Pianist Azariah Tan will be performing a solo recital on Friday, 20 August 2021, and with violinist Shuxiang Yang on Saturday, 21 August 2021, at the Esplanade Recital Studio as part of “Die dunkelrosa Rose”, presented by Kris Foundation.
How did you meet Shuxiang and is this your first time working together?
We met through Kris Foundation! Thank you for bringing us together! Yes it is the first time, and we had a great time rehearsing! Shuxiang is a wonderfully musical artist, who is a joy to work with!
Does the programme represent your personality? Tell us about the curation.
Absolutely. Chopin is a composer close to my heart, and I love his poetic expressions. I fell in love with his music since I was a young boy! The emotions visited in his third sonata range from sublime to nostalgic, ending in furious heroism.
In the second half of the program, I will performing Schubert’s Sonata in A Major D.959, composed some 16 years earlier than Chopin’s. I discovered Schubert much later, and while his music took some getting used to at first, I have grown to appreciate the deep sense of humanity beneath the music’s simple facade. This sonata is has such a wide range of storytelling, such as in the second movement, which for me is a dirge in which the left hand figuration is like a clock ticking away, counting down the remaining moments of his life. In fact, this sonata was finished barely months before Schubert’s death. Schubert determines to sing his heart out in the final movement.
I thought about putting these two works together to make a balanced program of two monumental piano sonatas. They are both late works in their composers’ oeuvre, contain four movements each, and take the listeners through a gamut of emotions. They both play on the motif of a minor second, exploring various moods. I just love these sonatas!
What is the most memorable moment of your career so far?
I don’t have any in particular, although if I had to name one I would say it was performing Rhapsody in Blue for the first time with SSO! Just the pure excitement and nervousness back then really made the whole experience almost unreal. Now, I treasure each moment playing for a live audience.
Has your life changed since COVID-19?
Staying home most of the time! It has allowed me to do more self-reflection and practice, which is good! Of course it was sad to have some concerts cancelled, but I focus on what I can do now, and for others.
Are you involved in any interesting projects this year?
I am really excited to perform this program as well as collaborate with Shuxiang for his recital! As a board member of Very Special Arts Singapore, I am excited to be involved in the planning for a new Bukit Merah center for performing arts!