A Quick Chat with Daniel Fong
The Mad Scene has came a long way in these past three years, so its easy to forget that one of our objectives is to spotlight promising young singers. With that in mind, we are happy to introduce to you Daniel Fong, a student at the UK’s Royal Academy of Music and also a pupil of Jeong Ae-Ree and pianist Shane Thio. Daniel can be heard in his first solo recital Songs of Travel next Saturday (17 July). The Mad Scene has a quick chat with Daniel on what we can look forward to:
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The Mad Scene: Hi Daniel, firstly tell us, what can we look forward to at your recital?
Daniel: This recital will have an all English Song program, focusing on British Songs from the 20th century. The program comprises of two halves. The first is Vaughan William’s Songs of Travel. This beautiful English song cycle captures the whimsical and light air of English Music and Song, and the piano cleverly paints the English Countryside. The second half comprises of songs by other British composers, mainly Finzi, Head and Quilter, including songs from Finzi’s song cycle Let us garlands bring. The recital is inspired by our (Mr Shane Thio and I) love of British Song and its subtle style, which is rarely performed or heard in Singapore. This is also my first full recital, and I am excited to present myself as a young performer.
The Mad Scene: What is your approach to programming a recital?
Daniel Fong: The approach to programming a recital is actually rather simple. Singers usually use broad themes or images to bind songs together. I have heard recitals where the prevalent theme was about death, flowers or birds. For the second half of my recital, the theme is on Love and Love-lost. Like most European composers of the 20th century, English composers were obsessed in expressing the feeling of falling in and out of Love in their music. Thus, it was easy for Mr Shane Thio and I to gather songs which speak on subject of Love.
The Mad Scene: In your own words, tell us what is so unique about Vaughan William’s Songs of Travel?
Daniel: He creates a world through his music, and as I sing, I can feel that I am traveling in it. Vaughan William has the amazing ability to form images in our minds through his music. The listener can actually distinctly hear the sounds of people, roaring waterfalls, flowing streams and chirping birds in the piano parts. To me this ability to play on our senses makes him the Schubert of English song, and transports us to our imaginary forests and fields. Furthermore, many pieces in the cycle echo each other, thus creating a real sense of continuity and connection from the first to the last song - like a journey. Vaughan William also had a great reverence for the British folk-song tradition, and this is clearly reflected in some of the pieces in the cycle. These pieces sound like folk-tunes, which are pleasant to hear and easy to pick up.
The Mad Scene: Describe your voice to those of us who have never heard it.
Daniel: In all honestly, I have never known how I truly sound. Because a person’s ears cannot fully pick up the whole resonance of one’s own voice, no one can really hear his or her true voice, and requires a third party to pass the judgement. But, I have been told that I have a warm tone. And because I am a rather young baritone, my voice and its ability will keep changing. I guess to answer this question; I will have to say come to the recital to find out!
The Mad Scene: Besides yourself, which young singers would you recommend music lovers in Singapore to look out for?
Daniel Fong: There are many good young singers in Singapore now. As a student of Ms Jeong Ae Ree in Singapore, I have had the opportunity to hear and know many great young singers. The number of concerts organized has also increased. For example, I know that Mr Shane Thio will be performing with my dear friends, Ms Lim Yanting (Soprano) and Mr Brendan Au (Tenor) at the NUS University Cultural Centre Theatre on 17th August this year.
The Mad Scene: Who do you prefer, Callas or Tebaldi?
Daniel Fong: Haha! This question boils down to one’s personal taste. I personally do not have a preference, as I feel that both have their own strengths that people flock to listen . I love how Callas puts so much emotional energy into her voice and character, though I do hear the wear and tear in her instrument. Tebaldi had great vocal technique, and I feel a more beautiful natural voice than Callas. But, I shall not take part in this age-old feud, commenting on who is the greater diva, as both are brilliant to me.
The Mad Scene: Lastly, tell us why we should all come and hear your recital Songs of Travel?
Daniel Fong: I think everyone will enjoy the recital. I am sure that the listener will be able to experience the same emotions and feelings that we have encountered in the music. Vaughan William’s music about traveling is not only beautiful and lush, but will also create in us a sense of awe and wonderment of nature. In the second half, the listener would also be able to share with us the all too familiar feelings of falling in love and losing a love-one. Besides the music, I think that people will find Mr Shane Thio and me to be quite lovable characters, and I hope that they will enjoy the musical partnership that we have created! We hope to make the recital a sharing of human emotions. So, do come for the recital!
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Excited? Here’s the information you need to get tickets:
Ticket Price : S$15
For tickets please call:
98163587
A Limited no. of tickets
Would be sold at the door.