a little more slick besides justifying a modest price increase. 

It's justly famous for its fish head noodles in milky soup, but on this occasion we went for the seafood san mee (deep fried noodles in egg gravy) and the san bei ji (chicken cooked in wine sauce), all comfort foods which are always satisfying. More photos to come when we next return to this favourite haunt of ours.  

Honest to goodness seafood san mee.
This is the small sized portion.

San bei ji (Claypot chicken cooked in wine). 
The basil adds a piquant touch.

HONG KONG STREET OLD CHUN KEE

Block 117 Commonwealth Crescent #01-733

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