Singapore Symphony Orchestra made its highly anticipated debut on Sunday afternoon at the QPAC Concert Hall to an almost capacity crowd, presenting the Romantic Masterpieces of Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Koh. The performance was the last stop on a national tour, which saw the orchestra perform at Sydney Opera House and Hamer Hall Melbourne. The romantically themed pieces aptly coincided with Valentine’s Day.
The Singapore Symphony Orchestra turns 46 in 2025 and has gained international recognition, being placed on BBC Music Magazine’s list of the world’s best orchestras in 2022. Under the baton of Quantedge Music Director Maestro Hans Graf, they showed us why they made that list, presenting Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony and Brahms’ Double Concerto for Violin and Cello. The latter was performed by 18-year-old Singaporean violin sensation Chloe Chua, and SSO Principal Cellist, Ng Pei-Sian, who was born in Australia. (Also in the orchestra was Ng Pei-San’s brother, Ng Pei-Jee as Guest Principal Cellist.)
Up first though was Singaporean composer Koh Cheng Jin’s award winning piece, Luciola singapura, featuring the distinctive sound of the Chinese instrument, yangqin played by guest musician Patrick Ngo. This traditional Chinese dulcimer features alongside the harp (played by Principal Gulnara Mashurova), piano (played by guest musician Nicholas Loh), trumpets, and a diverse array of percussion instruments.
Koh’s unique instrumentation is fresh and exciting, vividly portraying the bioluminescence of a new species of Singaporean firefly, discovered the same year the work was commissioned. The piece creates an auditory experience filled with brilliant scintillations and light-hearted effects, a joy to experience live and a wonderful way to start the concert.
Brahms Double Concerto was up next (this piece was his last orchestral work) and it was entrancing to watch these two outstanding musicians on stage together. Ng Pei-San’s expressive performance was impossible to look away from. The connection he and Chua had was incredible to watch, alongside Hans Graf’s passionate command of the orchestra.
I found myself completely lulled by the serene beauty of the lyrical and expressive second movement Andante. The lively and energetic finale was followed by a completely charming encore duet of Waltzing Matilda. It was a touching way to end the first half of the concert.
The second half of the concert belonged to Tchaikovsky, his Fifth Symphony exploding with drama. A deeply expressive and emotionally charged piece, the audience was taken on a journey from darkness to triumph.
The recurring “fate” theme, introduced in the first movement, weaves through the symphony, evolving from brooding despair to a grand, victorious conclusion. As the second movement came to an exquisitely gentle ending, a mobile phone ringtone cut through at the most inopportune time. Graf was visibly annoyed, but the moment quickly passed.
Passionate, dramatic, and richly orchestrated, Symphony No. 5 is one of Tchaikovsky’s most powerful and enduring works. The audience leapt to their feet at the concert’s conclusion and were treated to two short encores, Tchaikovsky’s Ecossaise from Eugene Onegin and Scriabin’s Reverie, Op. 24.
The concert was a resounding triumph, showcasing Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s exceptional artistry and versatility. Furthermore, it highlighted SSO’s commitment to musical excellence, reinforcing its reputation as a leading orchestra on the global stage. It was a privilege to be there.
Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s Romantic Masterpieces concert was presented by QPAC as part of BrisAsia Festival 2025. Presented by Brisbane City Council, produced by Sounds Across Oceans.
Website: https://www.sso.org.sg/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/singaporesymphony/
Photo credits: Peter Wallis
