Chamber Classics at RC4
Chamber Classics at RC4
22 January 2025
Written by Josiah Cheng
RC4 is not just a place for STEM-focused events and classes! Here, we celebrate our diverse and multi-talented community. From Arts Night to Chamber Classics, there are a plethora of platforms for both experienced and beginner students to develop and showcase their artistic interests, and to grow appreciation for various forms of artistic expression.
On the evening of 22nd January 2025, RC4 residents were treated to a night of captivating performances by their professors and peers. From the masterful classical pieces of Chopin and Beethoven to fan favourites from Studio Ghibli and The Wizard of Oz, the night’s performers showed immense dedication to their craft in RC4’s first ever edition of Chamber Classics.
Chamber Classics is RC4’s inaugural event dedicated to chamber music, offering residents and professors the opportunity to perform or listen to this genre. Thanks to the generous donation of a baby grand piano to RC4 this year, the event added a unique niche to the College’s vibrant arts scene. This is in addition to RC4’s existing platforms for its artists, including the annual Arts Night, where Arts Interest Groups showcase dance, music, theatre, and fashion to the community.
The event kicked off with exuberance and energy with pieces such as Czárdás played by Lee Xin Hong (Year 2, Mathematics, Violin) and Chloe Siew (Year 2, Life Sciences, Piano) and En Avril a Paris and Boum! played by Tan Chong Ren (Year 4, Business Analytics, Piano).
Du Jiesheng (Year 3, Chemical Engineering, Piano) delivered a whimsical performance of Minute Waltz by Frederic Chopin and Prelude in G Minor, Op. 23, No. 5 by Sergei Rachmaninoff. In Three Marches Militaires, D. 733 by Franz Schubert, Ryan Tan (Year 2, Data Science and Economics, Piano) and Jasmine Hum (Year 1, Engineering Science, Piano) played a four-hands piano piece blending march-like rhythms with dance-like qualities with its dotted rhythms and march themes.
In Liebesträume No. 3 in A-flat Major, S. 541, Hong Tzin (Year 2, Data Science and Analytics, Cello)’s rich cello tones accompanied Tan Yilan (Year 2, Law, Piano)’s lyrical phrases on the piano. A stand-out String Quartet performance of Death and the Maiden presented by Lee Xin Hong (Violin 1), Kara Rei (Year 2, Business Analytics, Violin 2), Mei Yi (External Guest, Viola), and Hannah Tan (Year 3, Political Science, Cello) perfectly conveyed the relentless and unsettling struggle with mortality.
RC4’s Master, Assoc. Prof. Peter Pang, and Aquila Resident Fellow, Assoc. Prof. Tan Tin Wee, also joined the performances. Prof. Pang played Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, describing it as a “highly complex” and “haunting” piece that weaves together the voices of a lamenting ghost, the relentless passage of time, and the inevitability of fate. He expressed gratitude for CFA’s donation and hopes for more events to showcase the diverse talents of RC4’s STEM-focused but multi-talented community. Prof. Tan echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of such events in fostering artistic expression.
For those unaccustomed to classical music, the event saved a few pieces for familiar tunes. Any fan of Howl’s Moving Castle would recognize Joe Hisaishi’s Merry Go Round of Life which was performed by Nicolino (Year 1, Mathematics, Violin 1), Lee Xin Hong (Violin 2), and Chloe Siew (Piano). Another modern classic, Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz, was also played by Ashton Elder (Year 3, Astrophysics, Violin) and Ariel Mo (Year 1, Business Analytics, Piano). During this short and sweet duet, Ashton and Ariel complemented each other to subtly convey Dorothy’s yearning for a place far away.
Yann Wei (Year 2, Physics, Primo) and Mingjun (Year 1, Architecture, Secondo) played Hakujitsu by King Ngu, a powerful and emotional song about loss, renewal, and hope. Louis Chung (Year 1, Business Administration, Piano) played an incredibly moving and grand medley drawing songs from the Japanese animated film, Suzume.
The talented performers of Chamber Classics.
Cadence Siow (Year 3, Biomedical Engineering) who initiated and organised the event shared, “I didn’t expect Chamber Classics to have such a high turnout. I’m so touched to see so many people (in RC4) show interest in classical music.” This interest was not to be underestimated, as she got to interact with many classical music lovers amongst residents and alumni when curating the programme. Cadence shared her keen interest in music with the audience, teaching how Sonatas are structured in music, before applying her theory into practice in her performance of Beethoven’s Sonata in F minor Op. 2 No. 1 (IV: Prestissimo). She expressed immense joy being able to venture into a different genre of music, and that there are different Arts events for everyone to enjoy in RC4.
Working with Cadence to bring Chamber Classics to life were the talented performers from the night. Chloe embraced this “truly unique milestone”, saying “I really enjoyed performing and interacting with other like-minded, talented and passionate peers! Words alone can't express all the colourful vibrant emotions I felt.”
Chloe remains hopeful that future editions will come for more students to showcase their hidden talents. As for Louis, he thanked Cadence for encouraging him to play songs that he genuinely loved rather than restricting himself to classical music pieces, which created an “amazing experience” for him when playing it for fellow residents.
