From Russian with Love

Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Auditorium. Singapore. November 19, 2011. Singapore's Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music is Southeast Asia's leading music school. As with so many other things, Singapore has gone into classical music education is a big way, which has put Singapore on the map as the cultural capital in this region of the world. “From Russia with Love,”, part of the conservatory's faculty recital series, featured members of the school’s faculty from Russia: a soprano, flute, double bass, harp and piano, in combinations that were unusual, for instance, a song scored for soprano, flute and string quartet, or a song for soprano, double bass and piano. The composers were mostly unknown, such as Dutilleux, Bottesini, Zybin and Bishop. It was a quiet evening of chamber music, which included some excitement from the robust voice of soprano Natalia Jumkova, the clear favorite of the large auditorium's full house. While not a "prime event" of the season, it was an enjoyable opportunity to hear unknown music, in unusual combinations, beautifully played.

A beautiful building doesn't make a great institution, but it helps.