Wong Kah Chun pairs Dvorak and Elgar in astute programme for SSO

For the second pair of concerts with home-grown conductor Wong Kah Chun leading the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, one initially wondered what British composer Malcolm Arnold's Four Scottish Dances had to do with Czech composer Antonin Dvorak's Violin Concerto.

- Chang Tou Liang

CONCERT AKIKO SUWANAI AND KAHCHUN WONG - DVORAK AND ELGAR Singapore Symphony Orchestra Victoria Concert Hall April 4

On paper, it appeared strange. But in reality, Wong — the principal conductor of the Halle Orchestra in Manchester and chief conductor of the Japan Philharmonic — had devised a very astute bit of programming.

Both works were based on folk music, the Scottish Dances opening with syncopated swagger in the A minor key, then going through traditional jigs and reels associated with the highland country. The slow third movement's modal melody even resembled those heard in Chinese music, while the closing dance featured frenetic fiddling in A major.

That sumptuous wallow played a perfect prelude to the Dvorak, also in A minor, which was rooted in Bohemian folk music.

Its emphatic syncopated opening saw Japanese violinist Akiko Suwanai in imperious form.

Coaxing a glorious tone from her Guarneri Del Gesu violin, her solos rose well above the orchestral throng, and there could not have been a more lyrical and emotional response in the slow movement which tugged on the heartstrings.