Few Chinese composers can attest to having the same amount of reverence as Maestro Peng Xiuwen does. The late music doyen (1931-1996) left behind a legacy as a leading light in the contemporary Chinese music scene, essentially the founding father of the genre of ‘Chinese orchestral music’ whose efforts led to the spread and export of Chinese music across the globe and firmly earned him a place in the Hall of Fame of music history.
As part of their 2019 season, local Chinese chamber ensemble Ding Yi Music Company is set to pay tribute to Maestro Peng with Masterpieces by Peng Xiuwen, a fulllength concert of his masterworks this 21 April 21 (Sun) at 7.30pm at the SCO Concert Hall.
Established in 2007, Ding Yi is Singapore’s most prodigious Chinese chamber music ensembles. The ensemble has captivated audiences with its distinctive approach to music making and dedication to showcasing a vast repertoire that ranges from traditional Chinese music to contemporary interpretations and cross-genre works, and collaborated with prominent Chinese musicians including Min Huifen and Lu Chunling in many concerts.
Since emerging first at the National Chinese Music Competition organised by the National Arts Council (NAC), Singapore in 2008, Ding Yi continues to advocate and promote its unique Singapore sound – Ding Yi Chinese chamber music locally and overseas. Ding Yi is also recipient of the NAC Major Company Scheme in 2016.
This one-hour tribute concert at the newly refurbished Singapore Conference Hall will feature compositions by Maestro Peng such as Terra-cotta Warriors and Unyielding Su Wu, as well as The Surging of Messy Clouds and The Rising Moon, as arranged by Maestro Peng.
Fans of Chinese orchestral music will be serenaded by husband and wife duo, yangqin master Zhang Gao Xiang and huqin virtuoso Jiang Ke Mei, as well as huqin player Xu Wen Jing during this concert. Quek Ling Kiong, in addition to conducting the concert, will also have a special treat in store for fans of Ding Yi – Quek himself will be performing a drum solo during Harvest Drums, a rare opportunity to see the Ding Yi conductor in musical action.
Whether you’re familiar with Maestro Peng’s work, or curious to discover more about the prowess he held in the field of Chinese music, Masterpieces by Peng Xiuwen promises a rousing concert to leave any and all audience members with nothing but respect for Maestro Peng and the timeless pieces he composed and arranged, integral to the development of Chinese music as we know it today.
Concert details
Date: 21 April 2019, Sunday
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: SCO Concert Hall
Tickets: sistic.com.sg
