Programme Notes: Cornish Tides by Lim Kang Ning

Lim Kang Ning (b. 1994)

Cornish Tides for solo harp


Cornish Tides is a two-movement suite for harp inspired by a summer road trip to the tidal island of St Michael's Mount in Cornwall. This suite can be thought of as an aural postcard, as I wish to share and evoke the sights and sounds I experienced there. This includes that surreal feeling of walking across the granite causeway that almost felt like walking on water.


The first movement (Recollections) begins with the juxtaposition of some of the lowest notes on the harp against arppegiated chords higher up in the instrument’s tessitura. The contrast in tone colours aims to highlight the expressive potential of the instrument and evoke the immense physical space between the sky and the sea. The music then moves ‘underwater’, with flowing semiquaver accompaniment playing against a lyrical melody. This allusion to water is emphasised through the subsequent glissando passages, where it almost has a ripple-like effect. The music then returns to the texture and melodic idea found in the beginning of the piece, where low notes are being rung against arppegiated chords in the instrument’s higher tessitura.


The second movement (Frolic) showcases the harp's more playful side with a lighter musical texture and faster tempo. It opens with staccato chords and knocking of the harp’s soundboard with the performer’s knuckles and palm. This evokes the little splashes of water and pebbles against our skin. The music then breaks away into a little melody before going into a toccata-like section that is heavily syncopated with an ostinato playing in the left hand. This, in turn, creates a sense of momentum that drives the music forward into a more melodious section that explores the harp’s timbral and textural possibilities. It pits the harp’s glissando against reverberating chords and also harmonics against sustained chords with a pedal slide. The music finally returns to the cheeky staccato chords in the last section before ending with a gong-like effect, by getting the performer to hit the lowest strings on the harp.

 

Feel the kisses from the sun above,

the sand and granite beneath you.

The sound of the gentle waves brushing ashore, coarsing, crawling but adoring your soles.

Dissolved in the surreal

moments before cosmic pulls a reminder, Time catches up.

Slightly submerged with no return,

the journey made then has gone,

with the path ahead only to move on.


Cornish Tides was premiered by harpist Laura Peh at Kris Foundation’s “Duo Senses” on 29 November 2019 at the Esplanade Recital Studio.


Read more about Duo Senses.


Kris Foundation presents Duo Senses: Harp and Piano

Kris Foundation presents Duo Senses: Harp and Piano on 29th and 30th November 2019 at the Esplanade Recital Studio, Singapore. This will be the 21st concert presented by the Kris Foundation since its inception, and our first time presenting a solo harp recital. It gives us pleasure to present Singapore’s pioneering young harpist Laura Peh. We continue our commitment of presenting established pianists, with Dr. Azariah Tan this year.

Duo Senses: Harp and Piano draws parallels between the mystical aura of orientalism which exudes from the sounds of the piano, and the feminine qualities of the harp. Accomplished pianist Dr. Azariah Tan will perform J.S. Bach’s celebrated Goldberg Variations, the first performance of this magnificent work in Singapore’s recent history. Drawing upon her years spent in Paris and London, top harpist Laura Peh will introduce the sonorities and capabilities of the harp with a programme of European music, and premiere a specially commissioned solo work by young Singaporean composer Lim Kang Ning.

Tickets available from SISTIC: https://www.sistic.com.sg/events/duo1119

Cultural Medallion and Young Artist Award Presentation Ceremony 2019

On 16th October 2019, Ms Kris Tan attended the National Arts Council’s Cultural Medallion & Young Artist Award Presentation Ceremony 2019, held at the Istana (Official Residence of the President of Singapore), with Guest-of-Honour President Halimah Yacob. 2019 marks the 40th year since the Cultural Medallion, Singapore’s highest artistic accolade, was first instituted in 1979. Young Artist Award recipients have each excelled creatively in their chosen arts disciplines.

(Image courtesy of The National Arts Council)

National Arts Council's Patron of the Arts Award 2019

Congratulations to our founder Ms Kris Tan on receiving the National Arts Council of Singapore’s Patron of the Arts Award 2019, acknowledging the Kris Foundation's support towards the arts and its valued role in building a vibrant and sustainable arts scene in Singapore. This is Ms Kris Tan's 7th award from the NAC as an arts patron since 2012. Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, graced the occasion, thanking over 200 patrons for their generous and continuous support.

National Arts Council's Patron of the Arts Award 2019

Kris Foundation is happy to announce that founder Ms Kris Tan has been awarded the National Arts Council of Singapore's Distinguished Patron of the Arts Award, her seventh award. Ms Tan was honoured at the Patron of the Arts Award ceremony in Singapore on 17th July 2019.

“Let our present effort shape the future of philanthropy.”
— Ms Kris Tan, Founder, Kris Foundation

(Photo: National Arts Council)

The Straits Times, Singapore (18 July 2019)