A few months ago I had the pleasure of attending a performance entitled ‘Orchestre des Continents’ at the Esplanade Concert Hall in Singapore, while I was an intern there through my University's study abroad program. I pulled a ticket as soon as I found out they would be playing Rachmaninov’s second piano concerto, because it’s definitely one of my favorite pieces.
Let’s be honest, it’s one of everyone’s favorite pieces.
This was a collaborative performance between Singapore and Switzerland conducted by the acclaimed Swiss conductor, Thierry Fischer, featuring world-renowned pianist Louis Schwizgebel, the Yong Seow Toh Conservatory of Music at NUS, the Haute École De Musique De Lausanne, and the Haute École De Musique De Genève. Repertoire included Rach 2 (Of course), Michael Jarrell’s 3 Etudes de Debussy, and Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 1.
The concert itself was nothing short of spectacular. It was truly an international event, with a diverse audience, full of members from various demographics. It has actually been a while since I had actually attended a traditional, orchestral concert.
Seated in the Esplanade Concert Hall that evening, listening to that full, wall of sound, really had me experiencing one of those soul-searching epiphany moments. Lots of nostalgia. I was suddenly very reminiscent of my High School Wind Band’s performance of the 1st movement of Rach 2 and how I fell in love with it upon first listen.
On a larger scale, I suddenly remembered why I had decided to study western classical music way back in high school. I had been in Singapore for about two months, at the time, in the hopes of looking into career opportunities in the Arts through Esplanade, and I really had gotten tremendous exposure to so many different genres of music. The venue hosted artists from all over the world. My global perspective was definitely growing and changing, and it was really very refreshing. Studying at a competitive conservatory like CCM, or any big conservatory, can sometimes catch you in a classical-music bubble and keep you trapped in your own world of rigor and competition. So it had been nice to work in an atmosphere where all art forms were celebrated and embraced, not just Western Classical music.
Interestingly enough, though, those two hours of attending “Orchestre des Continents” temporarily brought me back to my music-major world, and I found that I missed it more than ever.
As I left the concert hall that evening, I just felt this overwhelming urge to go and practice for hours. And to have a lesson with my incredible voice teacher, whom I missed dearly. And actually attend an 8am music theory lecture through which I normally would be struggling to stay awake. I remembered why I chose this path. And I remembered why I put so much hard work into diction study, language study, pre-screening recordings, aural skills training, choral rehearsals, juries/boards, etc. etc. etc. etc.
It’s because I love it.
I’m not by any means a classical music snob, and I'm sure many of us young musicians are not. As members of Gen Y, we have all grown up to keep our eyes and minds open. I, personally, am a huge Coldplay fan. And I’m actually listening to Enya right now, as I’m writing this. I love listening to and performing Indian music, both bollywood and classical. I listen to '80s artists such as Enigma, and Deep Forest. I own the Snarky Puppy Family Dinner album. I think Ariana Grande is an immensely talented vocalist, as are Lea Michelle, Julie Andrews, and Whitney Houston. I think the "Harry Potter" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" scores are brilliant. The list goes on.
But at the same time, I chose to major in Music History and Voice and immerse myself into the western classical music world because the conservatory environment allows me to connect to history in such a unique way, and it requires so much diligence, so much time, so much patience and dedication, that it makes me feel like I am learning and growing and making the most of my passion. Being a classical singer allows me to develop a foundation in one of the oldest and most respected art forms in the world.
It is difficult, competitive, and sort-of elite, and the fact of the matter is, upon graduation, not every cellist is going to get that symphony position. Not every pianist is going to make it as a touring concert artist. And not every young soubrette soprano is going to make an über-successful met debut.
But I guess I’ve realized, as should many of us, that I shouldn’t be scared of this, because I know that being a seasoned musician is what will give me the most joy. Being able to wake up each morning and do the very thing that has given me inspiration all my life, will be the most fulfilling. And isn’t self-fulfillment what we are ultimately all looking for?
This might be a bit cliché, but I think the moral of the story here is to always love what you do. When you love what you do everything will fall into place.
C’est tout.
