SSO Concerts in 2019

I haven't been to SSO concerts since 2003, that's 16 years of me missing in action. All these years I survived on listening to Symphony 92.4 and my CDs. So when Mr Sim made the Band girls attend the National Day concert, I made my purchase as well since I needed to pick her up from Esplanade. Attended a few more concerts thereafter. I'm not sure why I didn't think about going for the same concerts when che-che was in Band. Maybe coz it'll be easier if the school 'babysit' lil'' one instead of me. *keke*  

10th Aug - SSO NATIONAL DAY CONCERT 2019

Celebrate Singapore’s National Day in this all-Singaporean showcase of homegrown musical flair. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra joins forces with the Singapore Symphony Chorus and Youth Choir directed by conductor Joshua Tan, for a jubilant evening of familiar favourites and new inspirations. This is home, truly, and our music will tell us so.

PROGRAMME

A. DIETZ (ARR. BERTRAM WEE) : Raffles March (World Premiere)

TSAO CHIEH : March (Colonial Days) from Singapore, Symphonic Suite for Large Orchestra

KELLY TANG : MONTAGE: Concerto for Jazz Piano & Orchestra

- Intermission -

TONY MAKAROME : Jewel of Srivijaya for Mridangam, Tabla and Orchestra (World Premiere)

LEE JINJUN : Kampong Overture (World Premiere)

LAM CHAO PHANG (ARR. LEONG YOONG PIN) : The Awakening

VARIOUS COMPOSERS (ARR. PHOON YEW TIEN) : March On - A Medley of NS Songs* (World Premiere)

TAN, K.C. (ARR. KELLY TANG) : Voices from the Heart

LEE JINJUN : Our Singapore Dream* (World Premiere)

DICK LEE (ARR. KELLY TANG) : Home*

In our preferred Premier Box seats where we can read the scores 

Why is she all the way at the back?

Such touching rendition of our songs. Proud to be a Singaporean until I start cursing over the education system, taxes and ERP gantries.

Singapore Symphony Chorus and Youth Choir - made me rekindle fond memories of my choir days with Mrs Helen Lie and Mrs Karen Jalleh as our choir mistresses. 

Pic taken from SSO FB page

30th Aug - MOONRISE AND AURORA (A FILM AND MUSIC EXPERIENCE)

Wondrous is the bright, the moonrise, the northern light. Step into a marvellous conjunction of film and music to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon-landing. Astronomer, experimental photographer, science educator and visual artist José Salgado, well-known for combining science and symphony, is our guest presenter in his two films Moonrise and the Aurora Triptych. An awe-inspiring experience not to be missed.

This was something that I wanted to go, so I booked the tickets without asking if che-che would want to go with me. But would she reject anything that is free (for her) and a chance to escape from studying?  

PROGRAMME

JOSÉ FRANCISCO SALGADO

Moonrise a film by José Salgado (with live music from Ravel's Daphnis & Chloé)

JOSÉ FRANCISCO SALGADO

Aurora Triptych a 3-part film by José Salgado (with live music by John Estacio: Solaris, Borealis and Wondrous Light)

Jose Salgado talked about his astrophotography in Yellowstone. I wish I can go, with a suitable companion of course. 

8th Nov - Chorus of the Planets (date with the big girl) 

PROGRAMME

BARBER : Symphony No. 1 in One Movement

BEETHOVEN : Choral Fantasy for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra, Op. 80

- Intermission -

HOLST : The Planets, Op. 32

We went for our first pre-concert talk after an early dinner 

We couldn't get our preferred Premier Box seats so settled for the Circle 2 seats. According to her these seats here have good acoustic. She knows her stuffs (if only she's that good in her studies) well

She was looking forward to this concert coz she heard one of Holst piece during school band practice. This is what I like about Mr Sim, he ensures the girls play music not just for playing but to enjoy the process and to appreciate music. 

 

The Planets, Op. 32, is a seven-movement orchestral suite written between 1914 and 1916. Each movement of the suite is named after a planet of the solar system and its corresponding astrological character as defined by Holst. So it was a really long piece. I could identify with 2 movements. As usual I would have heard it on radio before but just don't know what piece. So it was the aha moment for me when I heard the Mars and Jupiter pieces. 

I really salute the players who could sit through the whole 50 minutes while I was fidgeting my sore butt away.

22nd Nov - The Jussen Brothers Play Mozart

The talented, blonde, blue-eyed Dutch brothers, Lucas and Arthur, are a fresh byword for double-piano fare, and their presentation of the charming K.365 Mozart concerto is sure to delight. Guest conductor Gabriel Bebeşelea presents the Asian premiere of the Pastorale by his great Romanian compatriot, Enescu. Rediscovered only in 2017 and prepared for performance by Bebeselea himself, it is an intriguing partner to Beethoven’s beloved Pastoral Symphony.

PROGRAMME

MOZART : Concerto No. 10 for Two Pianos, K.365​​​​​​

- Intermission/Autograph Session -

ENESCU : Pastorale-Fantaisie for Small Orchestra (Asian Premiere)

BEETHOVEN : Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 “Pastoral”

We couldn't make it in time for the pre-concert talk this time coz I had to pick che-che up from school.

Hoping the brothers can rub some positive influence to my girls.

Why is che-che smiling so cheerfully? 

Pic taken from SSO FB. 

When we got out from Intermission, noticed the queue was short despite us coming out late. So we just joined the queue. I think che-che treasures her autographed booklet more than anything.

This pic was taken from SSO FB page, can you see our backs?

If only my 2 girls can play a duet. Sigh.... they will start quarreling in first bar  

psst ... dutch guys are rather good - looking don't you agree? Haha! I remember telling che-che this when we were in AMS

Very expressive brothers. Superb performance and now I shall see if can catch them in Concertgebouw in the near future.

 

5th Dec - Zhang Haochen plays Mozart (just big girl n me)

PROGRAMME

MOZART : Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K.491

- Intermission -

BRUCKNER : Symphony No. 4 in E-flat major

After intermission, it's just SSO. I think this is the last time we will see Lynette Seah perform. 

A good concert I'll take triple take on Zhang Haochen playing. He's seated upright without moving, just his fingers moving. A total contrast with the Jussen Brothers. As what che-che told me, suppose to feel with music. And then I reminded her she was the only person swaying during her performance  and I was worried if she'd fall off her chair.

This sums up our 2019 concerts. See you next year SSO! Continue making music.  

  

Miss my gal

Che-che has gone for a week trip with her school and I’m beginning to miss her. It's not her first time overseas without us, she went for a trip with the school Handbells Ensemble in Primary 5? or was it Primary 4? And then there was overnight trip to Malacca in Primary 6. But this time is different, because she's such a big girl now. She packed her own bag, of course I did help her with the toiletries bag. Still it's different now that she goes through the bag to check that I don't put in unnecessary stuffs for her. The rests is packed by her as she needed to bring some other items for the activities that they're doing there.

She was away from home since 24th Nov and will only touch down tomorrow night. I can't wait for her to share with me what she has done there, I'm sure it's some life-changing experience for her now that she's 17 years 4 days old. And did lil' one miss her sister? She claims not, she didn't tear at the airport, she's happy that she's away from her. Likewise older sister claims she is happy the irritating girl is not with her. But I'm sure despite all these, they do miss each other, the partner-in-crime needs to work together otherwise it's powerless with only one. I'm grateful her teacher helped me with the birthday cake and all there so that she had an unforgettable birthday without her parents. Ahh.... maybe she's happier this way.     

Has Orchard Road lost its charms?

Has Orchard Road lost its charms? Or is it me?

I can't deny that in my younger days, going to Orchard Road is definitely more boastful than when I say I went to Tampines to shop. But with malls springing up in every neighbourhood now and seeing the same shops - Watsons, Giordano etc.. 不去也大不了。

我也不想念  Orchard. Infact, if I needed to shop, I'll shop at Parkway Parade. Chop chop and get all my errands done in one trip. Parkway, Tampines Mall, Hougang Mall have all the things that i  need. And perhaps it's also due to the crowds. I HATE CROWDS!! Orchard Road is one massive mess on weekends. I dread going there, the girls dread it too. We only have to go more often now as their orthodontist is in Orchard. Even when we (family) had to go there for the girls' birthday treat, we made it there quick quick and came back quick quick. Good thing we didn't have to jostle in the train as well.  

So why do I hate crowds so much? Perhaps it was the lifestyle I lead. During SQ days, I have off days when everyone else is working. So even when I window shop or shop, I didn't have to deal with mixing with the crowds. Now as a SAHM, I have free time to shop before lunch time, before the office workers have their lunch.  

Not that I enjoy shopping too. It's really rare as what some friends say "you were a stewardess before, you should love to shop". Not then and not now. Then, I didn't mind shopping overseas so that I won't walk out in the streets and have someone else in the same clothing as I do. Now, I have to think when I shop. I have to think on which to throw away before I shop. I guess I'm living the minimal life now, just have my basic needs and I'm happy.

Orchard Road, though with the many branded stores, don't appeal to me now. Even this LV lover don't shop in LV all the time. I mean, I had some bags which still lasts till now, is there a need for me to shop? I guess not, I'm not a social influencer, I'm not a tai-tai who hangs out with all the other tai-tais that I can't be seen carrying that same bag all over and over again. 

Probably with the youngsters, Orchard is still a hip place to hang out. So move over old lady! It's time for me to hang out in Wan Yang (massage chain) instead. 

Comes Christmas season, we never hung out since the girls were older. We used to bring them out for a walk, not until once when we had party revellers anyhow spray the confettis into the air. It scared me coz' one of the girl was on daddy's shoulder and it would have gotten into her eyes. Anyway, I don't really care about the decorations there now. Seeing the simple decorations overseas is even more refreshing and nice.         

  

A series of cutie food class in 2019 (cute custard bun, cute cookies, cute tangyuan, cute pineapple tart, cute chiffon cake)

30th Aug (Fri)
I was really looking forward to her class as I've been following her Instagram page. And bookings were taken up very fast too. From what I heard she has a faithful string of followers who would attend all her classes whenever she's in SIN. 

I was surprised that my girlfriend also signed up for the class, I never knew she liked all these so now that I know, I'll jio her next time.   

My Sanrio custard steam bao

31st Aug (Sat) 

A long day for me as I have 2 classes. My signed cookie class as well as a makeup class at 8pm. Instructress asked for us to return the next day as 1-2 baos didn't rise up that beautifully. Class ended very late - 3hrs later? 

It's a tiring process to make cute stuffs, one guy commented that initially he wanted to make christmas cookies to sell. Not anymore. Haha! Honestly I wouldn't want to make to sell, very tiring. Yes, people may order few bottles at one go but if there's only one person to make everything - no day no night lor! I'm just happy to make for own and family consumption.     

In the night. 

2nd Sept (Mon)

Nice to see the cuties bobbing up and down in the water

Mine! Cute hor?

With my long time friend, J. Our last lesson together by this instructress

Really yummy. I love black sesame 

9th Nov (Sat) 

There are some things I just figure out how it's done, so must pay money. Judy led us into a fun class. My stomach growled as the buttery smell emitted from the oven. I don't mind pineapple tarts once in a while considering how unhealthy it can be (as if I'm that health conscious!) 

Lil' one tried but didn't like it. Didn't like pineapple. So maybe next time I'll try with chocolates? My girls are so troublesome so fussy!

16th Nov (Sat)

Really hilarious, I didn't know who the instructress was. Until they mentioned her name, Agnes Chii, and her Instagram page. Then realised that I had been following her all these while. I didn't expect to meet the shifu in person. Learnt so much from her  

Hers Vs 

Mine! Disfigured face, not proportionate eyes, chiffon that sank in. 

I never liked the idea of using a chiffon pan to make chiffon cake as heard one need skills to make the cake fall in place nicely. So usually I prefer to make individual cupped chiffon cake, which makes it easy for one to bring out and eat. So now maybe with the idea of knowing how to make cute designs, maybe I can try to do a small figurine (if my big fat fingers can do it that small) and put in on the chiffon cakes. 

That marks the end of baking classes for the year. Time to get busy and continue my holiday itinery planning where I had stopped.