周老师教学天地: Western Orchestral Music in Singapore

Dear pupils,
Below are some interesting information about Topic 3 for P6 First Steps to Music:

William Tell Overture: an exciting piece of orchestral music which demonstrates the power of the symphony orchestra:

The overture to the opera William Tell, with its high-energy finale, is a very familiar work composed by Gioachino Rossini in 1829. There has been repeated use (and sometimes parody) of this overture in the popular media, most famously for being the theme music for theLone Ranger radio and television shows - it is said that the definition of an intellectual is someone who can listen to the William Tell Overture and not think about The Lone Ranger. It is quoted by Dmitri Shostakovich in his Symphony No. 15. William Tell was the last of Rossini's 39 operas, after which he went into semi-retirement, although he continued to compose cantatas, sacred music, and secular vocal music. Franz Liszt prepared a piano transcription of the overture in 1838 (S.552).

The overture is in four parts, each segueing into the next:

Prelude - a slow passage with low-pitch instruments such as cello and bass
Storm - dynamic section played by full orchestra
Ranz des Vaches (call to the dairy cows) - featuring the English horn (this segment is often used in animated cartoons to signify daybreak)
Finale - ultra-dynamic "cavalry charge" galop heralded by trumpets and played by full orchestra; this segment is often used in popular media to denote galloping horses and became the Lone Ranger theme music
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Tell_Overture

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7O91GDWGPU&feature=related

Trumpet (the instrument that you hear first, it makes bright, exciting and stirring sounds):

Mood that the composer wishes to create for this piece: exciting and uplifting mood.

Orchestra in Singapore:

A premier Asian orchestra gaining recognition around the world, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) aims to enrich the local cultural scene, serving as a bridge between the musical traditions of Asia and the West, and providing artistic inspiration, entertainment and education.

A full-time professional orchestra with 96 members, the SSO now makes its performing home at the Esplanade Concert Hall, and also performs regularly at the Victoria Concert Hall and at other venues. Performing over 50 symphonic programmes a year, its versatile repertoire spans the all-time favourites and orchestral masterpieces to exciting cutting-edge premieres. In support of Singaporean talent, local musicians and composers feature prominently in the concert season. Since its inception in 1979, the SSO has toured America, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Japan, France, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

http://www.sso.org.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=15

First Timer's Guide

Going to an SSO concert can be an enriching, fun event – whether you’re with friends, family or loved ones, or just by yourself in search of some quality personal time.

Here are answers to some often-asked questions about going to SSO concerts, which will help make your next visit even more enjoyable.

http://www.sso.org.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17&Itemid=26

SSO Up Coming event:

Concert for Children: Fairy Tales in Music: Melvin Tix--Clownductor

date: Sat, 13/3/2010, 10.30am and 12.30pm

venue: Victoria Concert Hall

duration: 1 hr

suitable for 5-12 years old

ticket: $30, $25

SSO Classic in the Park

date: Sun, 4/4/2010, 6pm

venue: Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, Singapore Botanic Garden

Orchestral Composers from Singapore: Leong Yoon Pin

Leong Yoon Pin has been a leading figure in Singapores cultural scene for the past thirty years. One famous example for music with local flavor is his overture Dayong Sampan, where the composer developed a traditional Malay folk theme into a full-length orchestral work. In it, distant drums, horns and bassoons contrasted with the strings and woodwind sections to create a cheerful mood, cleverly disguised as a western whole or form, yet still reflective of our own cultural heritage.