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.