The piece of young Singaporean composer Chen Zhangyi was performed by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra during their European Tour of 2016. We met Chen before the concert in the Foyer of the Berlin Philharmonic Concert Hall. 

Can you tell us about your piece « An Ethereal Symphony »?

I started working on this music score last July and I finished it in the fall of 2015. The world premiere was given in January by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Lan Shui. When the orchestra commissioned me for this new piece, I knew they wanted to perform it during this European Tour, particularly in Prague. “An Ethereal Symphony” is my personal tribute to the famous Moldau by Bedrich Smetana. In addition, during this European tour, my piece must be followed by Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, whose tone is E, as I also wrote my piece’s ending in this same tone. Another tribute is to Bach and his counterpoint. I love the music of Bach and today I have been to Leipzig to see his manuscripts.

What does it mean to you, to be performed in the legendary Berlin Philharmonic Concert Hall?  

It’s very exciting! I am still very young and for a composer it’s absolutely fabulous experience. All composers do not have this incredible opportunity to hear the first European performance of their music here, in the Berlin Philharmonic Concert Hall. I am even happier because the national orchestra of my own country will perform “An Ethereal Symphony” here in Berlin.

Singapore is a very multicultural city! Would you say that your music is also multicultural?

This is a good question! I do not describe my music as multicultural. But for anyone multiculturalism is naturally associated with the reputation of Singapore. We have, in Singapore, a fine dish that embodies this idea of multiculturalism: the Rojak. It is a mix of local influences. Everything is a little bit “Rojak” in Singapore.  

In your biography, we can find out that food is one of your main hobbies. Is food also a source of inspiration for you?

Yes, food is definitely a source of my inspiration. I wrote a short-opera for soprano, baritone and trio, on the theme of the “Laksa”. The Laksa is a noodle soup that is very popular in Singapore. It was inspired by the Coffee Cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach.

As a composer, who are your idols?

Many of them! Monteverdi, Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven Mendelssohn, Richard Strauss, Stravinsky, Bartok, Britten, Debussy, Ravel, Ligeti or Takemitsu. I studied in the United States and my teacher Kevin Puts is also my model and a source of inspiration.

How is the current position of classical music in Singapore?  

The situation is very positive. We have, since 1979, a professional orchestra of the highest level: the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. And few years later, The Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, the music department of the National University of Singapore, was created. I am actually a teacher at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory. New orchestras, ensembles, student orchestras or semi-professionals orchestras are also created. We also have a traditional Chinese music Orchestra on a very high level. I assure you, Singapore is very dynamic! 

More about Chen Zhangyi : http://www.chenzhangyi.com/

Pierre-Jean Tribot 

CR pictures : Chen Zhangyi-SSO