ALBUM LAUNCH OF CHEN ZHANGYI'S TWIN CINEMA

String quartets by Singaporean composers are such rare commodities that an album launch of such repertoire is cause for celebration. Young Artist Award recipient Chen Zhangyi is one of Singapore's finest young composers and his new album of two string quartets and a nonet on the Centaur label is big news. Not since Tan Chan Boon's self-produced compact disc recordings of his three string quartets in 2008 has there been such an event of equal importance.

Chen Zhangyi's Twin Cinema comprised his two String Quartets, Echoes (String Quartet No.1), Give and Take (String Quartet No.2) and Twin Cinema (Nonet for double string quartet & double bass). These were recorded at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Recording studio by the T'ang Quartet (No.2), Espoir Quartet (No.1) and both quartets with Russian bassist Guennadi Mouzyka respectively.

The album launch saw Chen speak about his inspirations from poetry (by Yeow Kai Chai and Sara Florian), art (Georgette Chen, no relation) and Singaporean scenes of life. There were no live performances despite all the performers being present, instead short excerpts were aired in the presentation. It was a reflection on the art of composition, and Chen's music is gratifyingly tonal and accessible despite being a child of its time, the early 21st century.

I had the fortune of witnessing the performances of Give and Take and Twin Cinema in 2023, and had written that "Chen's music blends aural lushness and gentle dissonance in a memorable way", with "ear-catching, rhythmic movements...where jazz, pop and rock rhythms provided a dynamic close." About the Nonet, "both quartets had separate narrative threads, representing different cultures with their respective interactions and reactions being the work's essence."

He also cited Mendelssohn's Octet as an inspiration of his Nonet, the premiere which was performed here by the Stradivari Quartet and Singapore Symphony Orchestra musicians:

The artwork by local artist Alvin Mark Tan from the recording were used for the album, on display and later presented to bassist Guennadi Mouzyka and recording engineer Zhou Xiaodong for their invaluable contributions to the project.

It would not be a Singaporean event had it not closed with platters of local food, pizzas and drinks! Although a compact disc recording has not been produced, individual tracks and the album may be sampled and purchased at:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9731877--twin-cinema?srsltid=AfmBOopDDwZXHFqIMdJwi2xMCSZsGhlpJk9uGBD7hhPcaoygICgStAU2

Chen Zhangyi with the founding members
of T'ang Quartet, violinists Ng Yu Ying
and Ang Chek Meng.

PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION @ BLUMINE GALLERY

ART THROUGH MUSIC SERIES

Khachatur Khachatryan, Cello

Blumine Galley, 29 Kreta Ayer Road

Tuesday (21 January 2025)

Okay, its not exactly Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, and nobody died. It is instead an interesting experiment of music and art by the Armenian cellist Khachatur Khachtryan at his Blumine Gallery on 29 Kreta Ayer Road. Part of Singapore Art Week, its premise is simple: KK performs three original solo cello works in response to three art pieces in his gallery.

The pieces included A Moment and Bustling, an aural representation of two modern impressionist paintings by Jose Martinez depicting street scenes in Paris and New York City. These are contrasting pieces, the first with the relaxed quality of a song, and the other a busy and hectic scherzo that taxes the full capabilities of cello technique.

The scores are pieces of art too.

The last work, Highland Song, was in response to his compatriot Vardan Gabrielyan whose triptych on the birth of the sun is based on Armenian folk culture and the early cult of paganism. Drones are heard in this rustic work through modern sensibilities.

After the performance, guests were treated to moscato and fruit skewers and a little tour around the gallery to view further works by Tadas Zaicikas, Anne Dias and others. All the works on display are for sale.

Mermaid by Tanya.

Can't afford a Basquiat?
This will do nicely.

Less expensive than Warhol.

Tickets for this event which continues on 23 January and 4 February are available at:

https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/art-through-music-series-experience-masterpieces-with-classical-music-tickets-1123770240039

NIGHT TO LIGHT SINGAPORE 2025

Taking a break from all these concerts to look at some light. This is the annual Light To Night illuminations festival that takes place in Singapore's civic district. National monuments like the Victoria Memorial complex, the Old Parliament House, the Asian Civilisations Museum, the National Gallery and Padang were all included to showcase these art-pieces. After a casual dinner, a walk through the lights truly helped settle the stomach and awake the other senses.

One may begin by walking through
the Anderson Bridge to reach Empress Place.

Home of the Arts?

The Arts House illuminated.

Side of the Asian Civilisations Museum.

Words as messages behind the statue
of Sir Stamford Raffles.

The National Gallery (Supreme Court Building)
and the Padang.

Installation by Han Sai Por.

The National Gallery (City Hall Building).

Light To Night takes place from 17 January to 6 February 2025 at the Civic District. Do not miss it!

Find out more here:

https://lighttonight.sg/category-programmes/light-projections/

Even without Light To Night, there is still a lot to admire in Singapore's nightscapes.

St Andrew's Cathedral

Fullerton Hotel (General Post Office Building).

Marina Bay Sands and ArtScience Museum.

The office blocks around Raffles Place.

From Esplanade to the Flyer.