SINGAPORE CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL
13.08 - 28.09.2025
新加坡华乐节
23.8.2025 (Sat), 5pm
SCO Concert Hall 新加坡华乐团音乐厅
Singapore Chinese Music Festival (SCMF) 2025 Opening Ceremony will be presented by Ding Yi Music Company, under the baton of Cultural Medallion recipient, SCMF President, and Ding Yi Emeritus Music Director Dr Tay Teow Kiat, alongside Resident Conductor Wong De Li, Dedric.
Showcasing the rich cultural roots and musical diversity of the Chinese heritage in Singapore, audiences will be treated to a rich tapestry of works by Ding Yi musicians, including guzheng musician Yvonne Tay and Visiting Artist Li Cangxiao on the erhu, as well as renowned federation members such as erhu soloist Ling Hock Siang, guzheng virtuoso Yin Qun, and dizi master Zhan Yongming. Three signature works conducted by Dr Tay are Yeo Puay Hian's Passing the Light, the famous Dream of the Red Chamber; and Longing for Home, a poignant collaboration with Siong Leng Musical Association that captures the aching yearning for home, parents, and one's roots.
Dr Tay Teow Kiat
Conductor
Jamshid Saydikarimov
Cello
Wong De Li, Dedric
Conductor
Yvoone Tay
Guzheng
Chinese Chamber Ensemble
Confluence
composed by Wang Chenwei
Conductor: Wong De Li, Dedric
Erhu and Cello with Bowed String Quartet
Hopping Rotation
composed by Joshua Chan
Erhu: Ling Hock Siang, Cello: Jamshid Saydikarimov
Guzheng Duet with Chinese Chamber Ensemble
The Soil of Qin
composed by Zhou Zhan
Conductor: Wong De Li, Dedric
Guzheng: Yin Qun & Yvonne Tay
Dizi with Chinese Chamber Ensemble
Song of Autumn
composed by Zhan Yongming
orchestrated by Yang Chunlin
Conductor: Wong De Li, Dedric
Dizi: Zhan Yongming
- Interval -
Erhu with Chinese Chamber Ensemble
Kangding Reverie
composed by Li Cangxiao
arranged by Liu Yuhui
Conductor: Wang De Li, Dedric
Erhu: Li Cangxiao
Chinese Chamber Ensemble
Dream of the Red Chamber Overture
composed by Li Liping
Conductor: Dr. Tay Teow Kiat
Nanyin with Chinese Chamber Ensemble
Longing for Home
arranged by Li Huanzhi
Conductor: Dr. Tay Teow Kiat
Chinese Chamber Ensemble
Passing the Light
composed by Ken Zhang
arranged by Yeo Puay Hian
Conductor: Dr. Tay Teow Kiat
Programme is correct at time of publication and may be subject to change without prior notice.
Bowed Strings
Fred Chan Hong Wei 陈宏伟 * Gaohu/Erhu 高胡/二胡
Li Cangxiao 李仓枭 ^ Erhu 二胡
Chin Yen Choong 陈彦聪 Zhonghu 中胡
Chen Ning 陈宁 Erhu 二胡
Bekhzod Oblayorov Cello 大提琴
Sanche Jagatheesan 桑杰 # Double Bass 倍大提琴
Plucked Strings
Chua Yew Kok 蔡友国 Pipa 琵琶
Wong Wai Kit 黄炜杰 Zhongruan 中阮
Yvonne Tay 郑怡雯 Guzheng 古筝
Tan Jie Qing 陈洁卿 Yangqin 扬琴
Woodwind
Ng Hsien Han 黄显行 Dizi 笛子
Soh Swee Kiat 苏瑞杰 Sheng 笙
Jacky Ng Yong Hoe 黄永和 Suona 唢呐
Percussion
Low Yik Hang 刘峰华 Percussion 打击乐
Eugene Toh 卓开祥 # Percussion 打击乐
* Concertmaster 乐团首席
^ Ding Yi’s Visiting Artist
# Guest Musicians 客卿演奏家
Ding Yi Music Company
Established in 2007, Ding Yi is Singapore’s most prodigious Chinese chamber ensemble and the pioneer of the two major local Chinese music events, the Ding Yi Chinese Chamber Music Festival and the composition competition and symposium – Composium. 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, Lu Chunling, Gong Yi and Feng Shaoxian in many concerts, receiving accolades from critics and audiences alike.
Ding Yi is also a proud recipient of its third Chinese Cultural Contribution Award in 2019 and the National Arts Council Major Company Scheme since 2016.
Wong De Li, Dedric, resident conductor
Resident Conductor of the Ding Yi Music Company, Music Director of the Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra, and Nanyang Collective, Wong De Li, Dedric is an accomplished conductor with a passion for traditional Chinese music.
A recipient of the National Arts Council Arts Scholarship in 2014, Dedric was featured in The Straits Times Scholars’ Choice in 2016 and served as a panellist for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth’s Singapore Youth Action Plan in 2019. He earned his Master’s in Orchestral Conducting from the China Conservatory of Music under Professor Yang You Qing, guided by Maestro Tsung Yeh. He also holds a Diploma in Music (Suona Performance) from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), where he was mentored by Singapore Cultural Medallion recipient Dr Tay Teow Kiat.
Dedric’s achievements include guest-conducting the China Sze Chuan Tian Zi Ensemble, Suzhou Symphony Orchestra String Ensemble, and adjudicating the Singapore National Chinese Music Competition in 2018.
Representing Singapore internationally, Dedric has performed in countries including China, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Cambodia.
His contributions to Chinese music have earned him the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts and Cultural Bursary twice, in 2004 and 2006. Dedric is an executive member of the Singapore Chinese Music Federation, Vice President of the Suona and Guan Society of Singapore, and Ensemble Director of the School of the Arts (SOTA) Chinese Chamber Ensemble.
Yvonne Tay, guzheng
An award-winning guzheng musician of Ding Yi Music Company since 2012, Yvonne Tay has extensive experience performing internationally and is a passionate educator. A recipient of the prestigious National Arts Council Arts Scholarship (Undergraduate) in 2015, Tay mastered the guzheng under the tutelage of Madam Yin Qun at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA). She was named Best Graduate as she emerged with a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) conferred in 2017 by the Royal College of Music, which invited her to London to stage a solo recital that same year.
Tay was a soloist at the opening ceremony of the Youth Olympic Games 2010, which was televised live globally. She performed a guzheng solo Wonder Full, composed by late Cultural Medallion winner Iskandar Mirza Ismail, for the 2011 premiere of the Marina Bay Sands Light and Water Spectacular. Her solo recording was again showcased at the 2014 countdown. In 2021, Tay was invited once again to record for Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2021: Light Projection Show – Share the Moment, composed Phang Kok Jun.
Under the banner of Ding Yi, Tay staged sold-out joint solo recitals Proteges of Brilliance in June 2013, and Onwards in April 2018 to critical acclaim.
Her guzheng playing techniques are in the Phoenix Orchestra sample library of traditional Chinese instrumentation and techniques performed by Ding Yi, recorded by Orchestral Tools in 2018. She also performed on the original soundtrack of the Disney movie Mulan in 2019. In 2022, she premiered the local symphony orchestra version of Ru Shi with the Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra.
She is an adjunct lecturer with the Singapore Raffles Music College and an instructor with several guzheng ensembles in Singapore, and is frequently invited as a guest lecturer, speaker, and an adjudicator.
She co-founded the award-winning professional guzheng trio Z3nith Ensemble in 2014, and in March 2022, Tay staged a multisensory concert of music and gastronomy, Music Kneads, as its artistic director and producer.
Tay is the secretary-general of Singapore Qinzheng Association and a member of Singapore Chinese Music Federation Youth Chapter.
Jamshid Saydikarimov, cello
Born in Tashkent city, Uzbekistan, Jamshid started learning the cello at the age of 7. In 2003, he entered Uspensky Specialized Music School, where he studied with Madina Galiulina for 12 years. In 2015, he entered Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore where he pursued his Bachelor's degree and studied with Ng Pei-Sian (Principal Cellist of SSO). In 2014, Jamshid won First Prize in the Knushevitsky International Cello Competition (Russia, Saratov).
He has had masterclasses with Jan Vogler, Alexander Buzlov, Qin Li-Wei, Ni Hai-Ye, Alexei Seleznyov, Tsutsumi Tsuyoshi, Vladimir Tonkha, Johan van Iersel, Jonathan Manson, Tillman Wick. Chamber masterclasses and collaborations with Gábor Takács-Nagy, London Haydn Quartet, Endellion Quartet, Amber Quartet, Takács Quartet, Alexander Sitkovetskiy, New Zealand Quartet, Shanghai quartet, The Juilliard String Quartet, and Shlomo Mintz.
As an orchestra musician, Jamshid has been invited as a Guest Principal Cellist to the Sun Symphony Orchestra in Vietnam, Hanoi. He has performed in Uzbekistan, Russia, Ukraine, Austria, Switzerland, Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, France, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Jamshid performs on a 2020 Paolo Vettori cello, Firenze.
Confluence | Composed by Wang Chenwei
"Confluence" is a composition representing the vibrancy and harmony of Singapore's multi-racial society. Indian and Malay-Indonesian musical styles are fused with Western compositional techniques of counterpoint and fugue, and performed on Chinese instruments.
The piece begins with the full orchestra in unison, imitating the Gong Kebyar style opening of Balinese Gamelan music. The first theme is a flowing melody in Indian style played by the bamboo flute. Next, the lively second theme, which revolves around notes of the Indonesian five-tone pelog scale, is introduced by the plucked-string instruments.
The middle section is made up by a fugue, where a new Indian-style subject played by the pipa is juxtaposed with a Gamelan-style counter-subject. The latter engages in a cross-rhythm of 3/8 against the 4/4 meter, symbolizing the Confucian philosophy of "harmony in diversity".
The final section recapitulates the first section and builds up to a grand ending, where four previously-heard melodic motifs are presented at the same time in counterpoint. This reflects the confluence of cultures in Singapore and encapsulates the spirit of mutual respect and understanding among the four main races.
Hopping Rotation | Composed by Joshua Chan
A dialogue Between the Erhu and Gehu, accompanied by a string quintet, depicts children spinning and moving through an amusement park, hopping continuously or on one foot. Beside them, parents watch in awe at their children's boundless energy, feeling both wonder and gratitude.
The Soil of Qin | Composed by Zhou Zhan
The Soil of Qin is a guzheng composition themed around the rich cultural heritage of Shaanxi Province. Composed by Zhou Zhan in 2008, the piece blends traditional guzheng elements with modern musical styles, reflecting the composer’s deep admiration and tribute to the cultural legacy of the Qin region. The work not only showcases Zhou’s musical talent and personal artistic voice but also plays a significant role in promoting traditional Chinese culture and enriching contemporary music.
The inspiration for The Soil of Qin stems from Zhou Zhan’s long-standing fascination with the history, culture, and natural beauty of Shaanxi. During his travels in the region, he was deeply moved by its profound cultural legacy and strong human spirit. In particular, he was captivated by the grandeur of the Terracotta Warriors and the resilience of the local people. These impressions sparked the idea of channeling these emotions and imagery into music.
During the creative process, Zhou conducted extensive research into the development of Shaanxi’s traditional culture, carefully studying both guzheng and contemporary music composition techniques. Through this, he gradually formed a distinct musical style and rhythmic structure for the piece. The Soil of Qin integrates the ancient charm of Shaanxi’s guzheng traditions with modern musical elements, highlighting the richness, depth, and uniqueness of Qin culture.
In performance, Zhou skillfully orchestrates a variety of instruments—such as guzheng, piano, and electric guitar—to create a dynamic and passionate musical experience. Each note brims with energy and emotion. Through rhythm, tone, and melodic expression, he vividly conveys the spirit, atmosphere, and visual imagery of Shaanxi. Listeners are drawn into an immersive musical journey that reveals the deep allure of this historic land.
Ultimately, The Soil of Qin is more than a beautiful and moving composition—it is a heartfelt tribute to Chinese traditional culture and a meaningful contribution to its contemporary revival. Through this work, Zhou Zhan not only demonstrates his musical mastery and cultural devotion but also brings the essence of the Qin region to a broader audience, offering a powerful interpretation of its natural beauty and human spirit in a modern artistic context.
Song of Autumn | Composed by Zhan Yongming, Orchestrated by Yang Chunlin
This piece was composed in the summer of 1993. In the face of parting from loved ones and the lingering sorrow of distant letters and drifting dreams, the composer employed a romantic approach infused with an uplifting spirit. The music expresses the sentiment: “Since ancient times, autumn has brought sorrow and solitude; yet I say an autumn day surpasses a spring morning. A lone crane soaring into the clear sky carries my poetic thoughts to the blue heavens.” The composition is filled with philosophical imagination and a spirited sense of optimism. The piece unfolds in six sections: (1) Autumn Desolation (Introduction) (2) Longing for Loved Ones (3) Autumn Sorrow and Solitude (4) Drifting Dreams of Home (5) Autumn Surpasses Spring and (6) Pure Sound of the Jade Flute (Coda).
Kangding Reverie | Composed by Li Cangxiao, Arranged by Liu Yuhui
Kangding Reverie is a Chinese traditional folk song from Kangding District in Sichuan, Southwest China, and is also known as "Horse Racing on the Mountain". In 1952, Kangding Reverie won a silver medal at the World Youth Festival in Vienna. In the late 1990s, it was listed by UNESCO as one of the "Ten Most Influential Folk Songs in the World".
Dream of the Red Chamber Overture | Composed by Wang Liping
The music and songs composed by Wang Liping for the television series adaptation of the literary classic Dream of the Red Mansion were widely acclaimed by both local and international viewers. This piece is a rearrangement based on the original music. Deep, subtle, beautiful and simple, this expertly crafted work exudes a rich yet fresh ethnic flavour. The suite consists of 15 movements, of which, 6 movements will be performed tonight.
1. Overture: Based on the main melody of Grief in Vain, the theme song of Dream of the Red Mansion, this movement is in binary form and depicts the almost mystical blend of romance and nihilism within the Jia household.
2. Song of Zi Ling Zhou: Jia Bao Yu’s uncle Jia She betroths his daughter Ying Chun to Sun Shao Zu, an official of the imperial court, and sends her away. Jia Bao Yu misses his cousin greatly and spends his days pining around Zi Ling Zhou where Ying Chun used to live.
3. Song of Red Love Beans: As portrayed in the 28th chapter of Dream of the Red Mansion, this is the song that Jia Bao Yu sang when he attended the feast hosted by Feng Zi Ying.
4. Song of Qingwen: Depicting Qing Wen, the most rebellious of Jia Bao Yu’s maids, this is a sombre song that reflects the trials and tribulation that plague her life.
8. Grief in Vain: This song describes the shattering of the ideal love between Jia Bao Yu and Lin Dai Yu, which devastates Lin Dai Yu and leads to her death.
10. The Piteous Xiang Ling: Originally born a lady of status, Xiang Ling is ensnared within the tragic web of intrigues between the four main households of the story. Her sufferings are a profound reflection of the wretched fate of women underpinning the struggles of a feudal society and also a damning indictment of polygamy.
Longing for Home | Composed by Li Huanzhi
Longing for Home is a large-scale Chinese orchestral piece composed by Li Huanzhi, incorporating folk music elements from Taiwan's Gezaixi (Taiwanese opera) and its offshoot, Fujian's Xiangju (Minnan opera), as well as Nanyin (Southern Pipe music). The piece features traditional Minnan-Taiwan instruments such as the daguangxian (a two-stringed fiddle), Nanyin pipa (Southern lute), and chiba (Southern Pipe bamboo flute) as its principal instruments.
The musical elements used include Taiwanese Gezaixi melodies like "Kudiao" ("Lament"), "Maiyaozi Ku" ("Medicine Seller's Lament"), "Qizidiao" ("Seven-Character Tune"), as well as Nanyin melodies.
The piece expresses the composer's profound nostalgia for his parents' homeland. His father, Li Sunxiu, traced his ancestry to Jinjiang, Quanzhou in Minnan (Southern Fujian), while his mother, Zheng Huizhen, was from Taipei, Taiwan. The couple married in Taiwan and later moved to Hong Kong, where they settled. As a teenager, Li left Hong Kong for Yan'an to join the revolution. After the founding of socialist New China, he worked in central government roles and rarely had the chance to return to Minnan. His only trip back to Taiwan was at age six, when he accompanied his mother to visit his maternal grandmother in Taipei (the composer's uncles and many other relatives still reside in Taiwan, while his elder brother's family returned to Hong Kong from Xiamen after the founding of the People's Republic of China).
In the 1980s, when a Dutch company recorded the first foreign-produced album of the China National Traditional Orchestra, "Fantasia on the Miluo River" (conducted by Yan Huichang), Li Huanzhi was personally invited to oversee the production. Among his self-selected representative works was "Longing for Home."
The piece has since become a staple in the repertoire of many Taiwanese traditional music ensembles and has been performed in numerous concert halls across Taiwan. The Kaohsiung Chinese Orchestra, in collaboration with Yan Huichang, also produced another recorded version in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Passing the Light | Composed by Ken Zhang, Arranged by Yeo Puay Hian
“Passing the Light” is written by Tor Lam Huat and composed by Ken Zhang in 1982. The song depicts a scene of people in a line passing the flame of a candle onwards. The lyrics suggest that our legacy must continue to be passed down with every generation, just like the flames of the candle. The tune was then added to the lyrics by Ken Zhang.