Sinfonia 2007

Presented by Nanyang Polytechnic Symphony Orchestra

Friday, 16th November 2007
NYP Auditorium, 7.30pm

Concert Programme:

March of Meistersinger
Austrian Peasant Dance
Swan Lake
Lord of the Rings – “Hobbits”
“Finale” – Symphony No.2 in C
One Moment in Time
Percussion Ensemble
Miss Saigon (A Symphonic Portrait)
Phantom of the Opera
Fly Me to the Moon
Yue Lai Xiang
Highlights from Chess

The hall was rather packed and we got off to a late start with many people still pouring in, it seemed like we were going for a full house. The concert started without much hassle and the first piece began.

March of the Meistersingers

I found this a befitting piece for a starter. The violins of the orchestra did a fine job. The piece ultimately led the concert on to a good start.

Austrian Peasant Dance

The orchestra took this one quite well with good contrast which I must say was most relaxing and pleasant to listen to. I certainly did enjoy this piece.

Swan Lake

In this piece the oboes came in a wee bit off tune but this was ultimately made up by the orchestra by having a very good contrast in volume.

These first three pieces were rather String intensive (what? really??? LOL sia) for the strings section and they took a break while the symphonic section took up the next piece.

Lord of the Rings – “Hobbits”

The band did this one quite well with a fabulous introduction and good balance. I simply enjoyed the nice steady tempo they were going. The glockenspiel came out just nicely in volume and the flutes had good intonation.

Although the band was slightly out of tune towards the end at the quiet portion none the less the piece was very entertaining and the band seemed to have enjoyed themselves with this piece.

The next piece was presented by the full orchestra again.

Finale Symphony in C

This was a pleasant piece but the pizzicato by the violins was not very clear. The orchestra had good contrast in volume and the piece ended very nicely.

One Moment In Time

This piece was originally sang by Whitney Houston at the 2001 Seoul Olympics and the NYP Symphony Orchestra did a fine job with this one. This piece was complete with singers and one could plainly see the singers were talented in their own right and were enjoying the song.

The orchestra had a good balance in volume between themselves and the singers. The climax was great and the horn and trumpet parts were fabulous (oh of course!). The ending was just simply marvellous. I really enjoyed this one.

After the intermission we came back to a treat by the percussion ensemble.

Their act was very well co-ordinated (BULLS***) and was very entertaining.

Miss Saigon (A Smphonic Portrait)

The introduction for this piece was good but the helicopter sound effects drowned out the band slightly, this was quickly rectified though.

The oboes were slightly out of tune at the beginning but this was made up for by a good climax and a pleasing saxophone contrast. During the piccolo solo however it was slightly out of tune, good try though!

(you *********** lah. )

(never die before IZZIT !?!?)

Phantom of the Opera

This one started quite well but the tremolos by the violins was a bit off and some minor intonation errors. Trumpet parts midway through the song were a wee bit messy. However all this was made up for by a fabulous violin and flute solo which were truly emotional.

At the “Masquerade” portion, it was slightly out of tune and a tad bit messy. Certain portions of the song such as “Music of the Night” could simply melt hearts. Although it has its share of problems, I enjoyed the piece as played by the NYP orchestra.

Fly Me To The Moon

This song had a good balance with a fabulous trumpet part and this was much complimented with the singer’s fabulous singing. The piece had a nice ending which I enjoyed.

Yue Lai Xiang

Nice singing accompanied with good balance. A fine performance by the clarinet section!

This next piece entitled “Legends of the fall” was a special piece by the orchestra for Mr Luk on his retirement following this concert. A fabulous treatment to a piano solo accompanied by the gradual addition of the strings and finally symphonic band.

The orchestra showed good emotion in this piece and the solos of both the violin and flute were just heart warming. As the piece ended i took a look behind me and saw Mr Luk, their conductor, crying apparently from the memories he’s had with the NYP Orchestra.

The String section once again took their leave and the band took the last piece on the repertoire.

Highlights from Chess

Good start for with good balance. The Clarinet tutti (formally solo) was slightly messy but was good nonetheless. The flute solo was very expressive and I enjoyed it very much. Towards the “Anthem” portion, the oboes was slightly out of tune. The trumpet solo was also slightly unclear. The ending had a great balance and expression was simply fabulous. This piece ended very grandly. I enjoyed this piece very much.

Encore 1: The clarinets outdid themselves with the running notes. The band had a very good climax in this piece.

Encore 2: The band was very expressive in this piece and I must say the saxophones must have been the most expressive judging from the players. This piece brought a fabulous ending to the concert.

Personally I’ve been waiting for this concert a long time and I must say I was not let down at all (you've got to be kidding me right? you weren't LET DOWN??that's all you can say?!?!?!! ), for this concert is one I simply enjoyed.

Keep it up you guys and girls at NYP Symphony Orchestra!

Reviewed by Benjamin Toh
Band Fusion Editorial Team

17th November 2007