Full Synopsis:

The “Symphonic Overture” for band is written in celebration of the opening of the NOMAD Festival 2008. The composer has collaborated with the Ang Mo Kio Symphonic Band earlier in the year, and have created this work as a homage to the technical proficiency of the student musicians.

A mysterious beginning leads full flight into a tumulteous flurry of notes in the woodwinds, and modulates from key to key, before plunging into the actual first section of the work. Here, a heroic theme marches through rhythmic punctuation before reaching a more sombre lyrical passage, and then returns once more.

After a transition that relies on the transient nature of the bells, the sombre theme is now set in major mode as portrayed by a lone piccolo. The other musicians join in and sing a song of hope and love together, but is interrupted by uncertainty of the future. What does the future hold for us? The lyrical passage now returns in its most tragic form yet, in the solo clarinet, with an oboist sobbing in the background. A dramatic rise of tension finally leads into a punctuated passage reminiscent of the first section.

The first section returns once more, but is heavily altered, in terms of accompaniment, character and atmosphere. What was arrogance before has given way to humility. Hesitation becomes confidence to fight for one’s ideals. With that, the introductory passage returns, and closes the work in a celebratory gesture.

The Symphonic Overture describes from a simplistic viewpoint what Singapore has faced since the events of 1964. It is ridden with drama and tension, but at the same time, clear melodies and musical direction to be savoured. It is the wish of the composer to convey his message through a mainstream harmonic and thematic language that can be enjoyed by everyone in the audience, as well as the musicians performing it.