Enjoyable 'big' chamber concert

The music of Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) had been so underrated and under-represented that two works, a piano concerto and a symphony, were being performed for the very first time in Singapore.

- Chang Tou Liang

The music of Joseph Haydn (17321809) had been so underrated and under-represented that two works, a piano concerto and a symphony, were being performed for the very first time in Singapore.

His only failing was being too prolific and not dying young enough, like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert or Ludwig van Beethoven.

The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) led by Swiss conductor Stefan Blunier made up for much lost time in this intriguing concert.

Haydn's Piano Concerto No. 4 In G Major - even its title is Beethovenian - should have been heard more often, simply because of its sheer congeniality.

An air of buoyancy and daintily plucked chords from the piano by German pianist Moritz Ernst established its place as likeable chamber music from its outset.