CHOPIN: PASSION & DEATH / LOKE HOE KIT and SONG ZILIANG rehearse Chopin's Cello Sonata Op.65

Although I will not be around to witness the all-Chopin concert (CHOPIN: PASSION & DEATH) on Thursday 20 March 2014 at the Conservatory, I was fortunate to be able to witness Singapore cellist Loke Hoe Kit and pianist Song Ziliang rehearse the entire Cello Sonata in G minor Op.65 by Frédéric Chopin.

It is a rare masterpiece that is hardly performed, so any chance to hear it in person is a welcome treat, especially when it is being played by two of Singapore's finest young musicians. Loke Hoe Kit was a student of the American cellist Nathaniel Rosen (himself a student of Gregor Piatigorsky), while Song Ziliang studied in both the Moscow Conservatory and London's Royal College of Music. Both have the chops to express themselves in this late Chopin work, which has both great lyricism and instrumental virtuosity.  

The concert also includes Chopin's Second and Third Piano Sonatas, performed by Victor Yeh and Jonathan Shin respectively. Tickets are still available at SISTIC outlets. 

If you are less inclined to pay $19 plus the pesky SISTIC booking fee, free tickets exclusive to Pianomania readers can be gotten here: http://bit.ly/1irWv1d

Here are the photographs from their rehearsal in a private residence.

Just to illustrate the duo's unfailing musicianship,
old Ludwig did not stir even once
throughout the performance.

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CHOPIN: PASSION & DEATH

Consumed and wracked by the ravages of tuberculosis, Frédéric Chopin overcame his frail health and fear of mortality with great music of ultimate passion. His tempestuous relationship with author George Sand in tatters, and desperately short of funds, he picked himself up for one last hurrah, a concert tour in the rain-beaten British Isles. This was the spring of 1848. One year later, the great Polish-born pianist-composer was dead.

This special concert brings together for the first time in Singapore, the three great mature sonatas of Chopin, featuring four of Singapore's most exceptional young musical talents. Pianists Victor Yeh and Jonathan Shin (students of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory) will play Chopin's 2nd and 3rd Sonatas, while cellist Loke Hoe Kit and pianist Song Ziliang (both of whom studied abroad respectively at the Mannes College of Music, New York and the Moscow Conservatory) will join forces to perform Chopin's Cello Sonata.

Date: Thursday, 20 March 2014
Time: 8 pm
Place: Yong Siew Toh Conservatory

Just click on the following link:
http://bit.ly/1irWv1d

Programme:

CHOPIN Piano Sonata No.2
in B flat minor, Op.35 "Funeral March"

CHOPIN Cello Sonata in G major, Op.65

CHOPIN Piano Sonata No.3 in B minor, Op.58

Artists:
VICTOR YEH, Piano (Op.35)
LOKE HOE KIT, Cello
SONG ZILIANG, Piano (Op.65)
JONATHAN SHIN (Op.58)