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The '''Singapore Symphony Orchestra''' is Singapore's flagship orchestra. It has earned an international reputation for its orchestral virtuosity, having garnered sterling reviews for its overseas tours and many successful recordings. It makes its performing home at the 1,800-seat [[Esplanade Concert Hall]]. More intimate works and all outreach and community performances take place at the 673-seat [[Victoria Concert Hall]], the home of the SSO. The orchestra performs 100 concerts a year, and its versatile repertoire spans all-time favourites and orchestral masterpieces to exciting cutting-edge premieres.
The '''Singapore Symphony Orchestra''' is a symphony orchestra based in Singapore. Its principal concert venue is the [[Esplanade Concert Hall]]. The orchestra also gives concerts at the [[Victoria Concert Hall]], and overall performs about 100 concerts per year. The orchestra's current music director is [[Lan Shui]], since 1997.

Since [[Lan Shui]] assumed the position of Music Director in 1997, the SSO has performed in Europe, Asia and the United States. In 2016 the SSO was invited to perform at the Dresden Music Festival and the Prague Spring International Music Festival. This successful five-city tour of Germany and Prague also included the SSO's return to the Berlin Philharmonie after six years. In 2014 the SSO performed at the 120th BBC Proms in London. The SSO has also performed in China on multiple occasions. The orchestra was formed in 1979 under the patronage of Dr. [[Goh Keng Swee]], with [[Choo Hoey]] as its Resident Conductor from 1979 to 1996.

Notable SSO releases under the BIS label include a Rachmaninov series, a Debussy disc, Seascapes featuring sea-themed music by Debussy, Frank Bridge, Glazunov and Zhou Long, and the first-ever cycle of Tcherepnin's piano concertos and symphonies. The SSO has collaborated with such great artists as Lorin Maazel, Charles Dutoit, Gennady Rozhdestvensky, Neeme Jarvi, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Lang Lang, Yo-Yo Ma, Leonidas Kavakos and Gil Shaham.



==History==
==History==
[[File:Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, Singapore - 20101126.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2||[[Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall]], home of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra since 1980]]
[[File:Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, Singapore - 20101126.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2||[[Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall]], home of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra since 1980]]
There were a number of orchestras formed in Singapore in the colonial period and after independence. One of these, also called Singapore Symphony Orchestra, was formed in 1945 by the Scottish composer [[Erik Chisholm]] in his capacity as [[Entertainments National Service Association|ENSA]] Music Director for South East Asia.<ref>{{cite book |url= https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=nR6oBQAAQBAJ&pg=PR23#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=The operas of Leos Janacek: The Commonwealth and International Library: Music Division|author= Erik Chisholm |page=xxiii |publisher=Pergamon|year= 1971 |isbn= 978-1483117430 }}</ref> Some of its members were from the British army or air force bands, and though it was short-lived it gave over fifty concerts and played with some notable soloists such as the violinist [[Szymon Goldberg]]. After that, until 1979, all orchestras in Singapore were composed largely of amateur musicians. Orchestras of the early periods included the orchestras of Singapore Musical Society, Singapore Chamber Ensemble, Singapore Youth Orchestra, as well as the short-lived Singapore National Orchestra formed by National Theatre Trust in the 1970s.<ref name="goh keng swee">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7uaO_mij7pEC&pg=PA281#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=Goh Keng Swee: A Legacy of Public Service|editors= Emrys Chew, Chong Guan Kwa |pages=281–285 |publisher=WSPC |year= 2012 |isbn=978-9814390750 }}</ref>
Several orchestras were formed in Singapore in the colonial period and after independence. One of these, also named the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, was formed in 1945 by the Scottish composer [[Erik Chisholm]] in his capacity as [[Entertainments National Service Association|ENSA]] Music Director for South East Asia.<ref>{{cite book |url= https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=nR6oBQAAQBAJ&pg=PR23#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=The operas of Leos Janacek: The Commonwealth and International Library: Music Division|author= Erik Chisholm |page=xxiii |publisher=Pergamon|year= 1971 |isbn= 978-1483117430 }}</ref> Some of its members were from the British army or air force bands, and though it was short-lived, it gave over fifty concerts and played with such soloists as the violinist [[Szymon Goldberg]]. Subsequently, until 1979, all orchestras in Singapore were composed largely of amateur musicians. Orchestras of the early periods included the orchestras of Singapore Musical Society, Singapore Chamber Ensemble, Singapore Youth Orchestra, as well as the short-lived Singapore National Orchestra formed by National Theatre Trust in the 1970s.<ref name="goh keng swee">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7uaO_mij7pEC&pg=PA281#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=Goh Keng Swee: A Legacy of Public Service|editors= Emrys Chew, Chong Guan Kwa |pages=281–285 |publisher=WSPC |year= 2012 |isbn=978-9814390750 }}</ref>


In 1973, at the opening ceremony of the [[Japanese Garden, Singapore|Japanese Garden]] in [[Jurong]], the then defence minister Dr. [[Goh Keng Swee]] described the absence of a professional symphony orchestra in Singapore as "a minor scandal".<ref name="handbook">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i3_M0x1X8AoC&pg=PA344#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=The Oxford Handbook of Children's Musical Cultures, Volume 2 |editors= by Patricia Shehan Campbell, Trevor Wiggins |publisher=Oxford University Press |date= 2013 |page=344 |isbn=978-0199737635 }}</ref> An initial proposal to establish a national symphony orchestra however was not accepted as it did not plan for the inclusion of Singaporean musicians.<ref name="straits times 1980">{{cite news |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19800120-1.2.74.1.aspx |title=Happy Birthday, SSO |date=20 January 1980 |work=The Straits Times }}</ref> In 1977, a largely amateur Singapore Philharmonic Orchestra was formed under the leadership of Yoshinao Osawa, and its success spurred further interest in the idea of a national symphony orchestra.<ref name="goh keng swee"/> After consulting with conductor Choo Hoey about the feasibility of setting up an orchestra that would include Singaporean musicians, Goh Keng Swee persuaded the Cabinet to support the establishment of a professional orchestra.<ref name="straits times 1980"/> The orchestra would be supported by public fund, and intended to serve as a flagship arts company for the enrichment of the local culture scene.<ref name="handbook"/>
In 1973, at the opening ceremony of the [[Japanese Garden, Singapore|Japanese Garden]] in [[Jurong]], the then-defence minister Dr. [[Goh Keng Swee]] described the absence of a professional symphony orchestra in Singapore as "a minor scandal".<ref name="handbook">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i3_M0x1X8AoC&pg=PA344#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=The Oxford Handbook of Children's Musical Cultures, Volume 2 |editors= by Patricia Shehan Campbell, Trevor Wiggins |publisher=Oxford University Press |date= 2013 |page=344 |isbn=978-0199737635 }}</ref> An initial proposal to establish a national symphony orchestra was not accepted, as it did not plan for the inclusion of Singaporean musicians.<ref name="straits times 1980">{{cite news |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19800120-1.2.74.1.aspx |title=Happy Birthday, SSO |date=20 January 1980 |work=The Straits Times }}</ref> In 1977, a largely amateur Singapore Philharmonic Orchestra was formed under the leadership of Yoshinao Osawa. Its success spurred further interest in the idea of a national symphony orchestra.<ref name="goh keng swee"/> After consulting with conductor [[Choo Hoey]] about the feasibility of setting up an orchestra that would include Singaporean musicians, Goh Keng Swee persuaded the Cabinet to support the establishment of a professional orchestra.<ref name="straits times 1980"/> The orchestra would be supported by public funds, and was intended to serve as a flagship arts company for the enrichment of the local culture scene.<ref name="handbook"/>
[[File:The Esplanade 3, Singapore, Dec 05.JPG|thumb|upright=1.1|Esplanade, main performance venue for SSO since 2003]]
[[File:The Esplanade 3, Singapore, Dec 05.JPG|thumb|upright=1.1|Esplanade, main performance venue for SSO since 2003]]


In 1979, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) was instituted, and its first Resident Conductor was [[Choo Hoey]]. The orchestra had 41 members, 14 of whom were Singaporean, and it gave its first performance at the [[Singapore Conference Hall]] on 24 January 1979.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19790124-1.2.28.aspx |title=Symphony orchestra's debut night—sell-out for all concerts |date=24 January 1979 |authors=Elena Chong and Wai Chee Leong |work=The Straits Times }}</ref> The programme for its inaugural concert included[[Rossini]]'s Overture to ''[[The Barber of Seville]]'', Beethoven's [[Piano Concerto No. 5 (Beethoven)|Piano Concerto No. 5]] (soloist Ong Lip Tat),<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Plush/Story/A1Story20130301-405579.html |title=Noted pianist Ong Lip Tat dies at 57 |date=March 3, 2013 |work=AsianOne}}</ref> to the Chinese orchestral piece ''[[Dance of the Yao People]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_853_2005-01-11.html |title=Singapore Symphony Orchestra |work=Singapore Infomedia |author=Jan Yap|publisher=National Library Board Singapore }}</ref> The [[Singapore Symphony Chorus]] was also formed in 1980 so that choral work may be performed with the orchestra. For its inaugural concert, the chorus performed [[Brahms]]' ''[[A German Requiem (Brahms)|A German Requiem]]'' in English.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v9QEBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA167#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=Southeast Asian Personalities of Chinese Descent: A Biographical Dictionary |editor= by Leo Suryadinata }}</ref> In 1980, the [[Victoria Memorial Hall]] became home to the orchestra. In 2003, the orchestra moved to its current performance venue the [[Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay|Esplanade]]. The orchestra and chorus performed [[Beethoven's Ninth Symphony]] at the venue's official opening in 2002.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ueqOKqG8R-AC&pg=PT200#v=onepage&q&f=false |title= Patriotism and Nationalism in Music Education |editors= David G Hebert, Alexandra Kertz-Welzel |publisher=Ashgate Pub Co |year= 2012 |isbn=978-1409430803 }}</ref> The SSO expanded to its target of about 90 musicians by the early 1990s,<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uwohR6juj-MC&pg=PT166#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=Goh Keng Swee: A Public Career Remembered |editor= Barry Desker |author=Bernard Tan Tiong Gie |pages=138–139 |publisher=World Scientific Publishing/S Rajaratnam School Of International Studies |date= 2011 | isbn=978-9814291385 }}</ref> and now has 96 members in the orchestra.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sso.org.sg/page.php?CategoryID=29 |title=SSO STORY |work=Singapore Symphony Orchestra }}</ref>
In 1979, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) was instituted, and its first Resident Conductor was [[Choo Hoey]]. The orchestra had 41 members, 14 of whom were Singaporean, and it gave its first performance at the [[Singapore Conference Hall]] on 24 January 1979.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19790124-1.2.28.aspx |title=Symphony orchestra's debut night—sell-out for all concerts |date=24 January 1979 |authors=Elena Chong and Wai Chee Leong |work=The Straits Times }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Plush/Story/A1Story20130301-405579.html |title=Noted pianist Ong Lip Tat dies at 57 |date=March 3, 2013 |work=AsianOne}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_853_2005-01-11.html |title=Singapore Symphony Orchestra |work=Singapore Infomedia |author=Jan Yap|publisher=National Library Board Singapore }}</ref> The [[Singapore Symphony Chorus]] was then formed in 1980. In 1980, the [[Victoria Memorial Hall]] became home to the orchestra.


Choo Hoey stepped down as Music Director in July 1996, and now holds the position of the SSO's Conductor Emeritus. [[Lan Shui]] became the orchestra's next music director in 1997. In 2003, the orchestra moved to its current performance venue, the [[Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay|Esplanade]]. The SSO expanded to its target of about 90 musicians by the early 1990s.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uwohR6juj-MC&pg=PT166#v=onepage&q&f=false title=Goh Keng Swee: A Public Career Remembered |editor= Barry Desker |author=Bernard Tan Tiong Gie |pages=138–139 |publisher=World Scientific Publishing/S Rajaratnam School Of International Studies |date= 2011 | isbn=978-9814291385 }}</ref> The SSO made its debut at the [[BBC Proms]] in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/sep/03/prom-61-singapore-symphony-orchestra-shui-review-andreas-haefliger |title=Prom 61: Singapore Symphony Orchestra/Shui – a tour de force for Haefliger |author=Tim Ashley |work=The Guardian |date= 3 September 2014}}</ref>
Choo Hoey stepped down as Music Director in July 1996, and now holds the position of the SSO's Conductor Emeritus. Choo was succeeded by [[Lan Shui]] who remains the current Music Director.


==Concerts and repertoire==
[[File:Singapore Symphony Orchestra - Concert in Park.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|SSO Concert at the [[Singapore Botanic Gardens]]]]
[[File:Singapore Symphony Orchestra - Concert in Park.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|SSO Concert at the [[Singapore Botanic Gardens]]]]
The SSO performs 100 concerts a year. Its versatile and diverse repertoire spans all-time favourites and orchestral masterpieces to exciting cutting-edge premieres. Bridging the musical traditions of East and West, Singaporean and Asian musicians and composers are regularly showcased in the concert season.

The SSO makes its performing home at the [[Esplanade Concert Hall]]. More intimate works and all outreach and community performances take place at the [[Victoria Concert Hall]]. The orchestra is also well-loved for its free outdoor appearances at the [[Singapore Botanic Gardens|Botanic Gardens]] and [[Gardens by the Bay]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.singaporevr.com/vrs/sso/SSOBotanicGardens.html |title=Singapore Symphony Orchestra: Performances at Singapore Botanic Gardens |work=Singapore VR }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://stcommunities.straitstimes.com/music/2014/08/11/more-6000-visitors-enjoy-sso-concert-singapore-botanic-gardens |title=More than 6,000 visitors enjoy SSO concert at Singapore Botanic Gardens |work=The Straits Times |date=11 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldeventlistings.com/en/singapour/events/singapore-symphony-orchestra-at-the-gardens-by-the-bay-concert-e-1156260 |title=Singapore Symphony Orchestra at the Gardens by the Bay, concert |work=World Event Listing }}</ref> The orchestra has performed in Europe, Asia and the United States. Notable concerts include performances at the Prague Spring International Music Festival, [[Berlin Philharmonie]], New York's [[Avery Fisher Hall]], Beijing's Poly Theatre, and [[The BBC Proms]] in London.<ref>{{cite news |url= |title=Orchestra in Development, Two Soloists in Their Prime |author=Bernard Holland |work=The New York Times |date=4 March 2005 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/sep/03/prom-61-singapore-symphony-orchestra-shui-review-andreas-haefliger |title=Prom 61: Singapore Symphony Orchestra/Shui – a tour de force for Haefliger |author=Tim Ashley |work=The Guardian |date= 3 September 2014}}</ref>

The SSO has collaborated with many great international artists.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mRkgkUdWn9wC&pg=PA155&lpg=PA155#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=The Rough Guide to Singapore |publisher=Rough Guides |pages=155–156 }}</ref> Among the soloists who have performed with the orchestra are [[Stephen Hough]], [[Yo-Yo Ma]], [[Emmanuel Ax]], [[Sarah Chang]], [[Anne-Sophie Mutter]], [[Kiri Te Kanawa]], [[Luciano Pavarotti]], [[Placido Domingo]] and [[José Carreras]]. Guest conductors include [[Lorin Maazel]].<ref name=yap/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.harrisonparrott.com/news/2011/11/stephen-hough-begins-residency-singapore-symphony-orchestra |title=Stephen Hough begins residency with Singapore Symphony Orchestra |work=HarrisonParrott |date=21 November 2011 }}</ref>


The SSO has made many recordings with [[BIS Records]] and other labels. These include the first recording of the complete cycle of [[Alexander Tcherepnin]]'s six piano concertos and four symphonies on BIS.<ref>{{cite news | author=Andrew Clements | title=Tcherepnin Piano Concertos: Ogawa/Singapore Symphony/Shui | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/oct/24/classicalmusicandopera.shopping1 | work=The Guardian | date=2003-10-24 | accessdate=2016-10-03}}</ref> Other releases include recordings of works by [[Rachmaninov]] released in 2012 and 2013 with [[Yevgeny Sudbin]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/classicalmusic/9188024/Rachmaninov-Symphony-No3-Rhapsody-on-a-Theme-ofPaganini-CD-review.html |title=Rachmaninov: Symphony No 3; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, CD review |author=Geoffrey Norris |date=5 April 2012 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/classicalcdreviews/10159649/Rachmaninov-Symphony-No1-Piano-Concerto-No-1-review.html |title=Rachmaninov: Symphony No 1; Piano Concerto No 1, review |author=Geoffrey Norris |date=4 July 2013 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}</ref>
==Recordings==


==Music directors==
The SSO has made many recordings with [[BIS Records]] and other labels.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/a/-/2770/Singapore-Symphony-Orchestra/1 |title=Singapore Symphony Orchestra |work=Presto Classical }}</ref> Its 2007 recordings of [[Claude Debussy]]'s ''[[La mer (Debussy)|La Mer]]'' was described by [[BBC Music Magazine]] as "an unequivocally world-class performance of Debussy's masterpiece" and was awarded the maximum five stars.<ref name=yap>{{cite news |url=http://www.sso.org.sg/files/SSOSTArticle22Jan09.pdf |title=Classic Act |work=The Straits Times |date=January 22, 2009 |author=Stephanie Yap}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/music/classical/tickets/singapore-symphony-orchestra-51611 |title=Singapore Symphony Orchestra |work=Southbank Centre |date=11 October 2010 }}</ref> In 2008 they released the first recording of the complete cycle of [[Alexander Tcherepnin]]'s six piano concertos and four symphonies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2011/Mar11/tcherepnin_bis1717.htm |title=Review: Alexander Tcherepnin (1899-1977) Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos |work=MusicWeb International }}</ref> Other notable releases include recordings of works by [[Rachmaninov]] released in 2012 and 2013 with [[Yevgeny Sudbin]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/classicalmusic/9188024/Rachmaninov-Symphony-No3-Rhapsody-on-a-Theme-ofPaganini-CD-review.html |title=Rachmaninov: Symphony No 3; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, CD review |author=Geoffrey Norris |date=5 April 2012 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/classicalcdreviews/10159649/Rachmaninov-Symphony-No1-Piano-Concerto-No-1-review.html |title=Rachmaninov: Symphony No 1; Piano Concerto No 1, review |author=Geoffrey Norris |date=4 July 2013 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}</ref>
* Choo Hoey (1979-1996)
* Lan Shui (1997-present)


==See also==
==See also==
Line 43: Line 34:


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{cite web |url=http://www.sso.org.sg |title=Singapore Symphony Orchestra}} - Official website
* [http://www.sso.org.sg Official website of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra]
*{{cite web |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_853_2005-01-11.html |title=Singapore Symphony Orchestra |work=Singapore Infomedia |author=Jan Yap|publisher=National Library Board Singapore }}
*{{cite web |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_853_2005-01-11.html |title=Singapore Symphony Orchestra |work=Singapore Infomedia |author=Jan Yap|publisher=National Library Board Singapore }}
* [http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2011/Mar11/tcherepnin_bis1717.htm Rob Barnett, 'Review: Alexander Tcherepnin (1899-1977) Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos' MusicWeb International blog, 11 March 2011]


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

Revision as of 23:22, 3 October 2016

Singapore Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra
Founded1979
LocationSingapore
Concert hallEsplanade Concert Hall
Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall
Music directorLan Shui
Websitewww.sso.org.sg

The Singapore Symphony Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Singapore. Its principal concert venue is the Esplanade Concert Hall. The orchestra also gives concerts at the Victoria Concert Hall, and overall performs about 100 concerts per year. The orchestra's current music director is Lan Shui, since 1997.

History

Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, home of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra since 1980

Several orchestras were formed in Singapore in the colonial period and after independence. One of these, also named the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, was formed in 1945 by the Scottish composer Erik Chisholm in his capacity as ENSA Music Director for South East Asia.[1] Some of its members were from the British army or air force bands, and though it was short-lived, it gave over fifty concerts and played with such soloists as the violinist Szymon Goldberg. Subsequently, until 1979, all orchestras in Singapore were composed largely of amateur musicians. Orchestras of the early periods included the orchestras of Singapore Musical Society, Singapore Chamber Ensemble, Singapore Youth Orchestra, as well as the short-lived Singapore National Orchestra formed by National Theatre Trust in the 1970s.[2]

In 1973, at the opening ceremony of the Japanese Garden in Jurong, the then-defence minister Dr. Goh Keng Swee described the absence of a professional symphony orchestra in Singapore as "a minor scandal".[3] An initial proposal to establish a national symphony orchestra was not accepted, as it did not plan for the inclusion of Singaporean musicians.[4] In 1977, a largely amateur Singapore Philharmonic Orchestra was formed under the leadership of Yoshinao Osawa. Its success spurred further interest in the idea of a national symphony orchestra.[2] After consulting with conductor Choo Hoey about the feasibility of setting up an orchestra that would include Singaporean musicians, Goh Keng Swee persuaded the Cabinet to support the establishment of a professional orchestra.[4] The orchestra would be supported by public funds, and was intended to serve as a flagship arts company for the enrichment of the local culture scene.[3]

Esplanade, main performance venue for SSO since 2003

In 1979, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) was instituted, and its first Resident Conductor was Choo Hoey. The orchestra had 41 members, 14 of whom were Singaporean, and it gave its first performance at the Singapore Conference Hall on 24 January 1979.[5][6][7] The Singapore Symphony Chorus was then formed in 1980. In 1980, the Victoria Memorial Hall became home to the orchestra.

Choo Hoey stepped down as Music Director in July 1996, and now holds the position of the SSO's Conductor Emeritus. Lan Shui became the orchestra's next music director in 1997. In 2003, the orchestra moved to its current performance venue, the Esplanade. The SSO expanded to its target of about 90 musicians by the early 1990s.[8] The SSO made its debut at the BBC Proms in 2014.[9]

SSO Concert at the Singapore Botanic Gardens

The SSO has made many recordings with BIS Records and other labels. These include the first recording of the complete cycle of Alexander Tcherepnin's six piano concertos and four symphonies on BIS.[10] Other releases include recordings of works by Rachmaninov released in 2012 and 2013 with Yevgeny Sudbin.[11][12]

Music directors

  • Choo Hoey (1979-1996)
  • Lan Shui (1997-present)

See also

Music of Singapore

References

  1. ^ Erik Chisholm (1971). The operas of Leos Janacek: The Commonwealth and International Library: Music Division. Pergamon. p. xxiii. ISBN 978-1483117430.
  2. ^ a b Goh Keng Swee: A Legacy of Public Service. WSPC. 2012. pp. 281–285. ISBN 978-9814390750. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |editors= ignored (|editor= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b The Oxford Handbook of Children's Musical Cultures, Volume 2. Oxford University Press. 2013. p. 344. ISBN 978-0199737635. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |editors= ignored (|editor= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b "Happy Birthday, SSO". The Straits Times. 20 January 1980.
  5. ^ "Symphony orchestra's debut night—sell-out for all concerts". The Straits Times. 24 January 1979. {{cite news}}: Cite uses deprecated parameter |authors= (help)
  6. ^ "Noted pianist Ong Lip Tat dies at 57". AsianOne. March 3, 2013.
  7. ^ Jan Yap. "Singapore Symphony Orchestra". Singapore Infomedia. National Library Board Singapore.
  8. ^ Bernard Tan Tiong Gie (2011). Barry Desker (ed.). World Scientific Publishing/S Rajaratnam School Of International Studies. pp. 138–139. ISBN 978-9814291385 title=Goh Keng Swee: A Public Career Remembered https://books.google.com/books?id=uwohR6juj-MC&pg=PT166#v=onepage&q&f=false title=Goh Keng Swee: A Public Career Remembered. {{cite book}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help); Missing pipe in: |url= (help)
  9. ^ Tim Ashley (3 September 2014). "Prom 61: Singapore Symphony Orchestra/Shui – a tour de force for Haefliger". The Guardian.
  10. ^ Andrew Clements (2003-10-24). "Tcherepnin Piano Concertos: Ogawa/Singapore Symphony/Shui". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  11. ^ Geoffrey Norris (5 April 2012). "Rachmaninov: Symphony No 3; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, CD review". The Daily Telegraph.
  12. ^ Geoffrey Norris (4 July 2013). "Rachmaninov: Symphony No 1; Piano Concerto No 1, review". The Daily Telegraph.

External links