Arts Picks
NHK Symphony Orchestra plays classics and Pokemon themes
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NHK Symphony Orchestra will be led by conductor Tatsuya Shimono (left). Pianist Kyohei Sorita will play his signature piece, Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3.
PHOTO: SHIN YAMAGISHI, YUJI UENO
NHK Symphony Orchestra Special Concert
It has been a banner year for classical music fans so far. Hot on the heels of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra’s Singapore debut in March is the NHK Symphony Orchestra’s first performance here in 24 years. Led by prize-winning conductor Tatsuya Shimono, the orchestra is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026 and has been feted for its discipline and precision.
The orchestra’s wide-ranging programme on April 29 includes Divertimento For The Orchestra by late Japanese composer and former NHK Symphony conductor Yuzo Toyama, as well as Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes, Op. 33a by English composer Benjamin Britten.
Fans can also look forward to hearing pianist Kyohei Sorita play. The second prize-winner at the 2021 International Chopin Piano Competition will perform his signature piece, Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3.
For a more light-hearted programme, Pokemon fans will want to catch a free concert at the DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre on April 28. The orchestra’s brass section will play familiar favourites from the beloved media franchise and Pikachu will make a special appearance.
The orchestra’s concerts commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Singapore and Japan.
Where: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive
MRT: Esplanade
When: April 28, 7.15pm (Pokemon Brass Concert); April 29, 7.30pm (NHK Symphony Orchestra)
Admission: Free for Pokemon Brass Concert; $50 to $210 for NHK Symphony Orchestra
Info: str.sg/AQ7w
Fase, Four Movements To The Music Of Steve Reich
Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s Fase, Four Movements To The Music Of Steve Reich kicks off the fourth edition of da:ns focus.
PHOTO: ANNE VAN AERSHOT
Two dancers on a stage and the hypnotic repetitions of American composer Steve Reich’s minimalist music command attention in this classic of contemporary choreography.
The fourth edition of Esplanade’s da:ns focus kicks off with Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s Fase, Four Movements To The Music Of Steve Reich, which revolutionised contemporary dance choreography when it premiered in 1982. Requiring stamina and precision from its performers, the work taps simple movements and geometric forms that build in harmony and fall out of sync, all mapped to Reich’s music.
Its mathematical rigour and exacting simplicity have ensured that the piece has remained a staple of contemporary dance programming worldwide. See it danced by De Keersmaeker’s company Rosas in this staging, which fits neatly with da:ns focus’ theme of On Loop.
Dance fans will want to catch the April 23 and 24 shows, which will be followed by post-show talks with the artistic team. Dancers can also register for a masterclass with Norwegian dancer Tale Dolven on April 25.
Where: Singtel Waterfront Theatre, 8 Raffles Avenue (Fase); Esplanade Rehearsal Studio, 1 Esplanade Drive (masterclass)
MRT: Esplanade
When: April 23 to 25, 7.30pm
Admission: $55 for performance; $40 for masterclass
Info: str.sg/prcN
Tapestry Of Peranakan Stories
Hear stories created by Peranakan theatremakers at Tapestry, an initiative to develop contemporary stories about the community.
PHOTO: TAPESTRY
Drop in at the latest instalment of Tapestry to listen to contemporary Peranakan stories being developed by theatremakers.
The Necessary Stage (TNS) founder and director Alvin Tan, who is Peranakan, has been mentoring these storytellers under this initiative.
He has big plans to expand its depth and reach, pointing out that the definition of, and conversation about, cross-cultural identity has long been confined to Chinese-Malay Peranakans in the Straits communities.
“Peranakan itself has a diversity which is eclipsed. You have the Chetti Melaka, you have the Jawi Peranakan. And then there is the narrative that the Peranakans have to be rich. There’re a lot of narratives and texts that need to be revised.”
His background in theatre and intercultural work with TNS have been helpful in bridging conversations between different communities and generations. He hopes with Tapestry not only to decolonise narratives about Peranakan identity, but also “to contemporise it, make it relevant to the younger ones and non-Peranakan speakers”.
Hence the trio of open readings of works in progress by Peranakan storytellers at the Asian Civilisations Museum over three months. Actress Karen Tan will be involved with Ryan Ng’s TAK (Tembok Ada Kuping, or The Wall Has Ears), while Nora Samosir will be in TAK and Dawn Marie Lee’s Bitter Tea.
Where: Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium, Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place
MRT: Raffles Place
When: April 17, 7pm (Kebaya Mama); May 1, 7pm (Bitter Tea); June 26, 7pm (TAK)
Admission: Free
