Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago

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For enquiries, please contact Dr. Kelly Tang at ymktang@gmail.com
Audio: youtube.com/watch?v=8MYs3du9MKU
Metropolitan Festival Orchestra
Prof. Chan Tze Law, Conductor

_"Movements in Time – Artworks from the National Gallery_ is a suite for orchestra inspired by artworks from National Gallery Singapore. The suite begins with a _Fanfare_ reflecting the grandeur of the Gallery’s building. A heroic movement follows entitled _The Idealist,_ inspired by Chua Mia Tee’s painting _Epic Poem of Malaya._

This leads to a _Mystery_ scherzo based on Simryn Gill’s macabre photograph of a dilapidated building from her _Standing Still_ series.

In the _Interlude_ that ensues, the oboe and clarinet restate the introductory _Fanfare_ theme. This paves the way for the graceful _Contemplation_ movement, tracing the gentle contours of Eng Tow’s _Bowls._ A sudden storm breaks this peace, which clears when the graceful theme returns.

The audience is then confronted by the probing questions of the _Enigma_ movement, inspired by Han Sai Por’s organic and alien sculpture from her _Extinction_ series. _Movements in Time – Artworks from the National Gallery_ closes with a festive _Dance_ inspired by Sarkasi Said Tzee’s celebratory batik painting _Voices of the Soul._

Each of these movements can be performed individually or in any combination the performer prefers. _Movements in Time – Artworks from the National Gallery_ hopes to attract more concertgoers to view the expressive and evocative art pieces displayed at the National Gallery Singapore." - Dr. Kelly Tang

0:00 I. Fanfare

2:01 II. The Idealist
inspired by Chua Mia Tee's _Epic Poem of Malaya_ (1955)

Described as a heroic movement by the composer, this painting by Chua Mia Tee captures and inspires a strong desire to instill Malayan nationalism in the younger generation. A gathering of students attentively listens, captivated by their leader as they recite nationalistic poems about Malaya. The faint glimmer of light amidst the dark clouds symbolises the promise of brighter days ahead with the achievement of independence.

7:04 III. Mystery
inspired by Simryn Gill's _Standing Still #28_ (2000 - 2003)

_Standing Still_ comprises 117 photographs created by Simryn Gill throughout her three-year journey across the Malaysian countryside from 2000 to 2003. These photographs were captured in the aftermath of the 1997 financial crisis, a period marked by numerous abandoned and unfinished building projects. The artist depicts her experience of encountering and confronting each of these locations simultaneously. She describes them as a moment frozen in time, where the remnants of the past lie in ruins, neglected and unattended, while the prospects of the future have also been abandoned and are starting to crumble. It is a state of stagnation with no viable path forward or backward. The composer musically responded to Gill's Photograph #28 of a dilapidated building with a sense of mystery in the music.

14:56 IV. Interlude

16:05 V. Contemplation
inspired by Eng Tow's _Bowls_ (1979)

Eng Tow, a Singaporean artist, has gained recognition for her textile paintings referred to as "cloth reliefs". Her series called _Bowls_ showcases her profound grasp of shapes, form, and depth through sculptural paintings. The composer hopes to musically trace the gentle contours of the Bowls through sensitive touches in his flowing musical lines. A contrasting faster middle section is then heard before the lyrical theme returns again.

21:58 VI. Enigma
inspired by Han Sai Por's _Extinction series 12_ (2009)

Han Sai Por is well-known for her sculptures carved in stone, bringing to life figurative forms and organic shapes from hefty granite blocks. Inspired by this unique and alien-looking appearance, the composer wrote this movement reflecting his impression of the sculpture using shifting tonalities, dissonances and mysterious-sounding tone colours.

27:57 VII. Dance
inspired by Sarkasi Said Tzee's _Voices of the Soul_ (Undated)

Sarkasi Said Tzee, a highly acclaimed Singaporean batik painter, gained international recognition for his unique application of a wax-resisting technique in batik painting, his vibrant colour choices, and his frequent portrayals of the natural world. The festive impression of the painting has inspired the composer to create a celebratory dance as the suite comes to a close. Listen out for the hand claps and foot stampings in the midst of some exciting changing meters!