Esplanade reflects on Singapore's coming of age
The national arts centre's SG50 celebration is decidedly mellow as it digs into the past to revisit 'discarded' local treasures.
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Helmi Yusof
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ESPLANADE'S CEO Benson Phua had the perfect metaphor for his point: The late composer Iskandar Ismail used to create an original composition to which the fireworks display at the Marina Bay New Year's celebration would be choreographed. But on the actual night, the audience would be so wowed by the fireworks that the orchestral music was ignored and drowned out.
"Iskandar's body of work was illuminating. It's the soundtrack of Singapore as it evolved through the years, just as the instrumentation that he used evolved."
"There was an interview he gave in which he said the music reflected the trials and tribulations of the country. But those who came for the New Year's Countdown may have discarded or closed their ears to the music."
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