A Night in Italy in Singapore

Got nothing better to do after the training course. Rather than stay in the hotel and watch cable TV, I walked over to Esplanade to see what events are on. Bought myself a ticket for A Night in Italy featuring the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) conducted by Lan Shui with solo violinist Jin Li. According to the programme, SSO first violinist Jin Li is a former protege of the legendary Yehudi Menuhin. Born in Guangzhou, Jin Li began violin studies at five and studied at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Primary School before he was selected bMenuhinim himself to study music at the Yehudi Menuhin School at the age of 11. The former child prodigy played alongside Menuhin at the United Nations 40th Anniversary Concert together with the NHK Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with the master on a recording of Bach's Double Violin Concerto.

Below is the programme:

• Rossini The Italian Girl in Algiers: Overture (9Â’)
• Paganini Violin Concerto No. 2 in B minor, Op. 7 ‘La CampanellaÂ’ (31Â’)

Allegro maestoso

Adagio

Rondo a la clochette - "La Campanella"



• Intermission (20')
• Respighi Fountains of Rome (15Â’)
• Tchaikovsky Capriccio Italien, Op. 45 (15Â’)

Jin Li came onstage to play Paganini's Violin Concerto No. 2. He plays quite well, but he struggles in the more technically-demanding parts. This is just my opinion, but in some sections, he's just way out of tune. He redeemed himself though in his encore piece right before intermission. Just the same, I was at the head of the queue at the stall foyer to get his autograph.

Most of the pieces are new to me, so I quite enjoyed the performance. My only complaint are the two ladies beside me who were whispering away while the orchestra was playing. These two can't take a hint. The other guy sitting on their other side was so annoyed he left before the concert was over.