Rocky start, big finish for engaging rendition of Ravel

The year 2025 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of French composer Maurice Ravel (1875 to 1937).

- Chang Tou Liang

Renowned for his orchestral works Bolero, La Valse and ballet Daphnis And Chloe, he also wrote a small body of chamber music.

All these were performed by faculty, students and alumni of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory over two concerts.

The first evening opened eventfully with his Sonata For Violin & Cello (1920 to 1922), performed by violinist Qian Zhou and cellist Wang Zihao. Stage lights had not been switched on and the duo played under dim lighting for much of the first movement.

Vigorous pizzicatos and bowings in the second movement led to a dislocation of one of Qian’s strings. An abrupt pause and a quick re-tuning put the music back on track. The pair made the most of the music’s quirky charm, and its use of pentatonics drawn from folk music and jazz, for a compelling reading.