SSO scales An Alpine Symphony, soars with Korngold Violin Concerto

The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) performing music with the accompaniment of projected visuals is not something novel.

- Chang Tou Liang

AN ALPINE SYMPHONY IN IMAGES + KORNGOLD VIOLIN CONCERTO Singapore Symphony Orchestra Esplanade Concert Hall July 18

Back in 2010, the orchestra under Shui Lan's direction played Claude Debussy's La Mer (The Sea) against stunning imagery of marine life provided by SSO first violinist William Tan, who is well known as a diving photographer.

Romantic German composer Richard Strauss' tone poem Eine Alpensinfonie or An Alpine Symphony (1915), at almost 50 minutes long, is double the length of Debussy. Sometimes criticised for bombast and self-indulgence, the work has weathered well in concerts and on record.

Now add some 400 photographic stills on-screen by German photographer and film-maker Tobias Melle, himself a professional cellist, and the overall experience is enhanced.