10-year-old Singaporean Piano Prodigy Makes History as the Youngest Pianist to Perform Both Chopin Concertos in a Concert and the Youngest Artiste Ever to be Sponsored by Bechstein in the 21st century Singapore, 27 March 2023 – Mikkel Myer Lee, a 10-year-old Singaporean piano prodigy, made history as the youngest pianist ever to perform both Chopin Piano Concerto No.1 and Chopin Piano Concerto No.2 at a public concert. His upcoming concert Mikkel Stars Chopin will be held at the Esplanade Concert Hall on 6 June 2023. He will be accompanied by The Asian Symphony Orchestra for the concert. Exhibiting virtuosity and emotional maturity beyond his years, he will also be the youngest artiste to be sponsored by Bechstein Music World in the 21st century. Director of Business Development of Bechstein Music World, Koh Lee Ching, said, “We are thrilled to support Mikkel in his journey and are excited to welcome him as the youngest artiste sponsored by Bechstein in this century. At only 10 years old, Mikkel has demonstrated an incredible mastery of the piano and is set to join the ranks of Bechstein’s list of legendary pianists in our archives. We were awestruck by Mikkel’s rendition of Chopin’s Concerto No.2 Op.21 that he performed at the Victoria Concert Hall last year as this concerto from the Romantic era demands expertise and emotional maturity typical of older and more accomplished pianists. With our support, we hope that Mikkel will be able to develop his phenomenal talent and achieve greater success in the years to come.”
Born to parents who are not trained musically, Mikkel shocked his parents with his rare gift for music at the young age of six when he started playing piano pieces he heard over the internet. Endowed with perfect-pitch, Mikkel went on to clinch Gold in various international piano competitions. He represented Singapore and performed at Mozarteum in Salzburg (Austria) and Het Concertgebouw in Amsterdam (Netherlands). In 2022, Mikkel performed at two sold-out concerts at the Esplanade and the Victoria Concert Hall respectively. More details of his awards and appearances can be found in Annex B below. Mikkel Stars Chopin will mark a momentous milestone for Mikkel as he will be performing two highly complex pieces that are uncommon for his age, achieving a remarkable musical feat. More details on the concert can be found below: Mikkel Stars Chopin
The Asian Symphony OrchestraPresented by Symphonic Music (Asia) Ltd
Conductor
Dr Robert Casteels
Official piano sponsor
Bechstein Music World
Check out Mikkel in action on his YouTube Channel! About Mikkel Myer Lee Mikkel Myer Lee was born to parents who are not trained musically. His parents learnt about his rare and unique gift when he heard him play piano pieces he heard over the internet when he was only six years old. In 2021, he started receiving formal music education from renowned Belgian-American pianist Tedd Joselson. Mikkel made history in February 2022 when he became the youngest ever to perform the complete cycle of Chopin 24 Preludes Op. 28 at a sold-out piano recital at the Esplanade – Theatres on The Bay. In July 2022, he performed Chopin Concerto No. 2 and Beethoven Concerto No.3 to another full house audience at the Victoria Concert Hall. Ticket prices range from $28 to $108. Get your tickets at https://sg.bookmyshow.com/e/MIKKELSC.
On 11th June 2023, Singapore will be in for a treat as award-winning pianist William Youn makes his Singapore Debut with a recital dubbed “Echoes of Silence – A Peaceful, Quiet Place in the Busy City at the Singapore Conference Hall. Hailed by critics as a “true poet of the piano” with a “brilliant touch”, William Youn is an exceptional pianist. Born in Seoul, he studied music across Europe and the US. He also worked with legendary piano pedagogue Karl-Heinz Kämmerling and artists like Dmitri Bashkirov, who deeply inspired his playing. With an established international reputation, performing with renowned orchestras at prestigious halls and festivals is a norm for Youn. Besides being a soloist, he is passionate about chamber music and has collaborated with different musicians. Over the years, Youn released numerous CD recordings of works by Chopin, Mozart, Schumann, and more. His Mozart album also won the Pizzicato Supersonic Award. One of Youn’s most recent projects is the three-part recording of Schubert’s complete piano sonatas. This album was well-received, with Fono Forum praising the first two parts for their “flawless, perfectly realized naturalness”.
“Schubert’s music is for lonely souls. It moves and consoles its listeners, building them up again in their darkest moments and inviting them to dance and dream, to go for long walks and to hope.”
William Youn’s one-night-only debut recital features masterpieces from various composers. Combining virtuosic technique and subtle, emotionally sensitive playing, Youn will unleash his musical storytelling abilities by performing two classical period sonatas, a piano transcription, and several impressionistic pieces. Witness Youn as he brings the music alive by portraying contrasting moods and characters. With the rich and lyrical sounds produced by the C.Bechstein piano, the recital will be a delight for the ears. We are particularly excited about Youn’s renditions of the works of Franz Schubert, as he holds a soft spot in his heart for the composer’s works. He himself has said, “Schubert’s music is for lonely souls. It moves and consoles its listeners, building them up again in their darkest moments and inviting them to dance and dream, to go for long walks and to hope.” How apt for these hectic & turbulent times we live in now!
Programme:
F.SCHUBERT: Piano Sonata No.4 in A minor, D.537
F.SCHUBERT/F.LISZT: Ständchen, D 889
M.RAVEL: “Une barque sur l’ocean” and “Alborada del gracioso” from Miroirs, M.43
F.SCHUBERT: Piano Sonata No.20 in A Major, D.959
(Programme subject to change at the artist’s discretion)
Several of William Youn’s performances can be found here: Schumann Humoreske, Op. 20: I. Einfach; Sehr rasch und leicht (Excerpt): Schumann Humoreske, Op. 20: VII. Zum Beschluß (Excerpt): Schubert: Piano Sonatas (Interview): DURATION Approximately 90 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission. We are certainly looking forward to finding quiet moments in this busy city. This concert is part of a series of concerts in celebration of C. Bechstein’s 170th Anniversary. For more concerts and other events by C. Bechstein in Singapore, be sure to follow Bechstein Music World on Facebook & Instagram! Tickets are available at Ticketmaster. Readers of our Blog get an exclusive 20% off CAT 1 and CAT 2 tickets. Click here to get your discount code! About the Venue
The Singapore Conference Hall is a music oasis that resides along the bustling city street of Shenton Way and is the home base for the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, as well as Singapore’s largest European Piano showroom, Bechstein Music World.
25th March 2023 – We had a very special treat witnessing Japanese pianist Kotaro Fukuma make his Singapore Debut at the Victoria Concert Hall.
Renowned for his keen musicality, Fukuma brought out all the most wonderful nuances in his instrument for the night, a C. Bechstein D282 concert grand piano, generously provided by Bechstein Music World Singapore.
His debut recital in Singapore presented piano transcriptions and pieces from the Baroque period to the 20th century, from Bach, Mozart and Schumann to Debussy, Ravel and Saint Saens. The first half of the program featured a selection of composers from Germany and Austria
Kotaro Fukuma demonstrated masterful use of textures, keeping the listener on their toes. Each piece in his carefully curated program was executed with brilliance and finesse, colour, shape, clarity and refinement.
His playing is interesting and playful with wonderfully executed contrasts & rhythmic articulation, and pure joy evidenced in his playing.
Kotaro Fukuma’s Debut Recital in Singapore delighted and engaged even the youngest audience members.
His performance of Saint Saens’ Danse Macabre was commanding and captivating, even the youngest audience members stood intently watching Fukuma for every moment! He truly delivered on this performance – indeed a “mesmerising prince, touching our souls with his outstanding musicality, paired with the pure C. Bechstein sound.” Perfect combination.
Post-concert was no less exciting, with a long queue at the Meet-and-greet session, photos, enthusiastic discussions, and smiles all around.
Kotaro Fukuma is definitely a must-see performer. He is a delight to watch, and we look forward to his next performance in Singapore!
It’s been a while since we were last able to see our RSL examiners in person! Since our last in-person encounter with the examiners was way back in March 2020, we need a refresher on how the exams are going to be with our examiners in Singapore, so read on to see what it will be like to be face to face with your examiner again.With Face To Face Exams returning to Singapore, we take a look at what to expect when you come for your Exams in 2023! Before Your Exam Day
Set your practice routine and stick with it – Be sure to set aside time to practice all the different sections of the exam. Your Teacher will be able to help advise you on areas you need to focus on to improve your overall performance.
Practice your pieces, focusing on smoothing out the performances, working out your solos and fine tuning your techniques.
Make sure to work on your technical exercises ensuring that you are able to perform all the possible scales or rudiments in each group in time with the metronome click
Take time to work on the Unseen Tests too! Practice improvising over random backing tracks on the internet, or pick a random score to sight read. Maybe try to reproduce your favorite beats or melodies by ear to sharpen your aural skills, and don’t forget to brush up on a little music theory, and the fact files about your pieces in preparation for the General Musicianship Questions.
Rehearse the Exam with your Teacher – This will help you get a feel for the exam and help you prepare for possible challenges you may encounter, such as General Musicianship questions using different terms (e.g. crotchet = quarter note, makes = brands, etc.), or things like making adjustments to your drum kit. You can even practice how to greet your examiner and ask questions.
It always helps to rehearse the exam with your teacher.
Make a List of things you will need to bring. You can find a full list of the things you need to bring on your exam day in the Rockschool Exam Day Checklist.
Do your research and plan your route to the exam venue – RS Event Center’s Public Exam Venue is located on Level 2 at Block 51 Old Airport Road. Sound familiar?
If you’ve been assigned to our Public Exam Venue, we happen to share a building with one of Singapore’s oldest and most famous Hawker Centres! First opened in 1972 to resettle street hawkers around Kallang Estate, the Old Airport Road Food Centre remains one of Singapore’s favourite hawker stops for affordable local food. Named after the nearby Kallang Airport, Singapore’s first civilian airport, built by the British in 1937. Today, its three rows of back-to-back stalls are home to more than 160 cooked food stalls that prove handy to grab a snack or a cooling drink while waiting for your exam, or right after for some post-exam goodies.Our Exam Venue is on Level 2 of the Old Airport Road Food Centre & Shopping Mall.Rockschool Singapore @ RS Event Center is located between Dakota (CC8) and Mountbatten (CC7) MRT Stations, and bus services that pass by include 10, 16, 30, 31, 32, and 33.Open air and multi-storey carparks are available. Still unsure? Contact us for directions!What if I’m not assigned to the RS Event Center Venue?Remember to take a good look at your Exam Appointment Slip! Your exam date, time and location will be clearly stated.
Important reminder on Exam Venues!
Make sure you read your Exam Appointment Slip carefully to ensure you are reporting to the correct venue:Make sure you check your exam venue details on your appointment slip and research directions ahead of your exam date!Arriving at the Venue
Always aim to arrive at least 15 minutes before your assigned exam slot. This gives you time to check in to the exam venue and prepare your instrument and other gear while waiting for your turn.
Once at the Venue, a Steward will greet you and sign you in. You will need to present your Photo ID, Appointment Slip (pdf soft copy is accepted!), and Original Copy of your Exam Book for verification. Physical copy or digital version of the exam book is accepted. For digital versions, RSL will make note of the authorisation code found at the edge of the page, so make sure that it is visible.
Once you’re signed in, the Steward will direct you to your designated waiting area.
We’re pretty stoked to get back into Face-To-Face interaction with our RSL Examiners again!Wait! Do I get to warm up before my exam? Depending on the Exam Venue, a warm up room may not always be available, so do prepare accordingly and warm up before heading to your exam. Practicing your scales or rudiments to quietly warm up while waiting your turn is always a good idea! Starting the Exam When your turn comes, the Examiner, or other staff member will call you into the exam room. Make sure you bring only what you need into the Exam Room.
Drummers, just bring in your Exam Book, drum sticks and any other gear that you have informed the centre ahead of your exam day that you will be bringing.
Guitar, Bass, and Ukulele players, make sure your instrument is out of the case, tuned and ready to go with any cables & adapters you may need. The idea is to take less time to set up and give you more time to focus on your exam.
Remember to greet your examiner as you walk into the room. The Examiner will usually ask you to check that your name is spelled correctly before starting the exam.Lastly, Enjoy the Process! – Remember that RSL’s examiners want to see you do well on your exam. If you are unsure of any instructions, just ask your examiner.After Your Exam Relax and wait for your results! Results for Singapore usually take around 3-4 weeks after the end of an exam period to release, so sit tight and keep the music journey going. 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
Singapore is full of exciting events this quarter, and the upcoming performance by Japanese pianist Kotaro Fukuma is sure to be a great addition to the scene!
“A fabulous artist… and a prince among peers” – The Independent
Born in Tokyo, Kotaro Fukuma has displayed limitless potential, clinching prestigious awards in international competitions. His career flourished after winning the First Prize and the Chopin Prize at the 15th Cleveland International Piano Competition at the age of 20.
Currently, he tours five continents, including Asia, Africa, Europe, North and South America.
Since Kotaro studied music in France and has mentors like Mitsuko Uchida, Richard Goode, Maria Joao Pires, he presents highly refined music. Kotaro performs in major concert venues, and works with the world’s finest orchestras and conductors. Furthermore, he has released eighteen commercial CDs (several released by renowned labels like Naxos) and often appears in music magazines like Gramophone.
Kotaro Fukuma will be performing on a C. Bechstein D282 Concert Grand Piano
Kotaro Fukuma’s debut recital presents piano transcriptions and pieces from the Baroque period to the 20th century. Join him in exploring your most beloved classical repertoire while savouring the refreshing melodies produced by the C.Bechstein piano. Then, delve deep into Kotaro’s world of impressionistic French music as he paints images through different colours and textures to give audiences a captivating listening experience.
Like a mesmerising prince, Kotaro will touch your soul with his outstanding musicality, paired with the pure C. Bechstein sound. Strap in for a splendid evening of serenade music that inspires and leaves an unforgettable impression, at least for some time.
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!
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.
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.
Rising Star – 18 year old pianist Yunchan Lim on a C. Bechstein D282 at the Martha Argerich & Friends concert in Singapore on 9th November 2022
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!”
Yunchan Lim at the Van Cliburn Piano Competition held at Fort Worth, Texas, USA
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.
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.
“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.
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).
One with the Orchestra – pianist Yunchan Lim fully immerses himself into the music with the Orchestra of the Music Makers.
