With a desire to develop a uniquely Singaporean sound and encourage new music, Kris Foundation has commissioned and presented works by Singaporean composers.
TENEBROSO (2024) for solo HARP
Tenebroso was premiered in August 2024 at the Esplanade Recital Studio by harpist Karen Tay.
“While composing this piece, I was struck by the images of the volcanic eruption in Iceland near Grindavík and James Fox’s introduction of the colour black in The World According to Colour. The piece starts off in the bass register with oscillating notes and voices spaced closed together, evoking a sense of depth and darkness together with hints of quiet activity bubbling beneath the surface. As the piece progresses, the music opens up, becomes louder and rises through the register, with little moments of light or lava peeking through sporadically until it inevitably erupts into virtuosic displays of glissandi and quick rhythmic motions before its crashing close.
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Memories of a daffodil... (2023) for solo violin
Memories of a daffodil… was premiered in August 2023 at the Esplanade Recital Studio by violinist Joey Lau.
“I composed Memories of a daffodil... when the seasons started changing from winter to spring in London. One of the first signs of change was the burgeoning of daffodils in parks and seeing those fresh blooms being sold in supermarkets. There was nothing quite like the brightest shade of yellow that reminded you of the sun, that heralded better weather and that longer days were ahead of us.”
All the bells at once (2023) for solo piano
All the bells at once was premiered in August 2023 at the Esplanade Recital Studio by pianist Mervyn Lee.
“All the bells at once is inspired by bell concerts. It is my sonic imagination and interpretation of experiencing one, as the auditory soundscape blends and transforms when you walk from one point in the city to another. ”
a japanese poem (2022) for solo piano
A Japanese Poem was premiered in November 2022 at the Esplanade Recital Studio by pianist Miyuki Washimiya.
“I was inspired by the text In Praise of Shadows by Jun’ichiro Tanizaki. It speaks of a nostalgia for traditional Japanese aesthetics and highlights the subtleties of the unique Japanese sensibility. Although this nostalgia sometimes veers into the territory of romanticising the past, Tanizaki makes some interesting observations about the importance of light and shadows in Japanese and Chinese culture. ”
serenata del caffe (2020) for solo guitar
Serenata del Caffe was premiered in August 2022 at the Esplanade Recital Studio by guitarist Kevin Loh.
“Whenever I think of serenades, I think of it as an embrace — warm and comforting; something almost coaxing.”
Cornish Tides (2019) for solo harp
Cornish Tides was premiered in November 2019 at the Esplanade Recital Studio by harpist Laura Peh.
“Cornish Tides was inspired by a trip to St. Michael’s Mount, Cornwall in England during the summer of 2019. The harmonies and textures performed in the music are evocative of the sunshine and water I felt at my feet, as I walked across the man-made causeway to the tidal island.”
Singaporean composer Lim Kang Ning started composing at the age of 19 under the guidance of Tan Kian Wee. Kang Ning decided to pursue composition as she is deeply interested in unravelling all the wonderful music she has heard and finding out what makes them so distinct. Most importantly, she wanted to compose and share music that people could connect with emotionally.
After pursuing a diploma in Arts Business Management in Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Kang Ning then went on to graduate from the Bachelors of Music course at King’s College London (KCL) with first-class honours. During her undergraduate degree, she studied composition with Dr. Robert Keeley. She completed her Masters of Music (Composition) programme with Merit, at the same university under the tutelage of Dr Edward Nesbit and Prof. Silvina Milstein. Kang Ning is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in composition at the University of Bristol with Prof. John Pickard.
Kang Ning’s pieces have been performed in Singapore and the United Kingdom. In August 2022, classical guitarist Kevin Loh gave the world premiere of Serenata del Caffè at Kris Foundation’s ‘A Ray of Light’ concert. In November 2019, Kang Ning’s commissioned piece - Cornish Tides for solo harp, was given its world premiere at Kris Foundation’s ‘Duo:Senses’ Concert at the Esplanade Recital Studio. Her composition, Hues, for a trio of flute, French horn and piano received its world premiere by the Bristol Ensemble in June 2022. Several of her other compositions have also been workshopped by the Lontano Ensemble in London conducted by Odaline de la Martinez. These works include a duo for violin and clarinet (Maybe it’s Fun?) and mixed ensemble pieces (Silver Moon Suite and Concrete Jungle No. 23). In 2019, Concrete Jungle No. 23, was longlisted for the 2019 Ivan Juritz Prize presented by King’s College London.
THE ROSE AND THE NIGHTINGALE (2016)
THE SPIDER-MAIDEN AND THE RUNAWAY PLUM BLOSSOM (2016)
On 17th December 2016, Kris Foundation presented Chamber Opera II, the second series of chamber operas commissioned by Chamber.Sounds, featuring compositions by Dr. Paul Smith (Australia) and Dr. Li Kai Han Jeremiah (Singapore).
The Rose and the Nightingale by Dr Jeremiah Li is based on Oscar Wilde’s proverbial tale of a student’s unrequited love. Including themes of love, sacrifice, selflessness, pity, materialism and gratitude, the story's plot is set in motion when a nightingale overhears a young student express his fears about losing the young woman he loves forever. The young woman threatens to abandon the student unless he gives her a red rose. Taking pity on the student, the nightingale sacrifices her life in order to procure a red rose for the young man. However, the birds' sacrifice proves to be in vain.
The Spider-Maiden and the Runaway Plum Blossom by Dr Paul Smith is in seven scenes and is inspired by traditional Japanese haiku which commonly re ect on the transition between the seasons. The plum blossom is a common signifier of spring. The plot of the opera follows the Plum Blossom who is caught in the Spider Maiden's web while attempting to see the world by riding on the wind on the last day of spring. The two characters sing about their respective positions in the world and the Spider Maiden offers the Plum Blossom one opportunity to be set free by solving a musical riddle.
JOURNEY ON (2015)
On 25 July 2015, in celebration of Singapore’s golden jubilee (SG50), Kris Foundation presented The Journey Back Home at Victoria Concert Hall. The concert stems from reflecting upon a journey back home to pay tribute to the nation that explores what it means to belong. It is often said that home is where the heart is. But the heart is no careless creature, capable of calling anywhere home. It grows slowly, but firmly; and when displaced, holds on tight to its experiences, like roots hold on to nourishing earth.
Kris Foundation commissioned a work by Singaporean composer Phang KokJun. In Journey On, Phang sought to bring out from the sights and sounds of Singapore’s past, present and future. “Then” From how early immigrants to Singapore felt as they travelled in search of new dreams. “Today” outlines the dizzying pace of today’s world. “Tomorrow” begins with an empty and uncertain atmosphere, including the theme from the first movement as a reminder of the reason why this “Journey” began.
“Leaving home is an adventure. Coming home, an understanding. ”