Concertgoers arrived in droves at the Esplanade Concert Hall for the Temasek Foundation SSO National Day Concert on 13 August evening. The in-person event was like a heartwarming reunion that spotlighted music from home, with concertgoers clad in patriotic colours for the nation’s birthday. The last two years saw an online format of the concert due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Hence, the heartening sight of an audience-filled concert hall was one to remember.
Among the attendees were beneficiaries from Boon Lay Community, Moral Welfare Home, The Singapore Association for the Deaf, and Montfort Care.
In addition to having a sign language interpreter on stage throughout the concert, members of the SADeaf were also provided water balloons to enhance their concert experience through the musical vibrations felt on their fingertips.
Thanks to Temasek Foundation and SSO for allowing us to hear, see and feel the music. We enjoyed an orchestra performance, and the show was well-executed.
Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister & Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies attended the National Day Concert as the Guest of Honour.
Led by Singaporean conductor Darrell Ang, the SSO performed eight symphonic pieces that represented the music of our homeland. Our orchestra was also joined by members of the Singapore Youth Orchestra, the voices of Singapore Symphony Choruses, and guest local soloists.
Some highlights include the world premieres of the reimagined Three Sketches of Singapore with the Lorong Boys as soloists, and Alicia de Silvia’s rendition of Echoes of the Woods that was sweetened by the melancholy sounds from soloist Niranjan Pandian’s bansuri (North Indian bamboo flute).
The concert ended fittingly with a special version of the national anthem, Majulah Singapura, orchestrated by Leong Yoon Pin.
Our heartfelt thanks for the support from Temasek Foundation in presenting the concert, and for the donations given to endorse the following compositions by iconic Singaporean brands:
- Stasis by Tsao Chen - supported by Sembcorp Industries Ltd
- 3 Sketches of Singapore by David Loke - supported by PropertyGuru Group
- Up by Lee Chin Sin - supported by UOB
- Home by Dick Lee - supported by Marina Bay Sands
- Little Big Things by Benjamin Lim - made possible by the people of Singapore.
We are also grateful to DBS for their support towards the concert.