Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music is fortunate to have visiting world-class musicians conduct masterclasses for their students. On 13 October, the Swiss-Taiwanese cellist Wen-Sinn Yang was present to deliver invaluable advice and tips to three young and excellent cellists. It was a pleasure to share in this experience, when an older and wiser musician imparts knowledge and wisdom, not just technical details but also historical background to music and practical tips on performing and practising from a busy and illustrious performing life.
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| After Zhu Ruoning performed the whole of Debussy's Cello Sonata with pianist Liu Jia, Yang worked on her pizzicato technique. |
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| Practical advice was freely shared. |
The students performed whole sonatas and movements of important repertoire works. The master was rich with praise and encouragement, and showed how they could further refine their art. He gave more time than was actually scheduled, and going way past 10 pm, the students and audience were still lapping it up. That's how masterclasses should be, a time for sharing between artists and colleagues.
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| Alan Assenbay was next with the first movement from Kodaly's Solo Sonata. |
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| Among Yang's advice was for the performer to strictly follow the score and the composer's own directions. |
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| Doing what you want comes later, after you have become famous! |
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| Yang challenged Ren Zhiyi to perform the 1st movement from Dvorak's Cello Concerto from memory. She did so wonderfully. |
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| He got her to be more sensitive to the orchestra's part, and to listen intently. |
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| She was later congratulated for having given her first performance of the work. |
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| A photo moment to remember. |
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| Part of Qin Li-Wei's cello studio attended the masterclass. The others were presumably busily practising for their upcoming concert. |
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