Concert Music
Are you looking for a composition to provide your ensemble and audience with a new experience?
Or perhaps you are hoping to perform fun arrangements of current music?
How about also checking out exciting adaptations which transform what you may be familiar with into something new?
Here, you will find works for instrumentation ranging from the symphony orchestra to the Chinese orchestra - if you find something you like or want to ask about something, feel free to drop me a message!
(Not all of the 'Learn More' pages are ready, but stay tuned!)
Upcoming
Ravel Retold
Reinterpreting the ‘oriental exoticism’ of ‘Asie’ from Ravel’s Shéhérazade, with an animated film based on Central Asian miniature paintings, and newly composed elements and soundscapes around Ravel’s masterpiece. An international collaboration featuring Iranian filmmaker Mahan Khomamipour, Germany-based Singaporean mezzo-soprano Jade Tan Shi Yu, Singaporean pianist Abigial Sin and audio engineer Aw Wei Zheng.
Morning of the world
Composing for a multimedia production bringing together Sundanese gamelan, Balinese gamelan, erhu, pipa and cello. Coming 28 February 2021. Will there be a morning for us? Will there be a morning of the world?
Reverberance: Dizi Concerto
A dizi concerto commissioned by Reverberance, 1st Prize winner of the Singapore Chinese Music Competition 2020 (Ensemble). ‘from afar, the moonlight’ 《望月怀远》will feature dizi soloist Ng Wei Xuan, in a work full of yearning. Inspired by the 7th century poem ‘Gazing at the Moon Thinking of Afar / 望月怀远’ (by Zhang Jiuling), and 21st century separations.
Singapore Chinese Orchestra: 大珠小珠合家欢
A commissioned work by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra highlighting the characters, tone colors and unique techniques of the plucked strings family. Premiere TBA.
Nam Hwa Opera X Macpherson Philharmonic Orchestra
An exciting crossover collaboration between 2 powerhouses, Nam Hwa Opera and the MacPherson Philharmonic Orchestra! I will be composing music for a full concert production that casts traditional Teochew music and opera in a modern light. Premiere TBA.
ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS
诗`哲`梦 Poets' Dream
Approx. Length - 6'00
For dizi ensemble
Poets' Dream is a fantasy with musical sections inspired by various poems by Du Fu, Rabindranath Tagore and Omar Khayyam. The music weaves influences from music of the poets' different eras and geographical location, such as the Indian alankar (ornaments) and drone, as well as Persian rhythms and shifting meters. A single theme is developed and varied across the piece through the difference influences, and the piece opens and closes in a dreamy state, akin to our journey to seek out the otherworldly messages and philosophy of the great poets.
Oriental Winds
Approx. Length - 11'00
For symphony orchestra and solo bansuri, Suling and xiao
Oriental Winds is an evocative and cathartic work for symphony orchestra and 3 solo ethnic flutes - the Indian bansuri, Malay suling, and Chinese xiao. The various motifs in this piece were inspired by the ethnic groups, while the frequent use of quintal harmonies were intended to portray tranquility and being free from attachment (one can say, to functional harmony), free like the wind. Impressionist concepts and orchestration techniques also influenced the creation of the piece.
梭罗河之呼唤 The Cry of Solo River
[Featured at the Singapore Chinese Orchestra Composer Workshop 2018]
Approx. Length - 6’00
For Chinese orchestra
The Cry of Solo River is a rhapsodic sketch of the scenes, lives and culture along the Solo River (also known as Bengawan Solo), the longest river in the Indonesian island of Java. The piece depicts the mysterious sense of beauty and source of life along the river, inspired by the many discoveries of early hominid remains made at several sites in its valleys. An altered phrase of the folk song Bengawan Solo is used as a recurring theme, and compositional devices based around concepts of impressionism and gamelan are employed.
隐藏的英雄 Hidden Heroes
Approx. Length - 5’00
For Chinese orchestra, or solo erhu with Chinese orchestra
Inspired by the journey of my friend, Singaporean visually-impaired erhu soloist Stephanie Ow; dedicated to her, Very Special Arts and its 2017 concert, 'Welcome to My World - A Concert by People with Disabilities'. Hidden Heroes features a majestic, sweeping main theme that brings out the power of the orchestra, as well as emotional melodies that reach out to hopes and dreams.
交响音画《然界畅想》 Symphonic Portrait: Caprice of Nature
Approx. Length - 8'30
For Chinese orchestra or Chinese chamber ensemble
Mother Nature - ever so enigmatic and dynamic, frightening and beautiful. Irregular time signature changes, pulsing rhythms, a vast and mysterious passage, and an epic concluding grand ode to nature feature in this symphonic portrait. Uncommon instruments such as the rain stick, thunder drum and thunder sheet complete the immersive experience. A definite showstopper.
Caprice of Nature
[First place (Singapore) at the International Composition Competition ‘Maurice Ravel’ 2015]
Approx. Length - 5’15
For string orchestra
‘Caprice of Nature’ depicts the multiple facades of Mother Nature, who is ever so enigmatic and dynamic. The short opening passage speaks of the mystery behind nature. Without warning, the forces of nature sweep all into the allegro passage, where the main theme is introduced. Irregular and changing time signatures throughout portray the erratic, unpredictable behaviour of nature. The coda recapitulates the main theme, but this time as a stately procession with a steady 2/2 time signature, illustrating the reverence of mankind for nature's creation and destruction.
交响音诗《兆》 Symphonic Poem: The Harbinger
Approx. Length - 7'30
For Chinese orchestra
Written in the style of a symphonic epic, The Harbinger sketches impressions of a post-apocalyptic future and the signs which foreshadow it. Portents and presages abound, with the recurring motif of the Harbinger guiding us to our realization of uncertainty.
庆友情与生命:《十一月之序曲》 In Celebration of Friendship and Life: November's Overture
Approx. Length - 4'40
For Chinese orchestra
A journey through the ups and downs in life, through celebrations, through reflections, through memories. This concert overture features a lyrical and touching main theme as well as fun, light-hearted moments, before concluding with a vibrant celebration. An overture written for friends, and the overture for life and new beginnings!
ADAPTATIONS
《新 | 琵琶语》 NEO | PIPA VOICES
Adapted from the theme of《琵琶语》Pipa Voices by 林海 Lin Hai
Approx. Length - 6’20 (or 5'00, skipping optional repeat)
For Chinese Orchestra
Also available for chinese plucked strings ensemble (弹拨乐团) or ruan trio (gaoyin ruan, zhongruan, daruan) and guzheng
New age zen, passion and action - all in one package!?《琵琶语》Pipa Voices is a recent popular instrumental by film composer Lin Hai (used as opening and closing theme of the 2004 movie《一个陌生女人的来信》Letter from an Unknown Woman). This adaptation takes the original zen feel, but slowly morphs it into a passionate tutti moment, and eventually evolving into a high-energy, epic rendition, like a heroic war movie theme.
巴萨诺瓦《彩云追月》 Qing Dynasty Bossa Nova: Colourful Clouds Chasing the moon
Adapted from《彩云追月》
Approx. Length - 4'30
For Chinese Orchestra
Also available for chinese plucked strings ensemble (弹拨乐团) or ruan trio (gaoyin ruan, zhongruan, daruan) and guzheng
Hailing from old Cantonese folk scores collections of the Qing dynasty, our “Colourful Clouds” here chase the moon all the way to Brazil and take on a new, lighthearted and groovy persona. This is a beautiful collision of 2 music styles, possibly hundreds of years apart, for you to serenade the audience any evening.
《梅亭雪》 Snow of Plum Pavilion
Adapted from the traditional teochew opera of the same name
Approx. Length - 11'00
For Chinese chamber ensemble
In this adaptation of the popular Teochew opera, the original Teochew flavor is preserved while a more symphonic approach in the writing intensifies the different moods across the story, allowing listeners to enjoy this classic in a new way that is palatable for modern aesthetics. As seen and heard at Ding Yi Music Company's production, “Time for Opera!”.
《铃笙•响起》 A Ringtone Medley (2016)
In collaboration with Ling Xiao Jin
Approx. Length - 3'30
'PLAY!' SERIES - INSTRUMENTS CUSTOMIZABLE UPON ORDER!
sample: for dizi, gaoyin sheng, zhongruan, piano, erhu and cello
Featuring 13 ringtones from our everyday life in one remix! How can we turn short, repetitive ringtones into a piece of music? From the classic Nokia tune to iPhone sounds, spot them all and hear them in new ways you never imagined!
Christmas Creatures (2015)
Adapted from themes by Walter E. Rollins, Steve Nelson, Johnny Marks and Franz Schubert
Approx. Length - 3'10
For chinese chamber ensemble or orchestra
You better watch out! Look who’s here to play... Frosty, Rudolph, and...oh my! The Erlking! Features dark twists and exciting fun on Christmas classics.
Concierto de Aranjuez (2017)
Adapted from Joaquín Rodrigo’s concerto for guitar and orchestra
Approx. Length - 6'15
for Chinese Plucked Strings ensemble (弹拨乐团)
also available for Ruan Ensemble
Adaptation of the first two movements of the classic guitar concerto “Concierto de Aranjuez”, re-imagined for Chinese plucked-string instruments for a vibrant oriental touch.
ARRANGEMENTS
Suite from “How to Train Your Dragon” (2017)
original music by john powell
Approx. Length - 5'10
for Chinese Orchestra
Fill the concert hall and all hearts with exciting and moving music from the DreamWorks movie, How to Train Your Dragon! Chinese instruments will feel right at home in the Irish and Celtic-influenced music, drawing out the flavors in an all-new way. The audience and musicians alike are sure to be riding not only dragons, but emotions as well, as the suite takes you on a journey of adventure and love. (The movie How to Train Your Dragon 3 is to be released on March 1, 2019, you'll be just in time for the hype)
林俊杰组曲:《不为谁可惜》 JJ Lin Medley: If Only Twilight (2017)
original music by jJ Lin | co-arranger: Estee Goh
Approx. Length - 4'40
for Chinese Orchestra
Two of Singaporean pop star JJ Lin’s self-penned songs, which are favorites among fans from all over the world! A sentimental《不为谁而作的歌》(Twilight) crescendos into a pumping《可惜没如果》(If Only), before the iconic bridge of Twilight finally brings the arrangement to a culminating point where both songs come together (still a better love story than Twilight). The zhongruan, dizi, cello and suona get featured in little solos.
《凉凉》 Liang Liang (Chilly) (2017)
As sung by 张碧晨Zhang Bichen & 杨宗纬 Aska Yang | original music by 谭旋 Tan Xuan
Approx. Length - 4'15
for Chinese Plucked Strings ensemble (弹拨乐团)
also Available for ruan trio (gaoyin ruan, zhongruan, daruan) and guzheng
other formats available upon order
Almost everyone who doesn’t live in a chilly cave will know this song from the hit TV series,《三生三世十里桃花》(Eternal Love). This arrangement allows all instruments to have their moments to sing, and you will certainly love the cool guzheng part during choruses, especially if you want to show off some fast plucking technique.
Beauty and the beast (2017)
as heard in the movie | original music by alan menken
Approx. Length - 3'30
'PLAY!' SERIES - INSTRUMENTS CUSTOMIZABLE UPON ORDER!
sample: for dizi, gaoyin sheng, zhonghu and piano
Click for video!
Whichever era you come from, you must have been deeply moved by the classic 1991 movie or the 2017 live-action film (or, if you're like me, the stage musical too!). Channel your inner Emma Watson or Paige O'Hara, and relive the romantic fairy tale of compassion, redemption and a strong, intelligent and independent heroine!
《好想你》 I MiSS U (2017)
as sung by 四叶草 Joyce Chu | original music by Namewee
Approx. Length - 3'40
for Chinese Orchestra
Click for video!
A really cute and sweet little song, this arrangement packs a new punch by using the forces of the Chinese orchestra and is a complete revamp of the acoustic feel of the original song. Watch out for interesting bits of musical cameo appearances, including Pachelbel’s Canon in D, 五月天’s (Mayday)《突然好想你》, and a jazz bridge. Challenge: get the audience to post pictures of your concert on social media and hashtag #IMissYou____(your orchestra name) / #好想你____(your orchestra name) after the performance! An item to create a memorable concert!
《那些年的小幸运》 A Little Happiness of Those Years (2017)
as sung by 田馥甄 Hebe & 胡夏 Hu Xia | original music by JerryC & Mitsutoshi Kimura
Approx. Length - 4'40
for Chinese Orchestra
Click for video!
A mash-up of two popular themes from the Taiwanese romance movies《我的少女時代》(Our Times) and《那些年，我们一起追的女孩》(You Are the Apple of My Eye). Highlights include a reminiscent gaohu solo; the innocence of youth portrayed by the plucked strings; a beautiful, shimmering chorus in an oriental counterpoint; and the two songs weaving in and out of each other, eventually coming together as though all our life narratives are connected. Perfect item for your orchestra to highlight the colours of each section in a Chinese orchestra and how they blend together, and for bringing everyone back to experience the sweet love of our youth.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town (2015)
Original music by J. Fred Coots
Approx. Length - 3'00
For chinese chamber ensemble or orchestra
Santa's swingin' by this Christmas with this swing arrangement of the popular 1934 Christmas classic.