Classics to Christmas at the Victoria Concert Hall

We continue to find ways to create opportunities for audience to create memorable and close encounters at the Victoria Concert Hall, home of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO).

Borodin Quartet (Photo credit: Simon Van Boxtel)

For more than 70 years, the Borodin Quartet has been celebrated for its insight and authority in the chamber music repertoire. In the first of a pair of unmissable recitals on 13 and 14 October, the Borodin Quartet is joined by SSO musicians in two of the finest quintets ever written – Schubert’s sublimely crafted C major Quintet and Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet. The Borodin Quartet’s second outing presents a spellbinding pairing of Tchaikovsky’s melodic String Quartet No. 1 with the mesmerising String Quartet No. 15 by Shostakovich. Steeped in history and honed to perfection, the ‘Russian Grand Masters’ make a welcome return to the Victoria Concert Hall.

Connoisseurs of string music will also enjoy an intimate performance by Canadian violinist James Ehnes on 23 October, praised for his ‘honeyed tone and immaculate technique’. Together with acclaimed pianist Andrew Armstrong, the duo will perform Beethoven’s vigorous Violin Sonata No. 1, virtuosic works by Ravel and Brahms, culminating with John Corigliano’s Sonata, the first of his works that brought him success as a composer.

James Ehnes (Photo credit: B Ealovega)

We invite you to try something different with two star-studded programmes. For the first time in Singapore, A New World: intimate music from FINAL FANTASY arrives at the Victoria Concert Hall on 17 November. Featuring conductor Arnie Roth, acclaimed piano soloist Benyamin Nuss and a chamber ensemble of SSO musicians, A New World showcases the music from Nobuo Uematsu’s critically-acclaimed soundtrack from the popular game in an intimate setting.

A New World (Photo credit: Singapore Symphony Orchestra)

Making his Singapore debut on 28 November in our VCH Presents series is award-winning Mahan Esfahani – quite simply the most sought after harpsichordist in the world today. With his great stylistic understanding and an animated passion for music past and present, this concert stops at nothing short of harpsichord brilliance.

On 10 December, Singaporean musical talents, organist Isaac Lee and SSO trumpeter Lau Wen Rong team up for an explosive collaborative journey in VCH Organ Series: Pipe Up!. Together, they will perform Lebanese-French composer Naji Hakim’s Sonata for Trumpet and Organ, written to thrill the listening ear. Showcasing his great technical abilities on the instrument, Isaac closes the programme with Mendelssohn’s Fugue in E minor – a work of atmospheric power and beauty.

Pipe-Up! Isaac Lee and Lau Wen Rong

As Home of the SSO, the VCH continues to welcome schools and families to our activities. The ever-popular Babies’ Proms (8 and 9 December) returns for its 16th edition. Join the SSO and the Singapore Symphony Choruses in their home ground for a festive close to the year in the ever-popular SSO Christmas Concert from 14 to 16 December. It is certainly the most wonderful time of the year!

Babies’ Proms (Photo credit: Singapore Symphony Orchestra)

SSO Christmas Concert (Photo credit: Singapore Symphony Orchestra)

Tickets available here.