Musicale 2022 – A Journey Through Time, and Reconnecting with our Community
2022 marks the first year that Cristofori is able to finally host once again the GRAND Students Recital for our year-end Musicale concert. The annual Musicale Concert and Cristofori Star Student Awards has been a long standing tradition for Cristofori Music School as a way to show our appreciation for the efforts of our dear students. Over the past 2 years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and numerous restrictions to gatherings and performances, our previous Musicale celebrations were majorly scaled back and limited to a simple awarding ceremony. Now in 2022, we were finally able to return to our grand celebration with a BANG. This year’s theme was “ Journey Through Time 穿越时空之旅 ” – calling to us to envision a journey from past to future, having stood together to emerge stronger after a Global Pandemic, we recall memories of playing music together, and appreciate the time we have together; we recall predecessors, and at the same time, look toward a future where we can return to a state of togetherness. COVID-19 had taken away opportunities to gather our students together, but this year, we take back our way of life and stand in hopefulness, to realize our vision to overcome this pandemic and stand together for a brighter future, to continue to build our heritage and legacy of music, passion, life and to bring music to every heart and home. The Musicale Concert 2022 was held on Friday, the 2nd of December at the Festive Arts Theatre at Our Tampines Hub, a 400 seat theatre in the heart of Tampines. The program featured collaborative performances by our Cristofori Music School students and teachers, and the much anticipated Star Student Awards recognising the efforts and hard work of students as nominated by their teachers. It was truly a special treat seeing some of the school’s best perform for a sold out audience, with pieces from beloved movies and series, as well as some well loved classical pieces. We definitely felt a sense of community being with our students and families together in celebration again. Congratulations to all the performers for their amazing work, and thank you to the parents, staff and crew without whom this event would not be possible!
Bridging East & West – Reflections on the Unifying Power of Music with Song Ziliang
11th December 2022 – We had the honour of attending an intimate recital session by Song Ziliang, an International Pianist and Educator at the Bechstein Music World Recital Hall. Song Ziliang was described in the Straits Times as ‘brimming with talent and conviction’ and ‘grandly good’ following sold-out concerts and recitals. Ziliang graduated from the Royal College of Music, London with a Masters of Music in Performance (Distinction) under the tutelage of Gordon Fergus-Thompson. He has also studied at the Moscow Conservatory with Mikhail Petukhov. His studies in Russia and the UK were sponsored by the Trailblazer Foundation. Currently a music educator, Ziliang contributes to the development of the arts through annual performances and commissioning musical works based on Singaporean themes, such as the Laksa Cantata by Chen Zhangyi. With a hope to foster greater inclusivity within our communities, Ziliang continues to perform on the piano, curating programmes that explore parallels across different cultures. In his recital program on the 11th of December, Ziliang chose a number of pieces from composers whose music is closely linked to the Bechstein piano. Incidentally, some of these pieces are also close to his heart Ren Guang – Wang Jianzhong 彩云追月 Colourful Clouds Chasing The Moon The next three pieces, all in the key of D-flat, were played in succession. Interestingly, Ziliang points out, composers from East and West chose the key of D-flat to express their interpretations of moonlight. Perhaps our cultures are not so different after all. Lu Wencheng – Chen Peixun 平湖秋月 Autumn Moon on a Calm Lake Claude Debussy Clair de Lune Franz Liszt Étude No. 3, Un sospiro from Three Concert Études S.144 Following the succession of 3 pieces, Ziliang remarked a quote from Claude Debussy saying that his (Debussy’s) music sounded best on a Bechstein grand. Indeed every dynamic shift and delicacy was crystal clear on the Bechstein D282 Concert Grand Piano that Ziliang played that afternoon. He even commented on a review of the recent concert by Sir Stephen Hough playing on the same model of piano (which we also had the honor of attending earlier this year) that said, the author heard nuances in the music that he had never heard before on any other piano. Bechstein pianos are truly a marvel of piano craftsmanship! The program then went on to explore a genre of the Romantic era that was a feature in the period that the Bechstein piano was born with the Chopin Etude and Ballade, and then closed with a piece that was premiered on a Bechstein piano. Frederic Chopin Etude in E minor, Op 25. No. 5 Ballade in G minor, Op. 23 Bach-Busoni Chaconne in D minor All in all, this was a beautifully curated program executed wonderfully on a beautiful instrument that brings past tradition into a bright future! We certainly look forward to Song Ziliang’s next recital. Want to see what else we’re up to? Check out our Blog Page, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @rockschoolsingapore and @rs_event_center
Things You Might Not Have Known about Yunchan Lim
Following Yunchan Lim’s recent performances in Singapore (we’re still amazed, by the way!), we went down the rabbit-hole and found a special interview with the youngest ever winner of the Van Cliburn International Competition by EPTA UK Trustee Yulia Chaplina (herself an accomplished pianist, having won 7 international piano competitions including the Gold Medal at the Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians). We would love to share some of our favourite parts with you via some trivia about Yunchan Lim. Yunchan Lim almost couldn’t participate in the Van Cliburn Competition! He said, “The most worrisome part was that I might not be able to participate in the competition due to Covid-19 before I went to the US, because three days before I left the country I was so sick that I couldn’t do anything because I suddenly had a cold. But it suddenly got better a day later, and the Covid test was negative, so I was able to participate in the end.” What a lucky break! He has been working with his teacher Minsoo Sohn since he was 13 years old. One of the most important things Yunchan Lim has learned from his teacher is that “Improvisation on stage is very important. You can change the music freely depending on your condition at that time, not as you practise. It is one of the basics every pianist should have and I think it is very important.” Improvisation is a skill that is encouraged and features in the Rockschool Contemporary Piano, and the RSL Classical Piano syllabus too if you’d like to check it out. Visit us at any of our office locations for a closer look! Yunchan Lim has been learning the piano since he was 7 years old. Yunchan said it was not an easy journey. He had to travel far away to his piano lessons, and it involved a lot of time and practice. “There were many things that I could not handle at my age since i was young” He has dreamed of becoming a pianist since he was 8. “I never thought I’d be a pianist. But I wanted to be a pianist, and I prayed every single day since I was 8 years old.” He plays a lot of scales Yunchan says, “Unlike a genius pianist, I’m not born with anything. I practised scales without skipping a single day!” He practices 6 hours a day – at least! And that’s after his studies with his teacher Minsoo Sohn. “I practise to bring the music out of my mind into reality”. His favourite part of practising is… “When music finally recognises my heart and expresses it in real life as I want.” If that doesn’t endear this young pianist to the world, we don’t know what will. We will eagerly look forward to Yunchan Lim’s next endeavours in the Music World. The full article was published in Piano Professional Issue 59 September 2022 and can be accessed here. Want to see what else we’re up to? Check out our Blog Page, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @rockschoolsingapore and @rs_event_center
Musical Excellence and a Rising Star – Martha Argerich & Friends Live in Singapore 2022
Over the course of three nights from 7th to 9th November, Martha Argerich shared the stage with friends and family in chamber music with the Orchestra of the Music Makers. A Legend in the Flesh Seeing a living legend perform live in person was such a surreal experience for a sold out crowd at the Esplanade Concert Hall. Watching Martha Argerich and 3 generations of her family, along with special guests and new blood in the Classical Music World performing together truly brings home the value of music in uniting and bringing people together. South Korean pianist and youngest ever Gold Medalist at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition – Yunchan Lim takes the stage under the watchful eye of living legend Martha Argerich (top left corner). Keeping with her longtime commitment to championing the future of classical music, Argerich triumphantly presented the next generation of young pianists in her festival, including her 14-year-old grandson David Chen, and most notably the newly-crowned Van Cliburn Competition winner Yunchan Lim. Conductor and pianist Darío Alejandro Ntaca masterfully conducted the Orchestra of the Music Makers for the concert series. Witnessing a Rising Star Rising Star – 18 year old pianist Yunchan Lim on the C. Bechstein D282. A very special highlight for the concert series came on closing night, 9th November 2022. Rounding out the festival was a powerful performance of Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto (Piano Concerto No.5 in E-Flat Major) by rising star of the classical piano world Yunchan Lim. Lim played on a superb instrument, a C. Bechstein D282 Concert Grand Piano generously provided by Bechstein Music World Singapore. One with the Orchestra – pianist Yunchan Lim fully immerses himself into the music with the Orchestra of the Music Makers. Yunchan Lim has become known for his unique approach to interpreting and immersing himself in the music. Because of this vision, Lim truly brought the grandeur of the Emperor Concerto to life, expertly melding and weaving in with the orchestra. In an interview after the Cliburn Competition Final, he said, “While (I was) playing, I first opened my heart to the orchestra members, and they tuned in to me.” This was indeed evidenced in his performance on closing night at the Martha Argerich and Friends series. Absolutely a musician living for the music, and thus a treasure to the world. We are so excited to see where his budding career in Classical Music takes him. Kudos and congratulations are in order for Altenburg Arts efforts in organising this spectacular festival – truly one to be remembered in the years to come! For more updates and information, visit the official Instagram, and our facebook! Check out what else we’ve been up to by visiting our Blog.
Yellow River Piano Concerto – Haiou Zhang and C.Bechstein Pianos Grace the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg to Mark the 50 Years of China-Germany Diplomatic Relations
“Everything in Flow” was the title of the concert held on 10th October 2022 that internationally-acclaimed pianist Haiou Zhang gave together with the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra in the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, one of Germany’s greatest concert halls, seating 2,100 whereby the performers are in the center of the hall surrounded by the audience in the vineyard style arrangement. The occasion was the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Germany. Chinese pianist Haiou Zhang, who now lives in Germany, put together a programme together with the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra that couldn’t be more symbolic. Schumann’s “Rhenish” Symphony celebrates the great German river with infectious Romantic verve, full of joie de vivre and flowing melodies. Premiering at this venue and in contrast to the Schumann, “The Yellow River” piano concerto, based on the cantata of the same name by the Chinese composer Xian Xinghai, stands for Chinese independence, and was written in 1968/69 as a collective composition in the spirit of positive socialism. The Mozart piano concerto forms a connecting link between the two worlds, for Mozart embodies the direct, cross-border power of music more strongly than almost any other composer. Haiou Zhang and the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra played to a sold-out house and received standing ovations after the performance. Read more about this amazing performance on the C. Bechstein official website, and on Haiou Zhang’s official Facebook.
Double Bechstein D282 Grand Pianos at A Concert of Hope by Poh-Lin Koh and Raymond Lin
Pianists Poh-Lin Koh and Raymond Lin played 2 intimate concerts at Bechstein Music World for charity. Double Bechstein D282 Grand Pianos at A Concert of Hope by Poh-Lin Koh and Raymond Lin. The audience of around 60 were there to share the music and support donations to elderly care services run by Filos Community Services. Poh-Lin Koh is a virtuoso solo pianist who has performed across Canada, Europe, and Asia. She was active in Singapore in the 1980s, until she moved to Canada, where she is currently based. She is critically acclaimed in multiple countries for her expressive playing and brilliant fingerwork. Raymond Lin is a medical professional who plays the piano as his passion. He studied under the late Yeoh Siew Lan. He and Poh-Lin met while in secondary school at the Anglo-Chinese Junior College studying for O-Level Music. At home, Raymond Lin composes original music and plays piano recreationally on a Bechstein Concert 8 Upright Piano. At Bechstein Music World Singapore on Thursday, October 20th, at 7pm, and Saturday, October 22nd was a two piano concert comprising Bach-Gounod Ave Maria, Thomé Andante Religioso, Chopin piano concerto no. 2, Mozart, Elvira Madigan, Debussy 4 hands from Petit Suite, “Five Miniatures from the Pandemic” – an original composition from Raymond Lin, and concluding with the spectacular Chopin Adante Spaniato and Grand Polonaise.
Living Legend Martha Argerich Returns to Singapore for 3-Day Concert Series
November 2022 is shaping up to be a fantastic month for Classical Music in Singapore. Among this month’s highlights is a series of concerts by Concert Pianist Extraordinaire, Martha Argerich from 7th – 9th November at Singapore’s national performing arts centre, the Esplanade whose futuristic architecture proves to be a fitting match to Argerich’s commitment to bringing classical music into the future! Martha Argerich, (born June 5, 1941, Buenos Aires, Argentina), Argentine pianist known for her recordings and performances of chamber music, particularly of works by Olivier Messiaen, Sergey Prokofiev, and Sergey Rachmaninoff. A prodigy, Argerich was performing professionally by age eight. Known for decades as “the greatest pianist in the world, the artist whom other pianists almost universally venerate for her formidable technique and her instinctive musicianship” (Washington Post, 2016), the legendary Martha Argerich returns to Singapore to headline her first festival here! Martha Argerich and Friends – Live in Singapore Over the course of three nights, Argerich will share the stage with friends and family in chamber music, and with the Orchestra of the Music Makers with her definitive interpretation of Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto. Keeping with her longtime commitment to championing the future of classical music, Argerich is also immensely proud to present the next generation of young pianists in her festival, including her prodigious 14-year-old grandson David Chen and the newly-crowned Van Cliburn Competition winner Yunchan Lim. Also featured will be Martha’s daughter, Lyda Chen Argerich on Viola, and conductor and pianist Darío Alejandro Ntaca together with the Orchestra of the Music Makers. Piano Provided by Bechstein Music World Martha Argerich and Friends will be playing at the Esplanade Concert Hall on the C. Bechstein D282 Concert Grand Piano generously provided by Bechstein Music World Singapore for this concert series. Here’s what we have to look forward to: Programmes CHAMBER MUSIC Monday, 7 November 2022, 8:15pm CLARA SCHUMANN – Three Romances, Op. 22 Lyda Chen Argerich, viola Martha Argerich, piano CHOPIN – Fantasie-Impromptu, Op. 66 David Chen, piano RAVEL – Ma Mère l’Oye (Mother Goose) Martha Argerich, piano David Chen, piano RACHMANINOV – Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 Darío Alejandro Ntaca, piano Martha Argerich, piano ** ROMANTICS Tuesday, 8 November 2022, 8:15pm WAGNER – Prelude to Act 3 of Lohengrin BEETHOVEN – Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15 BRAHMS – Tragic Overture, Op. 81 SCHUMANN – Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 David Chen, piano (Beethoven) Martha Argerich, piano (Schumann) Orchestra of the Music Makers Darío Alejandro Ntaca, conductor ** GENERATIONS Wednesday, 9 November 2022, 8:15pm HINDEMITH – Trauermusik RIMSKY-KORSAKOV – Scheherazade, Op. 35 BEETHOVEN – Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 Lyda Chen Argerich, viola (Hindemith) Yunchan Lim, piano (Beethoven) Orchestra of the Music Makers Darío Alejandro Ntaca, conductor (Programmes subject to change at the artists’ discretion) Get your tickets now at Sistic.com. This Concert series is brought to you by Altenberg Arts Pte Ltd.
YouTuber Superstar Visits Cristofori Experiential Centre @ Funan!
YouTuber superstar and Casio Japan global ambassador Sumino Hayato, also known as Cateen, was in Singapore and paid a visit to the Cristofori Experiential Centre at Funan Mall on the 15th of October 2022! Our Funan outlet is privileged to be the first and only music store in Singapore to be selected to display the newly launched Casio Privia series PXS-7000 piano, which Cateen graciously performed for us on to give a demonstration of this latest model from Casio. With its slim, stylish and lightweight body, the Privia PX-S1100/PX-S3100/PX-S5000 is portable and can fit and compliment any space that it is placed in. It is also equipped with smart functions that can broaden the way you perform and enjoy music. With its ultimate accessibility and innovative functions, this model promises a closer, more personal connection to music. The new Casio PX-7000 comes in 3 colors, Black, White, and Harmonious Mustard. If you’d like to try the Casio Privia series models for yourself, head over to the Cristofori Experiential Centre at Funan Mall, #04-10 Funan Mall (S179105). We hope to see you there!
Asian Supreme Drum Competition 2022 Grand Finals
Spirits were high at the Asian Supreme Drum Competition 2022 Grand Finals, with a total of 87 finalists vying for the top spots in 4 main categories at the Singpost Theatre in Singapore. The day opened with the final rounds in the Rockschool category where contestants played their renditions of the Rockschool Drums pieces in Grades Debut to Grade 5. This very special category allowed students learning Rockschool in Singapore, and other parts of Southeast Asia to participate and experience the competition too, making the Asian Supreme Drum Competition 2022 one of the most accessible competitions in the world! There were stellar performances by the contestants in the Junior, Intermediate and Open age group categories with a mix of Samba, Rock, Metal, and Fusion pieces filling the auditorium with electrifying grooves. This year’s competition saw more than 500 participants joining from over 12 countries including Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Philippines, USA, China, Korea, the UK, Myanmar and Canada. Finalists not only hail from Singapore, but many flew in from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and beyond to be a part of the competition. Congratulations to all the Winners, as well as to all this year’s Finalists! Special thanks go out to Rockschool Singapore for their support and to all our partners in Singapore and all over the world as well as to all the participants and their families for making this event a great success! For more updates and information, visit the official RS Event Center Facebook Page, Instagram, and our official website!
2022 Pearl River Digital Piano International Competition Singapore & S.E.A. Regional Finals – Conquering Obstacles in the Name of Music
Children Category Winners Junior Category Winners Intermediate Category Winners Open Category Winners The Pearl River Digital Piano International Competition 2022 held its Regional Finals on the 2nd of October 2022. We were privileged to witness some of Singapore’s best aspiring young pianists, many of whom were taking their first steps into the competition experience! A total of 51 finalists out of over 400 candidates gave splendid performances in competing for top spots in the Regional Finals. We are truly humbled by the support shown by all the participants, as well as inspired by their stories and the face that for many, the Pearl River Digital Piano International Competition 2022 became their stepping stone to overcoming obstacles in their pursuit of their musical journeys. Speaking on their experience at the Pearl River Digital Piano International Competition 2022, we had a quick chat with a few top prize winners who shared their thoughts on the competition. Open Category 1st Prize – Pariyakorn Tankanarat Q: What was your experience like in entering and preparing for this competition? “At first it was unintentional to join this, because for the qualifying round (the deadline) was the first of this month at midnight, ad i just submitted the Google form at 11:58 (laughs), and at that time i was confused very much (sic), and i think “ok, I’ve submitted it, so i have to fight and do my best, so over the month i kept on practice, practice and practice a lot… and i have to thank my friends and my family, and my professor, and myself also for never quitting.” Q: Was this your first competition? “No, actually I have joined around 2 or 3 competitions but in Thailand, so this is the first International competition that I’ve joined.” Open Category 3rd Prize – Boo Kok Chuon: Q: How would you describe your experience joining and preparing for this competition? “Actually, why I joined the competition in the first place was to accompany my daughter but she didn’t manage to get in, I got in (laughs), but anyway I would say that it is a fantastic experience personally, and I got to see a lot of high quality piano players. I am truly grateful for the opportunity and really honoured to be one of the finalists.” Q: Were you expecting to be a finalist? “Actually not really, because I’m using my own composition, then I’m competing against the works of giants, so I wasn’t really expecting that my own work could actually be on the same stage and I never expected to place 3rd in my category. Q: Do you have any message to others who may be looking to join the Pearl River Digital Piano International Competition in the future? “Initially I was a bit discouraged (to join) because I suspect that I may be the most senior participant (laughs), but in any case, don’t let this (age) be an obstacle… don’t bother about all these concerns, ultimately it’s the experience that counts.” Fun Fact: Boo Kok Chuon holds a corporate job, but music has always been a passion for him. He played his own composition “Wave Sonata” for the Finals. Intermediate Category 3rd Prize – Hanyu Li: Q: How would you describe your experience joining and preparing for this competition? “Considering that this is my first piano competition, this is actually quite the experience because i’ve never actually done anything like this before, so I’d say it was an emotional roller coaster. Q: What made you decide to join the Pearl River Digital Piano International Competition? “Uhh, how honest do I be with my responses? (laughs)… Part of it is because i’ve been playing piano for a total of 10 years now, so I’ve gone a long time without actually joining a competition, so i wanted to have this experience of competing with other pianists and hearing others play physically, so like a piano festival with some stakes added, not to mention my teacher also wanted me to enter one (competition) so yeah (laughs).” “It was the most available one in the post-COVID era and other competitions have been hard to find or are being held elsewhere, but this one i had seen all over (on social media, at music schools) and you could find out a lot about it very quickly, so i think the media exposure that it gets is a lot more than other competitions (that I wasn’t aware of).” Q: Any message to other pianists such as yourself who perhaps are also hesitant to compete? “Just join, it’s fun! (laughs) You may be nervous at first, but at the end of the day you’re playing piano so you can have others hear and enjoy your music so i think it’s worth it to come to piano competitions where you can express your piano playing on a platform where others can hear you as well.” Intermediate Category 3rd Prize – Gelasia Chan Cee Hwee Q: What would you say was the biggest challenge in preparing for this competition? “Thinking of a way to deal with the anxiety that comes with participating competitions, because i get a lot of stage fright so even if i’m able to play it properly at home, when i play in front of others it usually sounds more messy so it was definitely more of a mental preparation and finding ways to deal with the stress that i’m going to experience on the day itself.” Q: Is there any advice you would like to share with other young pianists who may experience the same sort of anxieties as yourself? “It may help to think that, you know, you only get one shot at this, so before your turn comes around, you should really just mentally prepare yourself and when you get to the piano, just take a moment to take a deep breath, and then think about how you want the first few notes to go because it’s always the
