All posts tagged: Albert Tay

《愿》蒋勋 “Wishes” by Jiang Xun An English Translation

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While guest conducting in Kaohsiung Dec 2022, I absolutely fell in love with my colleague Chen Anyu’s gorgeous rendition of 冉天豪 Ran Tian Hao’s choral work titled 《願》”Wishes”. The superb text setting and atmosphere painting music aside, the poetry by 蔣勳 Jiang Xun was an equally glorious piece of poetry – a fiery unapologetic love declaration that I think really deserves to be shared and appreciated by anyone who is interested in Chinese literature. If you want to send a message to impress your (potential) other half with Chinese poetry to declare your undying love, this could be it! Here’s a relatively functional English translation I cooked up – it’s obviously not meant as a poetic translation (I’m no poet!) and serves primarily as a study for choristers/conductors who are non-native speakers! The English translation I came up with can be used freely as long as it’s credited. Enjoy! 《愿》　　蒋勋 我愿是满山的杜鹃　只为一次无憾的春天 我愿是繁星　舍给一个夏天的夜晚 我愿是千万条江河　流向唯一的海洋 我愿是那月　为你　再一次圆满 如果你是岛屿　我愿是环抱你的海洋 如果你张起了船帆　我愿是轻轻吹动的风浪 如果你远行　我愿是那路　准备了平坦　随你去到远方 当你走累了　我愿是夜晚　是路旁的客栈　有干净的枕席　供你睡眠 眠中有梦　我就是你枕上的泪痕 我愿是手臂　让你依靠 虽然白发苍苍　我仍愿是你脚边的炉火　 与你共话回忆的老年 你是笑　我是应和你的歌声 你是泪　我是陪伴你的星光 当你埋葬土中　我愿是依伴你的青草 你成灰　我便成尘 如果啊　如果 如果你对此生还有眷恋 我就再许一愿　与你结来世的因缘    “Wishes” by Jiang Xun (translated by Albert Tay) I wish …

A Review of Speed Dating Tonight!

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The genre boundaries between musicals and opera have been blurring for a long while now and Speed Dating Tonight! is another example of how drama in modern opera continues to be carried forward primarily by music & singing, but now incorporates many of the dialogue, dance and acting elements traditionally found in musicals. The music and libretto of Michael CHING while ‘contemporary’, was largely tonal, accessible and on occasion, paid tuneful, tongue-in-cheek tribute and references to classical composers like Mozart or Bizet that opera aficionados would appreciate. Musical interest was aptly sustained throughout the ca. 1 hour 15 min show by the interspersing of various solo arias, duets, trios and tutti, some of which were sung a cappella and showcasing the excellent musicianship of the entire cast. The full-house, lively audience were thoroughly entertained throughout the show. The relatable individual characters were fleshed out via the arias and duets – finding love (successfully, or not), getting ghosted, or nailing the use of modern day texting abbreviations (LOL!) etc. Kudos to excellent staging, lighting, dancing (choreographed …

神游上河 (Shen You Shang He) Handbell Music

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I am really excited to be given the rare opportunity to conduct the Ministry of Bellz in the premiere of my latest composition, handbell music 神遊上河 for Solo Chinese Bass Drum, Solo Soprano, Handbell Ensemble and Mixed Choir. The premiere will be performed by Ms. Melodie Ng (Percussion), Ms. Grace Kuo (Soprano Solo), Ministry of Bellz & the Schola Cantorum Singapore Chamber Choir TODAY,  27 January 2018 at the Drama Centre Theatre Singapore (National Library). Tickets are SOLD OUT so hope you got your tickets early! 神遊上河 is a first for me, in many ways. Unusual instrumentation – solo Chinese bass drum, solo soprano, handbell ensemble and choir. “Live” projection of a really cool ancient Chinese painting (清明上河图) as the music is playing. And yes the painting is scrolling from right to left as per Chinese tradition! Compositionally, this is pretty new ground for me… taking inspiration from various places: Ancient Chinese 编钟 bian zhong (bell) music Modern Western handbell music Compositional ideas from contemporary pop and classical music THANK YOU Baba Damien LIM and the Ministry of Bellz for having faith in us and for commissioning …

Guest Conducting the Taiwan Youth Festival Choir

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English text below. 有幸被福爾摩沙合唱團的藝術總監蘇慶俊教授邀請當台灣節慶青年合唱團的客席指揮，與他和來自美國的 Matthew Oltman 同台演出。 指揮台灣最傑出的青年歌者。有多傑出？請看上面在國家音樂廳彩排的摘要! 🙂 與心思細膩的音樂家，教育家和藝術工作人員一起工作，奮鬥。 七天內學會了二十多首不同作曲家，編曲家運用不同的語言和方言的合唱曲。 四個城市，四個美麗的音樂廳。 到了不同地方授課。 當歌唱比賽評審。 遇到馬來西亞的老朋友。 吃到超級無敵讚的美食（岡山羊肉，台中燒烤）。 《八陣圖》終於獲得發表，受表演者和觀眾熱烈的反應。 感謝大師蘇慶俊和所有福爾摩沙和台青的工作人員。這位客席指揮從你們身上學習到好多東西，也因你們得到許多的啟發和感動。請繼續這個培養下一代的神聖音樂教育工作。台灣加油！ “只求音韵撩心弦，合唱群艺得知音!” – 鄭維誠 I had the good fortune of being invited by Professor Julian Su, Artistic Director of the renowned Formosa Singers to guest conduct the Taiwan Youth Festival Choir and share the podium with him and Matthew Oltman (Music Director Emeritus of Chanticleer) and oh my was this a fantastic experience! A summary: Conducted some of the finest young singers of Taiwan; Don’t believe me? Listen to their rehearsal at the National Concert Hall above! Got to work with and observe the work of really meticulous musicians, educators and arts administrators; Learnt over 20 beautiful choral compositions written by various composers and arrangers (some Singaporean) in various languages and dialects in 7 days; Performed in 4 cities in fab concert halls; Attended (and gave) music workshops; Adjudicated a singing competition; Met an old friend from Malaysia; Tasted some REALLY HEAVENLY FOOD; “Eight Trigrams” is premiered to appreciative audiences and performers who responded enthusiastically to it (really can’t imagine …