Date: 28.12.2024 20:00 Saturday
Venue : Cathedral
Conductor: Quek Ling Kiong
Orchestra: Macao Chinese Orchestra
Chorus: Dolce Voce
The Principal Conductor of Singapore Chinese Orchestra, Quek Ling Kiong, and the orchestra will present a series of pieces that combine Western musical elements with innovative arrangements to bring joy to the quiet and peaceful winter season. The piece “Winter Solstice”, which is rich in Chinese characteristics, conveys the warmth of winter with its beautiful and lyrical melody. Summer Wonderland is a joyful blend of classical and pop music elements. The Chinese Orchestra and Macao Coro Dolce will perform many familiar songs together, wishing that the sound of music will be like the warmth of the morning sun shining in the heart and chasing away the cold.
Approximately 1 hour, no interval
【Programme Introduction】
“St Mary the Virgin” Comp. Franz SchubertArr. Wang Yunfei
This piece is adapted from Ave Maria by Franz Schubert
“Amazing Grace” Arr. Eric James Watson
One of the most famous hymns, also named Amazing Salvation.
“Winter Solstice” Comp. Zhang Yima
This work portrays the cold winter with warm language. On the first day of Winter Solstice, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the shortest day and the longest night in the year, as the sun shines directly at the Tropic of Capricorn. From then on, a new cycle of the alternation of the lengths of day and night starts. “Time passes by like the river, flowing away day and night.”
“How to Train Your Dragon” Comp. John Powell Arr. Sulwyn Lok
The epic DreamWorks beauty of John Powell’s score for How to Train Your Dragon comes alive again in this version specially for the Chinese orchestra. Chinese instruments feel right at home in the Irish and Celtic-influenced music, drawing out the flavors in an all-new way.
This suite features three iconic pieces from the film: This Is Berk, Romantic Flight, and Test Drive.
“Familiar Christmas Tunes” Comp. Chen Ning-chi
“Familiar Christmas Tunes” is a composition from the early 1970s by the arranger, who had just moved from mainland China to Hong Kong. It was during the Christmas season, with the streets exceptionally lively, adorned with gorgeous decorations, and filled with Christmas music. At that time, Chinese music was flourishing, and a friend suggested creating Western Christmas tunes with a Chinese musical ensemble, blending the festive spirit of East and West. Consequently, three iconic pieces were chosen: ‘Joy to the World’, ‘Silent Night’, and ‘Jingle Bells’. These were arranged into a suite with moderato, adagio, and allegro, respectively, to form the ‘Familiar Christmas Tunes’, evoking the joy that the Christmas holiday brings to people.
“Summer Wonderland” Arr. Phang Kok Jun
Make no mistake – despite it’s tropical sounding title, this is a medley of Christmas songs comprising of “Frosty the Snowman”, “Let it Snow”, “White Christmas”, and “Winter Wonderland”, introduced by a quotation of the Chinese orchestra classic, Lu Liang Hui’s “Dong” (Winter) at the very beginning.
This ironic selection of songs related and inspired by snow hopes to bring some wintry feels into Macao, turning this summer wonderland into a winter one!
Choir and Orchestra “Christmas With Johnny Marks” Arr. Yeo Puay Hian
This piece of work is a suite of Christmas songs comprising familiar favourites “A Holly Jolly Christmas”, “I Heard the Bells on X’mas Day”, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Rockin Around the X’mas Tree”, and is presented by Victoria Chorale and the Orchestra.
Choir and Orchestra “The Natural World of Ghibli” Comp. Joe Hisaishi, Arr. Sulwyn Lok
Adapting music from the Studio Ghibli universe, “The Natural World of Ghibli” is a suite for Chinese orchestra dedicated to our Earth and Mother Nature. The suite opens with an ode to and reflection upon our world, featuring music from “Princess Mononoke”. This first movement highlights various highly characteristic Chinese instruments, such as the sanxian, banhu and guanzi, as the music calls out to the world. The second movement, featuring music from “My Neighbour Totoro”, picks up from the pensive mood, and responds with a celebration of all things living!
Choir and Orchestra “Auld Lang Syne” (World Premiere) Scottish folk song Arr. Jon Lin Chua
“Auld Lang Syne” is a Scottish folk song, with lyrics written by the Scottish poet Robert Burns in the 18th century. This piece has been passed down through the ages and has become widely known around the world. Due to its lyrics, which embody the theme of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, this song is commonly regarded as a must-sing piece on New Year’s Eve.
