VIVA Concerti: Where the Twain Shall Meet

Description

VIVA Concerti: Where the Twain Shall Meet is a landmark concert that brings together music, culture and compassion in support of children with cancer. Presented in conjunction with VIVA Foundation's 20th anniversary, the concert reflects VIVA's belief that hope, healing and humanity transcend race, language, religion and nationality. Performed by talented musician Niu Niu (Zhang Shengliang) and the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra under the baton of maestro Chan Tze Law, the programme offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience these timeless masterpieces within a single evening, creating a rich musical dialogue where East and West meet through the universal language of music. The concert itself marks a significant milestone in classical music performance. It is believed to be among the first occasions that a soloist and orchestra will present one movement each from eight different concertos in a single concert. This unprecedented concept not only celebrates the diversity and brilliance of the concerto repertoire but also reflects the concert's overarching theme of connection, bringing together different cultures, traditions and musical voices in one extraordinary performance. Adding to the historic nature of the evening, Niu Niu will perform not only as a pianist but also as a violinist for a short version of the Butterfly Lovers Concerto with the orchestra. He will perform a violin concerto movement with the orchestra, marking the first time he has appeared publicly as a concerto soloist on the violin in Asia. The opportunity to witness a world-renowned pianist perform as both piano and violin soloist within the same concert is exceptionally rare and represents a remarkable artistic achievement. The concert symbolises Singapore's role as a bridge between East and West, bringing together musical traditions from different cultures in a spirit of friendship, understanding and peace. Combining artistic innovation, cultural exchange and philanthropy, VIVA Concerti: Where the Twain Shall Meet promises to be a historic evening that celebrates the power of music to unite people and inspire hope for children and families affected by childhood cancer. Programme 1. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 23 First Movement 2. Frédéric Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 Second Movement 3. Sergei Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 Third Movement INTERMISSON (20 minutes) 4. He Zhanhao & Chen Gang Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto (short version) Violin: Niu Niu (Debut) 5. Franz Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major First Movement 6. Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor” Third Movement 7. George Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue 8. Yin Chengzong et al. Yellow River Piano Concerto Fourth Movement “Defend the Yellow Rive