LEONG YOON PIN: Lenggang Kangkong | Singapore Composers - From The Archives #SSOPlayOn

Find out more about Leong Yoon Pin: https://www.sso.org.sg/leong-yoon-pin From the notes, "The NTUC Concert Premiere of Local Melodies" (1993) as seen in video. 'Lenggang Kangkong' ("Swaying like a graceful plant") is an eight-bar Malay folk melody. The Fantasia on Lenggang Kangkong for orchestra, commissioned by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), is structured as a set of variations on this folk theme. It begins with an instriduction played on pizzicato strings, punctuated by brasses and woodwinds, leading on to a timpani solo. The Lenggang theme is first announced by solo clarinet, later picked up by oboe, flute and violins. Variation 2 sees a dialogue in minor key between the winds and the strings, while Variation 3 is characterised by a lively succession of triplets. In Variation 4 the oboe plays a transformed melody in a most expressive manner, with the flute and the clarinet picking it up half-way. A short development section based on the second part of the theme is then initiated by the cellos and leads into Variation 5 in compound duple time, the relative major of which becomes Variation 6 in leggiero mood. The strings then return with the theme, by the end of which the brasses herald in a second development section until everybody joins in a Maestoso section that makes up Variation 7. Finally the theme appears again in Grandioso fashion to bring the whole piece to a happy conclusion. ------------------------------ Leong is one of the small band of pioneers in Singapore striving to create music which reflects the ethos and aspirations of Singaporeans. He studied composition in France under the great teacher, Nadia Boulanger. In his compositions, Leong seeks to combine his natural Chinese idiom with contemporary technique. He has numerous works to his credit - vocal, choral, instrumental and orchestral. He is the first Singaporean composer to have his works performed by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, among them are the overture to 'Dayong Sampan' and symphonic poems 'Temasekian' and 'Episodes in Journey to the West'. His chamber orchestral works performed at the Music Forums include 'Strands', 'Interfusion' and 'Jubilation'. Having served as a member of the faculty of the Institute of Education, Leong has contributed much to music education in Singapore by his work within and outside the Institute. He has written, arranged and edited numerous songs for educational use, which have encirehd the musical curriculum of our schools. He serves in the Choral Advisory Commiittee and the Singapore Youth Orchestra Management Committee under the auspices of the Ministry of Education. Leong is currently Artistic Consultant to the Nanyang Technological University and Artistic Advisor to the 'Substation', a home for the arts. Leong is also the music curriculum advisor of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. ---------------- Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Lim Yau, conductor Recorded live at the Victoria Concert Hall, 12 August 1993. 1:08 Former President of Singapore, Ong Teng Cheong (1936-2002) appears in the video on the podium with SSO's founding Music Director Choo Hoey. President Ong conducted the last piece in the NTUC concert, 'Golden Orchid' by Shen Ping Kwang. Photos courtesy of the Leong family.