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Get ready for the most exhilarating showcase of talent as we bring back the biggest Talent Competition in town! 

Cristofori’s Got Talent has been a long-standing tradition at Cristofori Music School, giving our students even more platforms to explore their talents and share their skills. In this event, students get to show off not just their musical skills, but their creativity, artistry and showmanship too!

This year’s competition will feature  a total of 4 Categories to Thrill and Inspire:

Solo Category:

Children (Ages 12 and below) – Entry Fee: $60 (Cristofori Students) | $80 (Public)
Teenagers (Ages 13-18) – Entry Fee: $70 (Cristofori Students) | $90 (Public)
Open Category (No Age Limit) – Entry Fee: $80 (Cristofori Students) | $100 (Public)

Group Category
Gather your crew of 2-8 performers (no age limit) – Entry Fee: $140 (Cristofori Students) | $180 (Public)

A Total of $10,000 in Cash Prizes to be won!

Unleash your creativity in any talent, at any age, any instrument, any style – Music, Dance, Acting, and beyond! But remember, keep it fabulous and steer clear of anything inappropriate, dangerous, copyrighted, discriminatory, or offensive.

Lock in Your Spot – Sign up by March 31, 2024! 📅

The Stage Beckons! Take note of the Key Competition Dates:

🎙️ Live Qualifying Round: April 10, 13, 14, 20, 21, 2024
Venue: RS Event Center Event Hall, Blk 51 Old Airport Road #02-56, Singapore 390051

🎥 Video Submission Deadline for Qualifying Round: April 25, 2024

🌟 Announcement of Finalists (via Email): May 2, 2024

🏆 Grand Finals @ Bishan Junction 8 – Rooftop Garden: May 25-26, 2024

🎉 Award Presentation Ceremony @ Bishan Junction 8, Rooftop Garden: May 26, 2024

Claim Your Spotlight – Register Now! Visit www.cristofori.asia or drop by any CRISTOFORI Music School outlet to register.

For inquiries, call +65 8766 0611 or email us at 2024cgt.cms@gmail.com.

Seize the Moment, Share Your Talent, and Be the Star You Are!

Renowned Taiwanese pianist Yen Chun-Chieh is set to enchant Singaporean audiences with his upcoming piano recital, promising an evening filled with virtuosity, emotion, and musical mastery.

Yen Chun-Chieh, celebrated globally for his mesmerizing performances and significant contributions to the world of classical music, will take center stage in Singapore for a memorable piano recital. With a repertoire that spans both classical and contemporary genres, Chun-Chieh’s artistry promises to captivate audiences of all tastes.

Chun-Chieh, inspired by the profound connection between nature and human emotions, will explore this theme through pieces such as Chopin’s Barcarolle and Ravel’s Jeux d’eau. The recital promises to be a musical journey that mirrors the beauty and depth found in the natural world.

The program will also showcase Chopin’s Op.25 Etudes, where Chun-Chieh will display his virtuosic qualities and bring out the emotional richness embedded in each composition. It’s a rare opportunity to witness the pianist navigate the intricate nuances of Chopin’s masterful piano writing.

Leading the audience into the whimsical world of Schumann’s Carnaval, Chun-Chieh will bring to life a diverse cast of characters through contrasting musical styles. Schumann’s insertion of musical cryptograms within each section adds an intriguing layer, making it a delightful challenge for listeners to decipher his masked ball.

Beyond his captivating performances, Yen Chun-Chieh is also a dedicated educator, currently serving as a full-time Associate Professor at Taiwan Normal University. His commitment to inspiring future generations of musicians is evident in both his performances and his role as a faculty member at international music festivals.

Whether you’re a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of piano recitals, Yen Chun-Chieh’s upcoming performance in Singapore promises an evening of musical brilliance and emotional resonance. Book your tickets now for a chance to experience the magic of this internationally acclaimed pianist.

Mark your calendars and join us for a night of enchanting melodies, where Yen Chun-Chieh’s piano keys will weave a musical tapestry that transcends time and space.

Date: Saturday, 9th March 2024
Venue: Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore

Tickets are on sale now! Buy your Tickets now: https://ticketmaster.sg/activity/detail/24sg_chunchiehyen 

(Price : $78, $58, $38 and $18)

Singapore’s vibrant arts and cultural scene has a stunning new addition with the soft opening of the Kayserburg Pearl River Gallery at SMU. Nestled in the heart of the city, this gallery is poised to become a sanctuary for music enthusiasts, art lovers, and those seeking an immersive experience in the world of pianos and other fine instruments.

Held between 27th October to 24th November 2023, the soft opening of the Kayserburg Pearl River Gallery at SMU was nothing short of a celebration of elegance and craftsmanship. The gallery showcases a curated collection of exquisitely crafted pianos, including the renowned Kayserburg and Pearl River brands. Each instrument is a testament to the precision and artistry that defines the world of piano making.

The strategic location of the gallery at Singapore Management University (SMU) adds a unique dimension to the musical landscape of the city. Surrounded by the energy of the university campus, the gallery provides a dynamic space for students, faculty, and the public to engage with the beauty of pianos and the art of music.

The soft opening featured not only an impressive display of pianos but also live performances by accomplished young musicians. and a few of the Grand Finalists of the 2023 Kayserburg International Youth Piano Competition also graced the event. These performances highlighted the exceptional sound quality and versatility of the Kayserburg Grand Piano.

In line with its commitment to promoting musical education, the Kayserburg Music School @ Kayserburg Pearl River Gallery currently offers courses in Violin, and soon in 2024 will be offering courses in Piano too. 

As the Kayserburg Pearl River Gallery at SMU opens its doors to the public, it brings with it a dedication to elegance, innovation, and a renewed appreciation for the art of piano craftsmanship. The gallery’s soft opening was a prelude to what promises to be a symphony of cultural experiences, as it establishes itself as a prominent player in Singapore’s musical landscape. Here’s to the continued resonance of art and music at the Kayserburg Pearl River Gallery at SMU.

Change is the only constant, and for the music enthusiasts in Bukit Batok, change brings a new melody to their lives. Cristofori Music School, a trusted name in musical education, has made a new home, promising a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity for aspiring musicians in the community.

On November 4th 2023, Cristofori-Bukit Batok celebrated the move to the new premises at West Mall with a big Open House Celebration! 

This transition from Block 132 Bukit Batok West Ave 6 to West Mall in the heart of Bukit Batok Central marks a significant milestone for Cristofori Music School. To celebrate this exciting move, a warm Open House event was organized, attended by both loyal patrons and curious newcomers. The Open House featured performances by our dear students and teachers, along with lots of great deals on Pianos and other musical instruments.

Cristofori’s new home at West Mall offers a welcoming and inspiring environment for students of all ages. The spacious classrooms, adorned with the latest in acoustic design, provide the perfect backdrop for musical exploration. The school’s commitment to creating a nurturing space for learning remains unwavering, ensuring that students can continue their musical journeys with passion and dedication.

As Cristofori Music School makes our new home at West Mall, we bring with it a promise of continued musical excellence and a commitment to nurturing the talents of the next generation of musicians. The move is not just about changing locations; it’s about creating a musical haven where the community can come together, learn, and celebrate the transformative power of music. Here’s to the next chapter of musical exploration and discovery at Cristofori Music School, West Mall.

Say “Hello!” to the newest Cristofori Academy of Fine Arts at Holland Village – Bringing the Sound of Europe to all our customers!

Historically an expatriate hub, Holland Village was developed in the 1930s as a military village with local businesses mainly catered to the needs of British soldiers and their families based in Pasir Panjang and Alexandra. Its proximity to Tanglin, a residential area associated with the European community, also contributed to the early development of Holland Village as an expatriate enclave.

Gradually, the local residential population expanded, particularly after the completion of the new Buona Vista public housing estate in 1972. Businesses catering to the local residents grew as well cushioning the effects of the withdrawal of the British military from Singapore in the early 1970s. Today, Holland Village is a haven for foodies, and serves and attracts a mixed crowd of local teenagers, families, yuppies, and expatriates, which contributed to the Village’s cosmopolitan atmosphere.

In 2014, redevelopment for rejuvenation and extension of Holland Village through a new mixed-use project with retail, commercial and residential elements, as well as public spaces and pedestrian walkways was proposed, resulting in the newly opened One Holland Village. The perfect new home for Cristofori Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA)!

The showroom will boast a selection of the finest European instruments with pianos by Seiler (Germany), C. Bechstein (Germany), W. Hoffman (Czech Republic), guitars by Alhambra (Spain), Raimundo, and more!

The Studios will also be equipped with the same top quality instruments for the most immersive experience.

Courses in Piano, Violin, and Guitar will be offered too, so keep your eyes open for the CAFA Grand Opening!

Source: National Library Board

Cristofori’s annual grand students’ concert and star student recognition awards, Musicale 2023 wrapped up on 8th December at the National Drama Centre with colorful, touching numbers performed by our very own students and teachers, featuring songs from our childhoods.

This year’s concert also broke records for our school, having the largest number of performers to date in the concert program with performers numbering close to 200! With the largest number of big ensembles presenting, Musicale 2023 will certainly be a memorable one!

The concert opened with a highly energetic Jay Chou extravaganza by a percussion ensemble playing to one of his greatest hits “霍元甲 Fearless” to heighten the mood with a heart-pumping beat. A medley of familiar tunes from nursery rhymes to anime themes and K-pop tracks, and radio hits followed in “Mixed Musical Anecdotes”, and was then succeeded by a rendition of Maroon 5’s “Memories” by violin ensemble.

With Disney’s surge of revival films, “The Little Mermaid” has now been reintroduced to a new generation and was reinterpreted in epic fashion with a suspenseful introduction leading into the familiar strains of the well-loved “Part of Your World” played by band, strings and flute. 

The evergreen melody of Richard Clayderman’s 1977 instrumental piece “Ballade Pour Adeline” invoked feelings of nostalgia, interpreted soulfully by the guitar ensemble. A piano duet then came on stage to play “Disney Princess Medley”, bringing many of us back into our childhood years. The Star Students Awards then followed as we took a break from the performances to honor this year’s Star Student Awardees.

The performances resumed with Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” arranged for very unique instrumentation with handbells, otomatone, melodica, piano, and band, giving a whimsical holiday twist to this composition. An acoustic rendition of a medley of Mandopop hits from Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysian singers was the next programme that surely captured the hearts of the audience followed by an instrumental cover of Lady Gaga’s chart-topping “Bad Romance”.

Disney is certainly a big part of our collective childhoods as evidenced with a spectacular solo piano rendition of “Prince Ali” from “Aladdin”, followedand closing out the program was a choir presentation of the songs “Homeward Bound”, and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”.

The performers’ efforts definitely paid off, giving their best to a SOLD OUT house! Despite the challenges of arranging group rehearsals, the support of teachers, staff and family members made everything possible.

The evening was also a chance for us to acknowledge our hard-working students at the Star Student Awards, recognising the role models among our students with their work ethic and support of Cristofori activities and events.  (any poster/artwork for all star students?) Congratulations to all 28 Cristofori Star Students for 2023! Keep up the good work!

Full List of Performers, Star Student Awardees and Acknowledgements can be found in the Musicale Concert Programme!

The Musicale 2023: Music We Grew Up With was an excellent and enjoyable show for the whole family. Congratulations to all the performers, and we look forward to seeing everyone again at next year’s Musicale!

Singapore-born, London-based pianist See Ning Hui gave a delightful recital at Bechstein Music World on 2nd December 2023 themed around poetry and romance through the eyes of some lesser-known woman composers. Ning Hui’s selection of pieces by Amy Beach, Kaija Saariaho, and Clara Schumann painted snapshots of love through oceans, storms, and rain. 

Even before completing her PhD studies at the Royal College of Music, See Ning Hui has been championing women composers’ works in her performances. As a researcher, Ning Hui examines issues of gender, value, and the musical canon. She is passionate about practical and meaningful strategies towards the integration of lesser-known composers into concert repertoire and education, which she skillfully exhibits in this recital with her carefully curated programme. 

About the Artiste

Ning Hui See is an award-winning Singapore-born pianist recognized for her “refined touch, voluminous sound, and an all-rounded musical personality” (The Straits Times). She is a C H Scholar working with Prof Rosie Perkins, Prof Natasha Loges, and Danny Driver at the Royal College of Music London. She is also a Graduate Teaching Assistant for historical studies.

A Kris Foundation Artist, she has given recitals at the Pallant House Gallery, The Venue (Leeds College of Music), the Wells Cathedral School, and the Yehudi Menuhin School. She has performed in France, Italy, Brussels, Sweden, Aspen (Colorado), and the Esplanade Recital Studio in Singapore, and has featured on BBC Four, BBC Radio 3 and Symphony 92.4FM.

Russian pianist Denis Matsuev gave a stellar Singapore concert on the 21st of November 2023 playing numerous classical favorites, and contemporary jazz pieces in the second half with award-winning musicians, double bassist Andrei Ivanov and jazz drummer Alexander Singer.

Matsuev truly showcased his prowess on the C. Bechstein D282 Concert Grand Piano, breezing through most masterfully the works of Handel, Beethoven, Chopin, and a selection of Rachmaninoff’s works, and more.

For a recap of the evening’s “Classics and Jazz” programme, check out our previous article! JAZZ TRIO PERFORMANCE – A Whirlwind of Improvisational Genius!

  A very special treat came in the second half of Matsuev’s programme, where he invited double bassist Andrei Ivanov and drummer Alexander Singer to the stage to perform a mix of contemporary compositions including his own “Ballade” and Ivanov’s “Fiesta” interspersed among some refreshing improvisational takes on Gershwin’s well-loved “Rhapsody in Blue”, and one we particularly enjoyed, Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King” reimagined to a point we may have forgotten, caught up in the sublime evolution and transformation engineered by Matsuev, Ivanov, and Singer, what piece it was, until Matsuev would playfully remind us of Grieg’s genius by sneaking in the main motif into the mix. This concert was nothing short of exhilarating!  

For more concert news, do follow Bechstein Music World on their Facebook and Instagram pages.

4th November 2023 – Internationally acclaimed concert pianist Haiou Zhang’s ternary run in Singapore proved a sublime showcase of rich sensations, emotional intensity and artistic brilliance conveying everything from ethereal beauty, to serenity and agitation, to passion and nostalgia with every sparkling note.

Zhang’s programme for the evening featured a selection of pieces by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Schumann and Liszt, masterfully brought to life through every moment of turbulence and tranquility by his skillful hands and truly demonstrating the mastery he is best known for. He truly captured the scenery in sonic ecstasy for Liszt’s Les jeux d’eau à la Villa d’Este, the emotionally charged late-period Beethoven, and everything in between in this Grand Finale to C.Bechstein’s 170th Anniversary Celebration Concert Series in Singapore.

Programme:
J.S BACH – Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue in D Minor BMV903

W.A MOZART – Piano Sonata No. 12 in F Major K. 332

• • Allegro

• • Adagio

• • Assai Allegro

L.V. BEETHOVEN – Sonata No. 30 in E Major Op.109

• • Vivace, ma non troppo – Adagio espressivo

• • Prestissimo

• • Gesangvoll, mit innigster Empfindung (Andante molto cantabile ed espressivo)

ROBERT SCHUMANN / FRANZ LISZT – Widmung (Dedication)

FRANZ LISZT – Les jeux d’eau à la Villa d’Este

FREDERIC CHOPIN – Nocturne in C-Sharp Minor Op. posth.

FREDERIC CHOPIN – Prelude No.15 Op. 28 “Raindrop”

FREDERIC CHOPIN – Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2

FREDERIC CHOPIN – Scherzo No. 2 in B-Flat Minor Op. 31

The audience erupted into exuberant cheers and applause at the end of the programme, which was then met with three magnificent encores – Schumann’s posthumous Variation V form Symphonic Etudes Op.13, and movement No.14 from Davidsbundlertanze Op.6, and finally, a scintillating Moszkowksi Entincelles drew his delightful recital to a fitting close.

The shining performance by Haiou Zhang truly dazzled and captured the audience, and we can’t wait to see him again in Singapore.

ABOUT THE ARTISTE

Haiou Zhang was born in 1984 in China, and first studied at the Central Conservatory in Beijing before continuing his studies at the Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media with Prof. Bernd Goetzke. Haiou Zhang launched his career in 2005/06, and after much success, is heard regularly in concerts and interviews for various radio and television stations around the world. He has a strong presence in Germany’s classical radio landscape at BR-Klassik, NDR Kultur, and Deutschlandradio Kultur to name a few.

Haiou Zhang is Music Director and Founder of International Music Festival Buxtehude / Altes Land / Harburg in Northern Germany, which is aimed primarily at young audiences. The festival has become one of the most successful classical music institutions in metropolitan Hamburg.

Haiou Zhang has immortalised the illustrious works of master composers Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Liszt on 3 CD albums he has recorded on the C. Bechstein D282 – “Liszt Piano Works” (2011), “Fingerprints” (2017), and “My 2020” (2021).

For more piano concerts, do follow Bechstein Music World on their Facebook and Instagram pages.