‘Complicated’ is just the word we use when we don’t have ways to talk about the simplest of things.” The Way We Go follows Agatha Mao, former principal of the Convent of Our Lady of Lourdes, as she experiences the greatest loves of her life: Edmund, her intellectual partner, and Violet, her best friend. Sprawling over 12 years, this tender story of love and friendship between outsiders also brings into relief the fraught relationship of former students Lee and Gillian, who come to ask the same questions as their elders: What are the costs of love? Why do people need … Continue reading checkpoint theatre: the way we go (28/11)

(the synopsis of the play can be found here) cast: adrian pang as ralph karen tan as nancy janice koh as agnetha the play is written by bryony lavery, a british dramatist. i did not read the play before watching it, so i entered the studio just armed with the knowledge of what i had read from the synopsis. (at least i did not think that it was the disney film, as someone next to me had uttered to her friend…) i did have some expectations of the cast, and i was soon to see that some were met and some, not. … Continue reading pangdemonium: frozen (25/10)

conducted by: eiji oue violin: kyoko takezawa programme b: toshiro mayuzumi: BUGAKU ballet in two parts piotr ilyich tchaikovsky: violin concerto in D major, op. 35 * igor stravinsky: the rite of spring my personal favourite from the programme was actually the stravinsky piece. i preferred it a little more than the tchaikovsky, although the latter was remarkable. as written in the programme, toshiro mayuzumi’s piece was one that highlighted aspects of japanese music and culture, having gained credence at certain operas and shows. the technique of the orchestra was undoubtedly flawless in performing the pieces, yet occasionally i felt lapses in the presence … Continue reading tokyo philharmonic singapore 2014 (20/03)

source setlist: can’t seem to find it anywhere, but among those that they played i remember lovers 1, hands, gasoline, seeing red what i loved about this was the energy of all of them. absolutely engaging and energetic, they made it even easier for the audience to really get into the music just like they were. of course, the personalities were a plus as well. it goes without saying that they were really good live, even better than on recordings. the whole concert was fun and enjoyable because they made it so. in fact, i considered going in again for the second … Continue reading mosaic music festival 2014: alpine (15/03)

source setlist: lines sheffield watch over i tried night bus middle of the bed shiver cover up nebraska all i’ve got red face köln bikes encore: be alright don’t you worry it was a really lovely night spent in the recital studio listening to her sing. initially she was a little awkward but i loved the other members of the band as well; my favourite part of the whole concert was how all of them seemed so into the performance – as though they were just jamming by themselves and they really looked as though they were enjoying themselves. and … Continue reading mosaic music festival 2014: lucy rose (14/03)

setlist: (to be updated) was greeted by a long queue outside the recital studio before it started, and i was so shocked to see so many people. before he started, he said that he would be carrying out a little experiment – he made the audience sing ‘ah’ to the tune of the c note, while he recorded it and played it back. then he began and it was magical: personally, tears started streaming down my face at one point in the first song. later on, i heard many other people sniff as well, some even tried to discreetly blow … Continue reading mosaic music festival 2014: Ólafur Arnalds (09/03)

setlist: don’t swallow the cap i should live in salt sorrow mistaken for strangers bloodbuzz ohio sea of love afraid of everyone squalor victoria i need my girl this is the last time abel slow show pink rabbits graceless about today fake empire encore: mr. november terrible love vanderlyle crybaby geeks i loved this so much. so, so much. they started on time, and were so good live. especially with the trumpet and trombone, so skillfully played with good tone. my favourite songs were this is the last time, and i teared when they played about today. his deep, soothing, … Continue reading hostess club weekender: the national (22/02)

(unable to procure the setlist yet…) personally not that great a fan of eots, but went along anyway because i liked what i heard from youtube. they were close to an hour late before they started and it did not leave the best impression, did not make it that great a start either. i really think musicians should practice punctuality instead of making the audience wait, it just seems rude to make the audience wait when they have already paid for the concert. at least the company i had was good and i managed to more or less enjoy myself. … Continue reading empire of the sun (21/02)

source conductor: joshua tan piano: shane thio cello: ng pei-sian repertoire: oriental wind, for orchestra my neighbour totoro, orchestra stories (narrated by william ledbetter) departures, for violoncello and orchestra saka no ue no kumo, for orchestra one summer’s day (spirited away), for piano and orchestra kiki’s delivery service, for piano, percussion, and strings summer (kikujiro), for piano and orchestra water traveller, for orchestra encore: one summer’s day my neighbour totoro i hate to say this but it was actually rather disappointing. this is because i sincerely believe that the venue was not the best venue to hold a concert for … Continue reading SSO pops concert: spirited away – the music of joe hisaishi (15/02)

source spent my valentine’s day evening this year watching eusoff hall’s dance production, only because i wanted to support my neighbours and there is no other better way i could have spent the night other than being alone yet still in the company of these great girls. my personal understanding is that a lot of effort was put into this production, as it is for every annual production, and i was glad to see their efforts come to fruition. the location (ucc) served to be a good place because the lighting and sound systems were really good. the plot was … Continue reading EHDP: love is a place (14/02)