EVERYONE LOVES SOIREES: THE CNY EDITION @ HEYANG'S TAMPINESE HUT

The first soiree of the year 2026 as well as the Chinese Lunar New Year. The honour fell to the indefatigable Zhang Heyang, music journalist of Lianhe Zaobao, whose hospitality can never be over-emphasised. This time, he assembled at his Tampines hut more violinists, pianists than ever, and even a singer and a guitarist to grace the occasion. Technically speaking, it's still Chinese New Year as Chap Goh Mei (the fifteenth night) as yet to arrive, so everyone was still greeting each other with Gong Xi Fa Cai (May You Be Prosperous). And there was more music than we've ever had!

The Two Zhangs' welcome piece
is Fritz Kreisler's Liebesleid
followed by Erich Korngold's Ohne Dich
from Die Stumme Serenade.

Heyang accompanies soprano Alison Wong
in Carl Orff's In Trutina from Carmina Burana.

Ever the hospitable host.

Back to music: Goh Ching Lee joins
in Bach's Wachet Auf! for four hands.

Ching Lee goes solo in a piece by
Wang Jianzhong, totally appropriate for CNY.

Huang Ying accompanies Heyang and Luo Wei
in J.S.Bach's Concerto for two violins
in D minor (BWV.1043)

The Two Weis:
Ang Seow Wei joins Luo Wei
in the second movement.

Heyang returns for the final movement.

All ears and eyes for the music.

Beethoven's Romance No.2 in F major Op.50.

Han Yong Mei brings out her new toy,
a stringless electronic guitar.

The Teresa Teng classic
The Moon Represents My Heart.

Ching Lee tries out the "toy",
with John looking on with interest.

Shostakovich's Waltz from Jazz Suite No.2

Alison and Ying in two movements
from Schumann's Liederkreis Op.24.

The Mongolian song Ulanbataar Nights.

Vivaldi's Spring from The Four Seasons.

Shostakovich's Five Pieces for two violins.

Alison and Ching Lee
in Puccini's O Mio Babbino Caro.

Seow Wei plays the violin solo in
Richard Strauss's Morgen!
as Alison completes the lied.

Johann Strauss the Elder's
Radetzky March.

The final clap-along before hitting the road.

That's all folks. Till the next one!