SINGAPORE PREMIERE OF VICTOR HERBERT'S CELLO CONCERTO NO.2: Photographs from the final rehearsal

SOME PHOTOGRAPHS 

FROM THE REHEARSAL:

SINGAPORE PREMIERE OF

VICTOR HERBERT'S 

CELLO CONCERTO NO.2

Singapore premieres are momentous events in our musical calendar. These do not happen regularly but when premieres take place, a little history is made. On Saturday 24 June 2023, the Singapore premiere of Irish-American composer Victor Herbert's (1859-1924) Second Cello Concerto took place at the School of the Arts Concert Hall, given by local cellist soloist Loke Hoe Kit and the Tanglin Symphony Orchestra conducted by Briton Michael Holiday. 

It was interesting to note that the edition of the same concerto with piano accompaniment was also premiered by Loke in 2017 at Victoria Concert Hall with pianist Khor Shang Jin. Loke is certainly the local cellist with the most Singapore premieres, having also premiered Saint-Saens' Second Cello Concerto with the Macpherson Philharmonic Orchestra several years ago. 

Here are some photographs from the final rehearsal, held earlier in the afternoon on the same day. The orchestra produced a good sonority all around, and ably supported Loke in his performance. Much care was taken by conductor Holiday to ensure that the orchestra did not overwhelm the lovely cello solo. In short, the community orchestra based in Tanglin Trust School was a sensitive partner. For the record, the orchestra also performed Sibelius' Finlandia and Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony. This must have made for a very enjoyable evening of good music!