Concert Review: Rite(s) of Spring

Source: Orchestra of the Music Makers – Official Website

http://www.orchestra.sg

The programme line-up for this evening is of particular interest. Yes, the pieces certainly fit squarely into the Singapore Arts Festival 2012 theme, Our Lost Poems. But the amalgamation of these three pieces in one evening is most amusing. Londoners made plain their dislike for Gustav Holst’s Beni-Mora during its first airing on 1^st May 1912, and exactly thirteen months later, the premiere of Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring in Paris instigated one of the most famous classical music riots in history. Meanwhile, this evening would see the world debut of Dr. Ho Chee Kong’s Passage – Fantasy for Cello and Orchestra. Could it be that the programme was orchestrated to create a scandal, as the former pieces had – this time in the humble Esplanade Concert Hall?

The evening opens with Oriental Suite-Beni Mora, a less-known orchestral piece by Holst, inspired by the sounds of the streets of Algerian. Having released an internationally-acclaimed album of Gustav Mahler’s first and second symphonies in 2010, it is no wonder that the OMM managed to give the world-class performance venue a beating, during moments of sudden and even abrupt climaxes and exploit its iconic atmospheric acoustics with the Algerian lyric passages, led by the flute, devoutly holding on to the E note in the third movement; yet the motif does not tire the audience given Holst’s mastery of harmonic texture.

Source:

http://www.liweicello.com

Dr. Ho’s Passage features Li-Wei Qin, who is hailed as “one of the most important Chinese cellists of his generation”, having appeared in venues around the world alongside conductors of the highest eminence. Li-Wei’s stage presence is a stark reminder of the pianist Lang Lang; visually foraging the hall, as if in search of inspiration to give life to the written notes, as so successfully he has done. The piece begins with a question posed by the solo cello that repeats itself in variations, in a painful search answers to the meaning of life. The orchestra has sufficiently matched the energy of the distressed cello, though there were portions when the cello seemed to be undermined by a zealous orchestra. Nevertheless, Li-Wei’s fiery cadenza was breath-taking, as he masterfully extracted the full depth and height of the sounds of his instrument. One was fortunate enough to be in the presence of a Yo-Yo Ma in the making; that too for a reasonable price.

Then, the hall turned pitch-black. An unannounced solo piece by Li-Wei was played, aptly to highlight Li-Wei’s star capabilities, and aptly too to summon the (in)famous beginning passage of The Rite by the bassoon, being forced to play in its highest range. This “misuse” of the bassoon famously infuriated composer Camille Saint-Saens at the premiere. This night, however, there can only be commendation of this solo by a culturally-evolved audience, mimicking crude Slav village song and noise. The Augurs of Spring, however, was disrupted by blatantly incorrect untimely entrances of the Eb Clarinet – a favourite instrument in Stravinsky orchestral pieces – to the point that the part was buried for full three measures. An unforgivable mistake in the presence of a paying audience.

Source: National Endowment for the Arts (USA)

http://www.nea.gov/about/40th/joffrey.html

The orchestra may have started not quite on the right note, nevertheless, the orchestra exhibited consistency and togetherness in ensemble playing, considering that the piece has “never been topped for sophisticated handling of primitive rhythms”¹ and has the most complex harmonies ever written. The mastery of these key characteristics was very prevalent through The Naming and Honoring of the Chosen One. The OMM received a very long applause (but short of a standing ovation) so very well deserved, but not for their music in entirety. Credit should be attributed to the immense ambition that this volunteer organisation possesses and dares to carry out. They dared to program sophisticated pieces, they dared to accompany a world-class soloist. And all these accomplishments just two years after its conception. Let’s also not forget that this society has been coined a ‘charity’ orchestra by the press. This is truly an all-rounded orchestra; contributing significantly to the local arts scene with its foray into high-order classical music, grooming youth in their craft, nurturing responsible young citizens. The OMM is on an exciting road ahead, and even the professional Singapore Symphony Orchestra may one day be made to run for its money.

Meeting challenge with resilience

Singapore has been battling challenges which threaten its very existence since its independence in 1965. Abruptly separated from Malaysia then, Singapore was left with little to survive on. The challenges then were managed very well by our leaders but our physical limitations continue to be a concern for Singapore’s economy. For a developed economy f today, not only has Singapore tackled age-old challenges, globalisation has also brought increased economic competition. Social and environmental issues have also evolved in the leap forward to the twenty-first century, yet again, by global happenings. Politically, it is vital that Singapore continues to have strong leaders at the helm. One can definitely say that Singapore has been very effective in managing the challenges of today.

Singapore has always been effective in tackling economic challenges. Being one of the four Asian tigers, Singapore had a head start in industrialisation as it welcomed by multi-national businesses - at a time when many of its Southeast Asian neighbours were most wary of them. Today, at least at the regional level, Singapore is faced with competition from its neighbours, particularly in the manufacturing sector, where their labour costs are low, while Singapore, given its scarce land resource and a modicum of manpower. In an economic world that values speed and rock-bottom operating costs, it is certain that Singapore cannot afford to remain content with what it has been doing for a little over two score years.

While Singapore emerged as one of the first industrialised Asian states, today it boasts to be a hub of many; a research and development hub, a tourism hub and an education hub, among others. Singapore is still manufacturing goods, but now these goods are those with high value-addedness. It has shifted away from making bicycles and canned pineapples to exporting hard-disk drives and wing clips of the Airbus A380. Restructuring of Singapore’s economy is by and large necessitated by its physical constraints while taking its strengths into account. Frankly, its neighbours are less able to compete with Singapore in the high-technology industries as the latter has always been emphasising education for its people. Education mobilises Singaporeans to engage in tertiary ad quaternary industries which are more profitable, productive and less land-exhausting. Here, it is clear that where Singapore is in danger of losing out, it has overcome its limitations to excel.

The Internet and social media has brought about a new set of challenges for Singapore today. As the world becomes as interconnected as never before, information spreads apace. This is beneficial to an information-oriented economy. Inevitably, bad information crafted by irresponsible parties threaten the social fabric of this country. Singapore before independence was plagued by racial unrests and riots which jeopardise our security. One may say that the Singapore government today is in paranoia when it comes to the local regulation of information. Such a claim is not with solely unfounded reasons. Its authorities are quick to put out any display of hostility between ethnicities in Singapore. Social media such as Facebook, blogs and Twitter speeds up the accessibility of such information. Being a non-homogenous society, these sentiments are able to fuel potential periods of unrest and instability if left unattended.

One can say that Singapore has been successful in maintaining its social harmony in spite of its diversity by a simple measure: Singapore since the 1960s has not witnessed a single racial conflict, creating a safe and stable environment for its citizens to work and play, and for foreign investments to pour in and strengthen Singapore’s economy. Again, maintaining social stability has always been a constant issue Singapore has always been tackling, but today, it manifests itself in new, thoroughly evolved forms today. Measures which are in place, albeit seemingly draconian and undemocratic, have undeniably made Singapore face.

Maintaining good governance in Singapore itself is an important challenge of today which needs to be tackled. Not that the quality of its leaders have deteriorated, but globalisation and new media puts its leaders in a position where they can be more easily challenged by their people. Being a democracy at least in name, free and fair elections have been the means for people to give their mandate – or not – to the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) government. The PAP has always received no less than a two-third majority in parliament since 1959 but this is no longer a given.

Singapore, in implementing sound and viable policies has won the hearts of not all of its citizens. Social media and foreign ideological influences have opened the eyes of Singaporeans, especially its youth, to new peoples and their ideas. This poses a problem to Singapore as anti-government sentiments, if not managed, may resonate at the ballot boxes. Singaporeans are exposed to top-notch opposition candidates and their ideals seem to be better able to win the hearts of those who feel sidelined. As a result, the PAP has only amassed 60.1% of valid votes – hence showing exceptional opposition performance – during the 2011 General Elections. While outsiders may pass this off as an unsurprising outcome of the democratic process, Singapore’s political stability is now questioned. All along, with an absolute majority, the government can pass policies without much question. However, we now fear that Singapore’s political scene would end up like the United States, whose bipartisan congress almost always end up in deadlock over key, pressing issues of national importance, as in its economic crisis.  Politically speaking, the power of technology can no longer be ignored or it will take its toll in ballot boxes.

More pressing and visible global issues literally engulf this island-nation. The haze caused by burning of forests in Kalimantan and Sumatra in neighbouring Indonesia has posed serious environmental problems. The haze drops visibility to only a few hundred metres, posing a health threat and inhibiting certain economic activities. Singapore has assisted its neighbours in tackling the haze with technological and technical assistance. Singaporean satellites are used to track forest fires, while Singaporean personnel and equipment help put out forest fires. These cooperative measures will not be permanent solutions to the haze, nor are they totally ineffective. The haze will persist so long as vegetation is set on fire, but the issue can be said to be well-managed, noting the decline in the incidences of forest fires in recent years.

Singaporeans tend to take its water supply for granted but it is one of Singapore’s most crucial issues. Singapore has always been purchasing water from Malaysia, which is then treated by Singaporean water-processing plants. However, the contract for this supply is set to expire in 2061. Currently, Singapore has been innovating means to ensure self-sufficiency in its water supply, mainly by introducing NEWater. It has been mocked by many in the local and international community as sewage is its source. Nevertheless, not only has the technology been in place, it has been exported and sold off to water scarce regions, particularly in the Middle East. Water scarcity is a future challenge but its management is an issue of today. Beyond reasonable doubt, Singapore is successful in sustaining its physical lifeline.

Underlying all of Singapore’s successes – and failures – are its leaders. Westerners tend to criticise Singapore for practising maximum governance where much power lies within the state, where policies implemented are often unchallenged and where political opponents have prison cells waiting for their blunder. However, this is done not to feed ravenous despots but to serve the Singaporean people. Its leaders are the best this country can offer despite its small population. The challenges faced by Singapore today has always been a constant, only evolving into new forms brought about by global phenomena and thus, change, too, has to always be the constant, evolving to adapt to new challenges. Singaporean leaders have always welcomed and embraced change to suit the needs of today’s economy, noting that tomorrow’s today will be of a different form from now. One might have recognised by now that the economy is the core of Singapore. Without it – and a strong one – there can be no talk on other aspects of Singaporean life. What have made Singapore resilient to challenges are its adept and imaginative leaders. For example, the building of the two Integrated Resorts, which include casinos, faced strong objection from many segments of society, but has also spurred a record double-digit 14.5% economic growth in 2010, while many in the west were struggling to even recover from the 2008 recession. Singaporean values in governance are not exactly moral, but are those which encourage flexibility and bravery to be different.

From a fishing village to a key player in the International Monetary Fund, Singapore has not only managed the challenges of today but has always emerged stronger with greater eminence at every hurdle it overcomes. Adaptation and determination has always been in our genes; most Singaporeans are sons of immigrants who braved through the seas to even reach here physically intact, braved through the hardship of the Japanese occupation and struggled to make ends meet upon independence – it is no wonder that Singapore has been successful in managing the challenges of today.

Melaka

My stay in my motherland for the past three days has been one filled with literal tears of joy, reconciliation and reflection. Melaka is where my forefathers originate; where they were born, raised, put to work, encountered rattan-enabled strokes and nurtured to break to productively break their backs.

Home Kampong
What I witnessed I the village was still nothing like how it used to be, albeit not as modern as Singapore. Still the nostalgia of the setting has not failed to send chills down my dad's and uncle's spines thus catalysing the tear-making process. The desired by-product was only to be triggered by a 40 year-overdue aunt-nephew embrace. The reversal of such deep reactions proved to be highly endothermic given that the elder has superb memory. Even spectator particles like me can't be spared from  these cheek-wetting moments.

Makan
I thought my tongue was malay enough until I sat cross-legged in a kampong house, harrassed by flies on a straw mat. I ate what looked like vegetables simmered in a gravy of vomit. But praises to god, its taste is most interesting and nothing like I've ever seen; the most creative way of utilising durian. Not forgetting the asam pedas which tasted just like my late grandma's cooking (says my dad). And I won't be stepping on the weighing scale for some time to come.

Urge.

This week I've faced life in a different manner.

Might I say that I was not too happy by the time the results came out. Not because I was unhappy about the results, though. That is least of my concerns. I only wanted to be promoted as that is all that matters.

I was really unhappy because I get annoyed when people misunderstand me. Nobody will take me seriously in a heart-to-heart conversation for I tend to have an upbeat demeanour and a "bo-chup" face, which I find useful for stealthily gathering aural information. And so, I decided to reactivate myself to post stuff on this blog. As and when I sense that an action of mine needs to be justified, this is for all to see and discern for themselves.

Right from the beginning of the year, I resolved to only have simple ambitions, that is, such that I can sufficiently feed my family.

It so happened that the post-promo period was met with an internal conflict of moral, directional and emotional sorts. Might I reiterate that it has got nothing to do with my results. (I am indifferent towards it, until now, like my parents. No cause for celebration.) Nor was it PW, although something ugly was triggered then, but it is only due to the sudden unleash of all the emotional baggage thus far. And so, ironically, I felt lousy of myself, as if society does not value me anymore, as if people I know think I'm rubbish.

This perception changed after much reflection, catalysed by morning sunlight and boredom, at Sembawang Park. I suddenly felt that I am to impact society one day.

I used to have very big dreams. Those which people expect of me: politician, lawyer, diplomat and so on. I thought I would one day I would be able to do all that I want. But somehow, my self-esteem degraded since. However, apparently, teachers don't think so, but I still didn't realise. I thought they shared the same opinion as me. Until today when I looked at this:

My very recent change of perception of my destiny is only reaffirmed by the above which came a considerable period of time before.

God give me strength to deliver my responsiblities, show me the path of those whom you love, bless my family with good health.

Yes, the above is a wordly endeavour of mine, but to me, I do hope that this big thing I'll be doing will help my fellow Malays, help make Singapore great and most of all, do justice to the care showered by my family thus far.


P.S. Thank you, Shahir, for making me work my fingers and discern my actions even more.

Sleep. And 8 hours of it.

When asked how I got my results, I tell people I don't study much. People get annoyed; either they think I'm arrogant or it is just impossible to them. This intellectual myopia in itself annoys me. But it's true! However, it doesn't end there.

I find that I'm able to increase the efficiency of my studying time by maximising learning when you're not facing your books. This includes lectures, tutorials and the time spent answering nature's call. And all this boils down to sleep. And 8 hours of it. And almost religiously.

There's no denying that sufficient sleep makes you feel fresh early in the morning. You find it easier to arise, no matter how much you're gonna hate the day ahead. Because you feel fresh, there're little means for you to fall asleep during lecture and tutorial (unless it's in the afternoon, of course). Such is important as usually, the golden nuggets which makes one ace one's papers are usually revealed during lecture.

One may say that listening to the recording still does the job. I'm afraid not. Widely-received scientific studies show that only 20% of communication happens aurally. The rest happens through body language. While we certainly do not pay attention by these details, they are subconsciously processed by the brain to be effectively digested. Maybe it's the eyes, the hand gestures or stature which adds impact to the message albeit subconsciously. So why remove this 80% of learning aid?

Another thing that freshness allows one to do is think. 4 hours of sleep will make even walking a chore. During tutorials and lectures you can't be bothered about anything's that going on. Then you tell yourself that you're going to recap at home or some time after lesson. Here comes the big academic evil: procrastination! You simply forget about the lesson. If not, you become simply too tired or bogged down by other work by the time you remember. Worse still, studies show that that retention ability diminishes with time. And that's why you have to mug last minute, cramming as much information in an unsorted, unlogical manner which you can't almost totally appreciate.  You go for consultation only to ask questions already answered during lecture/tutorial. Because you have so much to cover, you can't afford to sleep. Then you can't focus duing exam. Then you go into depression, leading to insomnia. No sleep at all!

The above clearly shows the academic viscious cycle which is all to blame on insufficient sleep. Conversely, early, sufficient sleep contributes to a virtous academic cycle.

You can receive information, process them and link them. This is especially important for any subject. Chemistry is one subject with no room for compartmentalised thinking to ace in it. With a clear mind, these links can be drawn during lectures themselves. It makes you stay awake. It encourages higher order thinking. For the arts, linking is the essence for forming solid arguments.

Thinking can happen on the way home. Or on the toilet. Or while eating. Start with DUH! questions first. At least it keeps you engaged stuff you need to know and APPRECIATE. This is hiw you don't have to spend time.mugging. Mugging time is only to boost details and strengthen the links, NOT to receive new information. Only then will consultations be productive. Last moments before exam are to be spent appreciating and processing information. This way, the content that needs to be known becomes a given.

By now, you realise that all these requires one to be alert, hence requires sleep. Sleep full length, leave the work behind and catch up with them when you wake up fresh. You need less time doing them as you think better. Give it your all in school and you can go home and "nua". Well, that's at least what I do...

Besides, people comment that my face has a perpetual freshness. It's easier for you to smile! Why not stop being the passive "sian" one and be the active smile-inducing party instead?! So sleep.

My results are not the best set but I can assure you this was done by seeking ways to increase the time-for-grades value, noting that I hold three CCAs and an ageing family which I would have to feed very soon.

We must be selfish.

I feel stressed out living in Singapore.

Not only do I have to be perpetually surrounded by people, humans and Homo sapiens, I have to cope with the behaviours of these people. It is bad enough that we have to live digging our faces into others’ armpits. But mismanaged odour in trains puts the most patient to the edges of the cliff of tolerance. The point is, in this day and age, where Singaporeans enjoy high material standards of living, why are we still rude and selfish?

Perhaps this same selfishness is the reason for Singapore’s economic excellence. Being ruthless and competitive in the global arena, amassing the world’s riches for ourselves, dominating trade routes, hoarding all that are for grabs; How Singaporean can we ever get?

Right from Singapore’s founding selfishness has always been key to our survival. How do you suppose our forefathers were able to make their voyage from their homelands to this tiny island, feeding on the bodies of those who died, indignantly throwing the dead overboard? On this island, these people shed blood, sweat and tears to eke out a living for themselves. The treasures were there, up for grabs and only the fittest would prevail. There were no transfer payment handouts from the government to yearn for every recession, healthcare benefits to safeguard social security or schools to learn the trades of the day. Our fathers earned every cent breaking their backs and waited for death to knock on their doors when they were severely ill. However, they were lucky enough to attend the best school ever to exist: the school of life.

Their plight did not end there. They braved through the Japanese occupation where deception, struggle and betrayal were their cup of tea. Even the creation of the Singapore in the form we know of today was not without pain. An alien left alone, at the ransom of its neighbours, it defied the odds to emerge as a player in the world economy today.

How then, could the people we have in Singapore today be the worst time has seen? Survival of the fittest has always been the essence of Singapore’s nation-building of the time that has passed and for the time to come. Hard work, struggle and determination are in our genes. Nature has selected its best to make this island great.

Selfishness has manifested in a new form in Singaporeans today. One which serves self before others, individual before nation. This is alright as this was exactly the case 10 score years ago. Worse still, back then, there was not an idea of nationhood. It was our unorchestrated combined strengths which contributed to an identity we have found for ourselves. And this is still the case.

Pity arises when our selfishness is channelled to matters of the least importance or even derogatory in nature. Yes, being inconsiderate can be said to be a product of this natural selection. Then, we can question, are we getting too comfortable?

What seem to interest Singaporeans today are whether our parks today are crowded, how packed our trains and how ugly the Miss Singapore Universe is.

No matter how strong these grievances, or how true they are, we live in the age of the advent of GST offsets admist economic troubles, world-class medical care envied by the West and top-ranked universities fuelling the needs of today’s economy.

Perhaps provisions such as the above have made us lose our head in the game.

Thankfully, natural selection will once again save Singapore from decline, I think. With the revelation of the foreign talent and its neighbours’ rise from economic idleness, it is high time that Singaporeans return to the way of the struggle before we are strangled. 

Not doing

I've led my life as a very irrational JC student thus far.

Not running for SC, HEXCO, Choir presidency, Scholars' Development and so on. Many asked what in the world I'm thinking. Here's what I'm thinking:

When you're good, you don't compete.  Look at the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra for instance. They don't involve themselves in the All-Japan Ban Contest as a participant but as the benchmark for wind band standards in Japan (by recording the set pieces for reference). This is the same for the world's top orchestras, though they are being ranked. Nevertheless, lists don't define the soul of these mature institutions. They typically the serve as the pride and soul of their home cities. That's way more important.

In all that you are good at, you have to be very confident. People compete because they are uncertain of their abilities. Isn't this a show of self-disrespect? When you're good, you should strive to be the one who sets the standard and be the mentor for your counterparts. Also, you don't need to compete if you're able to distinguish yourself from others such that you are in-substitutable. (Recall PED)

I recall Mr Teo Ser Luck's wisdom that one is not made a leader because of his position but by his character. One does not need to be a leader only when given a position. Positions are merely a source of empowerment to drive on to greater heights in the organisation. However, is this necessary if the individual if self-driven? In other words, one is a leader if he behaves like one in everything that he chooses to do.

Conversely, one is merely an administrator when given a position but has no leadership traits in him. Singapore schools are very good at producing administrators.

Leadership is a lifestyle, not a post. When you have unshakeable values and beliefs, you don't need accolades or leadership posts for you to be noticed. You find opportunities knocking at your doorstep because they know you are different. You don't need to go into scholar development or school programmes to prove your worth. Just do what you like to do and you will reap the benefits. Just look at how ministers are chosen. They come from various backgrounds, doctors, bankers, economists, generals, etc. They are chosen because they are good at what they do, coupled with strong beliefs and conviction.

For me, driven by beliefs and causes that I advocate, I chose to be a president of a non-niche CCA of 20 people, the Malay Cultural Society.  I don't think I'm devaluing myself by heading a very small CCA. I strive to unite all Malay NYJC-ians such that our different strengths would be put together to great causes for our community when we go out and work. I fear that my friends would forget their roots; the people who have helped them exceled, and that their success in the future would depend on the mandate of their own community. Why are the Chinese so successful?It's because they never forget to contribute back to their society when they succeed.

Now you know how I think.