Author: Foong Pek Yee

It is about bringing out the character

Let the music speaks: Concert pianist Lee Jae Phang at Yamaha Music Centre in Kelana Jaya on July 9, 2024.
By Foong Pek Yee
July 12, 2024
While each and every piece of music is unique and captivating , skills  are needed to bring out their character.
This applies to music at any level.
Thus, a grade one piece may appear easy,  but it is no less captivating  compared to pieces from higher grades.
To bring out the character of a piece of music requires, among others,  a combination of one’s acquired skills,  professional guidance, hard work and deliberate practice.
“It is about the communication, interpretation and delivery of each piece; the technical challenges,”  says concert pianist and music teacher Lee Jae Phang at an event in Yamaha Music Centre , Kelana Jaya, Selangor on July 9, 2024.
The event, jointly organized by Yamaha Music Centre and Harmony Music Centre, Damansara Utama,  focused on ABRSM pieces Grade One to Eight 2025 and 2026 pieces.
Lee Jae plays  pieces from each grade before highlighting  their character,  technical challenges, how to tackle them and bringing a level of deep connection between the audience and the piece.
Bringing musical excellence around the world : Yamaha Music Malaysia managing director Jin Katagiri speaking at the opening of  the event in Yamaha Music Centre in Kelana Jaya on July 9, 2024.
A passion for music:  John (left) who owns Harmony Music Centre  at the event in Yamaha Music Centre in Kelana Jaya on July 9, 2024, was seen sharing some thoughts with his friend.
Concert Pianist Lee Jae Phang.
Lee Jae is a Malaysian and he won the Audience Prize and the 1st Beethoven Performance Award in the Beethoven Piano Festival in Altaussee, Austria in 2016.
Getting  his first diploma in piano at the age of 11, he  went to the United Kingdom (UK) to continue his education not long after.
Lee Jae has Masters of Music in Performance (MMus) with Distinction from the Royal Northern College of  Music, Manchester, UK and a Fellow of the Royal School of Music (FRSM) with Distinction.

On the right note and enlightening

Internationally renowned Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra leads the way.
June 25, 2024
By Foong Pek Yee
FOR many, it is a walk down memory lane.
And for  music lovers, it is a performance by a world class orchestra not to be missed.
The good news is this  August will see the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO), established in 1977,   performing in Malaysia for the first time –  Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra Debut Malaysia Tour 2024.
To date, the orchestra has been invited to perform at famous venues and festivals all over the world, including Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and the Arctic Circle.
The upcoming performance in Malaysia, organized by Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), will be held at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, Kuala Lumpur on August 3 and 4,  and at the Dewan Tan Sri Loh  Boon Siew in Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology  (TAR UMT) in Penang on August 7.
Under the guidance of HKCO resident conductor Chew Hee Chiat, the  performance comprises two series.
Dynamism: Chew Hee Chiat who joined Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra in 2002, has a Master of Music in orchestra conducting from the University of South Carolina. He also holds a double Bachelors degree in cello performance and computer science from the Southeast Missouri State University.  He is  now HKCO’s  assistant artistic director and resident conductor (photo: hkco.org).
Chew says  the “Classic Series” on the August 3 performance at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in Kuala Lumpur  is from HKCO’s  reserved repertoire of Chinese classic  music and also works by Hong Kong composers.
The program (based on hkco.org) :
The Chorale of Spring Ng King-pan.
Essence (The sixth movement from Ji) Ng Cheuk-yin
Jing‧Qi‧Shen Chan Ming-chi , Sanxian, Narrative Singing and Orchestra
Song of the Black Earth  Sui Lijun. Lyrics by Shang Cunbao
Sanxian: Zhao Taisheng
Kampung and the City Chow Jun Yi (Chinese music without bounds international composition competition original composition- Best Orchestra Work)
Follow the Pagoda Tree to Trace the Roots of Our Ancestors  Zhao Jiping
The Yellow River Capriccio Cheng Dazhao
And the “Movie and Television Series”  includes some popular theme songs from Hong Kong will be held at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, Kuala Lumpur on Aug 4.
The program (based on hkco.org) :

 

Theme from Laputa Joe Hisaishi Arr. by Chew Hee Chiat

Malaysia Pop Songs
Getaran Jiwa P. Ramlee  Arr. by Kong Su-leong

Dikir Puteri   Pak Ngah Arr. by Chew Hee Chiat

Sinaran       Azlan Abu Hasan      Arr. by Tan Kah Yong

Impossible Medley    Arr. by Ng King-pan

Vocal and orchestra Light of Life lyrics by Kwok-Kong Cheng, Chelsia Cheng  Arr by Chan Ka-wing.

Sam’s Songs in the Movies    Sam Hui    Arr. by Ng Cheuk-yin

Love of the Past   Joseph Koo  (Gu Jia Hui)    Arr. by Tan Kah Yong

Time We Have Gone Through Together    Wu Wai-lap     Arr. by Ng Cheuk-yin

A Medley of Themes from Television Drama Series   Joseph Koo (Gu Jia Hui).

The program (based on hkco.org)  for the performance at  the Dewan Tan Sri Loh Boon Siew, TAR UMT in Penang on August 7:
Theme from Laputa　Joe Hisaishi　Arr. by Chew Hee Chiat
Malaysia Pop Songs
Getaran Jiwa　P. Ramlee　Arr. by Kong Su-leong
 Dikir Puteri   Pak Ngah  Arr. by Chew Hee Chiat
Sing Sing Sing  Louis Prima   Arr. by Ng King-pan
A Medley of Themes from Television Drama Series　Joseph Koo (Gu Jia Hui)
Follow the Pagoda Tree to Trace the Roots of Our Ancestors　Zhao Jiping
The Yellow River Capriccio　Cheng Dazhao
Celebrating Milestones:  Music is the bridge. UTAR  president Datuk Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat during a press conference on HKCO  (photo: utar.edu.my).
Updating details of the event at a  press conference on June 6 , Dr Ewe  highlighted its significance as” an event in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and the People’s Republic of China”.
“It is more than promoting the appreciation of Chinese orchestra music.
 ” It is  a platform for cultural  exchange, appreciation  and networking .”
Works from famous  Malaysian composers; Chow Jun Yi’s Kampung and the City , Azlan Abu Hasan (Sinaran) and P Ramlee (Getaran Jiwa) will also be featured at the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra – Debut Malaysia Tour 2024,
Double celebration: Puan Sri Chelsia Cheng (third from right)  and  Dr Ewe (third from left) at the press conference on the HKCO ‘s upcoming performance in Malaysia in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Malaysia China diplomatic relations. 
And it was also 50 years ago  (1974) when she  as Chan Chau Ha then went into showbiz (photo:  utar.edu.my)
 Puan Sri Chelsia  -an  award winning actress, singer and songwriter – will be special guest performer on August 4.
Winner of the Golden Horse Award for Best Actress in 1976 , Puan Sri Chelsia  remains a household name and influential figure with her charm and charisma.
Joining force to bring in Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra -Debut Malaysia Tour 2024 are the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, the Professional Cultural Center Orchestra, Pertubuhan Hui Yin Seh Ayer Itam and media partners- Sin Chew Daily, Guang Ming Daily, Mango Media and Star Media Group.
For further enquiries on the event, contact Ms Hee (016-3312561) Mr Lim (016-4150325)

More and more young South Koreans opt to remain single.

Coping with modernity:  Younger generation of South Koreans are at the crossroads. (photo taken in Myeongdong on Feb 3, 2024).
May 2, 2024
By Foong Pek Yee
The streets in Songpadong in Seoul are quiet on a winter evening.
We enter a cafe packed with young people, much to our relief  we spotted an empty table for two.
Chloe , 31,  says the cafe is her favourite,  and that its roof top section commands a panoramic view of the city skyline.
That was in February this year.
It is a matter of  choice : The lifestyle of many young South Koreans today is very different from that of their parents. (photo taken in Songpadong on Feb 8, 2024) 
That evening at the cafe came to my mind recently – prompted by screaming headlines: the number of single – person households in South Korea have exceeded the 10 million mark for the first time in history!
Two million out of the 10 million single-person households are in Seoul, and Chloe is  one of them.
This is because she is single and staying on her own.
Her parents who stay together  come under the two-person household category.
According to official statistics,  the 10.02 million single – person households is  a whopping 41.8% of the 24 million households in South Korea.
The rest include  5.9 million two – person households and 3.1 million four person households.
The country’s population is 51 million.
The Korean Herald on March 17, 2024,  reported that only 50%  of South Korea’s adult population are keen to get married, quoting  findings by the presidential committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy .
For instance, Chloe loves music and travelling while her mother was already married in her mid 20s.
Many young South Koreans today have the means to live life on their own terms, and  marriage and starting a family before one turns 30 is increasingly rare.
With extended family no longer common in South Korea today, many elderly also fall into the single-person household category  when their spouse passed away.
And South Korea is set to be a super ageing society next year (2025 ); meaning those aged above 65 comprise more than 10 million and the figure is over 20% of the country’s 51 million population , reports The Korean Herald on April 23, 2024.
As time goes by: Many traders in traditional markets in Seoul are middle age or elderly people. (photo taken in Namdaemun on Feb 6, 2024)
Keeping a tradition :  Traditional Korean cakes are still a must during festive season like Seollal ( Lunar New Year) and for  ancestral prayers in South Korea.(Photo taken in Namdaemun on Feb 6, 2024)
Economic considerations, increasing life challenges and uncertainties  and choice of lifestyle are among factors that influenced South Koreans’ thinking on marriage and family.

Different journey, same destination

Significance: Trio Mastro’s recital titled Visions in Petaling Jaya on April 7, 2024 highlights the musical journey of renowned composers -Joseph Haydn, Antonin Dvorak and Vasyl Barvinsky.

By Foong Pek  Yee.

foongpekyee@gmail.com

April 12, 2024

Joseph Haydn ( 1732-1809)  was a court musician for the very wealthy and influential Esterhazy family near Vienna.
It was certainly more than a prestigious job for the Austrian composer whose talent and potential was recognized and admired by the head of the Esterhazy family, Prince Nikolaus.
 Thus, the gifted Haydn,  who was under the employment of the Esterhazy for 30 years,  found himself a conducive environment to develop and excel in his music.
His works like the piano trios, string quartets and symphonies set the stage for later development of the genre by renowned composers including Beethoven.
 Meanwhile Antonin Dvorak’s composition “Dumky” trio is an unusual format of five interconnected movements, and the Czech composer  (1841-1904) is also known as the  master of melody.
Unlike Haydn and Dvorak who were  from humble background and had to fend for themselves in the early part of their career, Ukrainian composer Vasyl Barvinsky (1888- 1963) was from an older aristocratic family.
Barvinsky’s father was a public figure,  while his  mother who was a pianist and singer was his first music teacher.
He drew heavily in Ukranian folk influence for his piano trio.
.
Choice compositions:  The works of Haydn, Dvorak and Barvinsky played by Trio Mastro at their recital titled Visions in Yin Qi  Music,  Petaling Jaya, on April 7, 2024.
In harmony:  Trio Mastro and their audience on April 7, 2024.
In  Petaling Jaya, Malaysia on April 7, 2024,  Trio Mastro showcased the works of Haydn, Dvorak and Barvinsky in a recital titled Visions: Works by Haydn, Dvorak and Barvinsky.
“The recital showcases music by visionary composers,” says Lee Jae Phang, Trio Mastro’ s pianist.
The other two members of Trio Mastro are cellist Lyubomira Stankova and violinist cum composer Hank Su Ren Han.
Lee Jae is Malaysian, Lyu a Bulgarian and Hank a Taiwanese.
The three award-winning musicians  have chalked up many years honing their skills and performing abroad.
They first met in Kuala Lumpur end of 2022, formed Trio Mastro not long after and currently based in Malaysia.
Lee Jae says Trio Mastro will continue to have recitals at different venues in the Klang Valley to share their music as far as possible.

The power of music

Beethoven and the Cello: Lee Jae Phang (left) and Lyubomira Stankova in Kuala Lumpur on March 3, 2024

By Foong Pek Yee

March 14, 2024
THE recital – Beethoven and the Cello : An epic musical journey – by concert pianist Lee Jae Phang and cellist Lyubomira Stankova is certainly more than beautiful music.
It saw Lee Jae and Lyu setting a new record in classical music for Malaysia!
“Complete cycles of Beethoven’s works are occasionally performed in Europe and the United States, but seldom presented in Asia.
“Our research shows that our project to perform all the cello and piano works(five sonatas AND three variations) has never been done in Malaysia,” says Lee Jae of their  two-day recital on March 2 and 3 in Kuala Lumpur.
At Singapore’s Victoria Concert Hall last August, Lee Jae says Altenburg Arts presented cellist Yibai Chen and pianist Boyang Shi performing the complete works over two recitals as well.
Beethoven and the Cello – In Kuala Lumpur on March 2, 2024
Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 5, No. 2 (25 mins)
Sonata No. 4 in C major, Op. 102, No. 1 (17 mins)
Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69 (27 mins)
Beethoven and the Cello – In Kuala Lumpur on March 3, 2024
12 Variations on “See the conquering hero comes”, WoO 45 (13 mins)
Sonata No. 1 in F major, Op. 5, No. 1 (25 mins)
12 Variations on “Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen”, Op. 66 (10 mins)
7 Variations on “Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen”, WoO 46 (10 mins)
Sonata No. 5 in D major, Op. 102, No. 2 (16 mins)
No ordinary recital: Lee Jae and Lyu performing in Kuala Lumpur on March 2, 2024.
Lee Jae points out that to play a complete cycle of any genre of Beethoven’s works (the piano sonatas or the string quartets for example) requires a performer to be simultaneously  a master of their instrument and also a mature musician.
Beethoven seldom repeats himself musically, preferring instead to continuously push the boundaries of musical expression and possibility; each of the five cello sonatas are therefore individual creations with distinct musical characteristics.
This means that a performer who performs the entire cycle has to effectively and convincingly switch between musical characters on stage.
A performer who is less skilled and experienced will be less successful at communicating vividly the different characters and shades of meaning found within each of the pieces.
Lee Jae  and Lyu also conducted masterclasses on March 3.
Young and talented : Lee Jae (far left) and Lyu (far right) with their students at the masterclasses on March 3, 2024.
Each of the four students performed their choice of works by Beethoven.
Lee Jae and Lyu gave them musical and technical feedback to help them improve in their playing.
A special element of the masterclasses was the opportunities that the students were given to play either with Lyu or with Lee Jae.
Important insights: Lyu with a student at the masterclasses.
Talented and confident : Lee Jae with a student at the masterclasses.
Apart from playing a movement from a piano sonata of their choice, the students also chose a section of a piano and cello work to play with Lyu.
This allows them to experience and learn the art of playing chamber music.
The cello students had the opportunity to play a cello and piano work, accompanied by Lee Jae.

Beethoven is more than the piano

Concert pianist Lee Jae Phang(right) and professional cellist Lyubomira Stankova.

MENTION Beethoven (Ludwig Van Beethoven), the piano comes to one’s mind.

In the classical music world, Beethoven (1770-1827) who ranked among the world’s greatest composers, had also written several works for the cello and piano as a duo combination.

In his hands, the cello gained independence and assumed a more soloistic role in an ensemble context.

A piano and cello recital on March 2 and March 3, 2024 by  concert pianist Lee Jae Phang and professional cellist Lyubomira Stankova is set to be a very enlightening experience.

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The kids and their tutor

INTERACTION  is a way of learning and progressing together, and that transcends age for these children and their tutor.

By Foong Pek Yee

foongpekyee@gmail.com

From journalism and back to school.
After more than three decades working in the English media, Sharifah Fatimah quit her job and took the plunge into giving free tuition to village kids.
” I could see that the kids didn’t understand simple English I used to speak to them,”
“A good foundation in the language goes a long way, and I want to help them,” recalls Sharifah on her encounter with her neighbours’  kids that prompted  her to give them tuition.
Happy kids:  Learning can be fun too.
It was Hari Raya in  Kampung Paya Luas, Segamat, Johor in 2019, shortly after  Sharifah and her husband Din moved from Petaling Jaya to live in the village.
Sharifah quit her job in Star Media Group in Petaling Jaya  in January 2019 after working there for 24 years.
In Kampung  Paya Luas, her first pupils are two girls whose mother is a single mother.
Their four cousin sisters also joined in.
Two months later she started to teach them Mathematics and Science too.
“They  told me they were weak in both subjects,” says Sharifah, adding that she also guides them on other subjects whenever they asked for help.
And it is back to school for Sharifah-  get reference books and re learn the subjects according to the syllabus in order to guide the kids.
Sharifah and Din, both 60,   have three daughters who are in their 20s now -Shahirah and Shahidah have graduated from Universiti  Malaya and Universiti Sains Malaysia respectively while  Shafiqah is studying in UiTM, Shah Alam.
Sharifah who has a diploma in Public Administration from ITM (Institut Teknologi Mara, Sabah in 1984 was with  New Straits Times (1985 -1995)  and Star Media Group (1995 – 2019 January)
Growing up, studying, working and staying in Petaling Jaya all the while,  she says she can see the disparity in facilities between cities and villages.
“There is only one tution centre outside our village, and it can also be costly to send the kids there,” she adds.
When the Covid 19 pandemic and movement control order (MCO) came into force in March 2020, Sharifah says she discovered lots of teaching videos by professional school teachers.
“They are very helpful in teaching me how to teach the kids,” she adds.
On overcoming challenges in learning English in a village setting, Sharifah says exposure to more English materials helps, but villagers generally could not afford books.
About six months ago Sharifah reached out to another four kids who stay a bit far from her village.
They are in Year 2, 3, 6 and Form 1.
She teaches them on Fridays and Saturdays.
“They are cared for by their grandfather who is a school gardener and their  grandmother  is illiterate.
“I fetch them from their house and send them home or else they couldn’t come for the tuition,” says Sharifah, adding that she enjoys teaching the kids and watching them improve in their studies.
And she is proud that the kids call her nenek (grandma in Bahasa Malaysia).
Sharifah says she and Din enjoy  interacting with the kids who brighten up  their home.

古典音乐的另一个里程碑

从左到右: 苏仁瀚 (Hank Su Ren Han)、 彭黎杰 (Lee Jae Phang)、柳眉若 (Lyubomira Stankova)
马斯特罗三重奏已准备好以最高水平呈现室内乐。
Foong Pek Yee 冯碧仪
2023年12月15日
译者：黎镇荣 Lai Jen Weng

他们的音乐之旅非常不同。

出生于保加利亚的大提琴家柳眉若 (Lyubomira Stankova) 毕业后不久就移居亚洲，并定居于马来西亚。

马来西亚音乐会钢琴家彭黎杰（Lee Jae Phang）在英国度过了学习和演奏音乐的重要年代，新冠疫情爆发前不久返回大马。

出生于台湾的小提琴家指挥家苏仁瀚 (Hank Su Ren Han) 现居马来西亚。

但命运让他们在马来西亚相遇，并即刻在室内乐演奏中找到了共鸣。

那是2022年12月，在双威大学，他们受邀担任肖邦协会马来西亚国际音乐比赛的评委。

柳眉若说，室内乐——她的专长之一——在她心中一直有着特殊的位置。

柳眉若 (Lyubomira Stankova)

她说，找到同样受到启发，致力于精心准备一定水平节目的同事是一个挑战。转折点在于她遇到了彭黎杰和苏仁瀚。

苏仁瀚以及彭黎杰

在发现彭黎杰专攻贝多芬作品后，她说他们起初组成了钢琴和大提琴二重奏。

不久后他们联系了苏仁瀚，第一次见面进行视奏后，组成一个三重奏团体，取名为“就马斯特罗三重奏”。

协同效应：2023年12月12日，在哥打白沙罗的 Lyu Music Academy 的圣诞音乐会上，苏仁瀚、彭黎杰和柳眉若表演。
他们表演了：
  • Beethoven Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 1, No. 3, First Movement
    Allegro con brio
  • Haydn Piano Trio in C Major, Hob. XVI/27, First Movement
    Allegro
  • Dvořák Piano Trio in E minor “Dumky”, Op. 90
    Lento maestoso – Allegro quasi doppio movimento – Lento maestoso – Allegro
  • Raff Cavatina
  • Arnold Heart Throbs
  • Brahms Hungarian Dance No. 6
彭黎杰说，“mastro” 在意大利语中意味着大师。它也是教师或大师工匠的职业名称。

“我们选择这个名字来反映我们作为音乐会表演者和教师的专业地位，以及我们对教育的奉献。”

彭黎杰还指出，在音乐之旅中拥有清晰的目标的重要性，并且强调实现这一目标的过程始终需要坚持和谦逊。
他说，这同样适用于生活的其他方面，强调学习音乐在塑造品格中的作用。
柳眉若说，他们每个人都带来了不同的经历和强烈的个性；这是一次美妙的合作和对古典音乐的共同信念的分享。
创始人们的共同目标是以尽可能高的水平呈现室内乐。
柳眉若说：“作为音乐家，我们的责任和乐趣在于与志同道合的艺术家合作，向观众呈现伟大作曲家的深刻作品。

“室内乐独特地融合了团队协作和个人独奏表达的基本技能，创造出舞台上的神奇动态。”

柳眉若指出，他们负有培养对古典音乐的欣赏方面的使命，希望通过室内乐培养年轻一代的团队合作技能，得以长远实现。

年轻才华：柳眉若和她的学生在圣诞音乐会上的表演。

尾声：圣诞音乐会在高潮中落幕。

舞台上的精彩表演远不止肉眼所见。

彭黎杰将表演者的工作比作受到启发的信使，他说：

“我们阅读作曲家的音符和符号，解密、理解并诠释它们，然后利用我们对乐器的技能，向观众传达音乐的本质。

“一场高水平的表演能够感动、激励并吸引观众，观众也是表演本身的参与者。”

虽然这个三重奏（苏仁瀚、 彭黎杰、柳眉若）走过不同的音乐之旅，接受过不同路径的训练，并曾在世界各地演出，但彭黎杰说努力、毅力、耐心和奉献是他们的共同特质。

柳眉若说，无论追求何种目标，身处何地，持之以恒的努力、坚定不移的梦想和拒绝放弃是至关重要的。

她认为，成功取决于坚持、热爱，以及对实现梦想之路的清晰愿景。

苏仁瀚在台湾和东京接受多位著名小提琴教师的训练，曾在世界各地广泛演出。

他培养出许多获得国外留学奖学金的学生，或在国际考试和国际音乐比赛中表现出色，因而被认为是一位具有独特教学能力的教师。

他说，拉小提琴不仅是他的爱，也是他的生活。

苏仁瀚提到，培养有才华和世界知名的艺术家，以及举办国际比赛，对一个国家的形象大有裨益，他举新加坡为例，说这个城市国家从10到15年前开始支持古典音乐，已取得了显著进展。

正如俗话所说：“让演奏来说话。”

Another milestone in classical music.

Trio Mastro (from left, Hank Su Ren Han, Lee Jae Phang and Lyubomira Stankova) is all set to present chamber music at the highest possible level.
by Foong Pek Yee
Dec15, 2023.
THEY have very different musical journeys.
Bulgarian-born cellist Lyubomira Stankova moved to Asia shortly after graduating  and stays in Malaysia now.
Malaysian concert pianist Lee Jae Phang who spent his formative years studying and performing music in the United Kingdom returned shortly before the start of the Covid 19 pandemic.
Taiwanese-born violinist and conductor Hank Su Ren Han is based in Malaysia.
And  fate would have it the three accomplished musicians  met in Malaysia and found synergy – playing chamber music
That was in  December 2022 at Sunway University In Petaling Jaya where they were engaged to adjudicate the Persatuan Chopin’s International Music Competition Malaysia.
Lyu says chamber music – one of her specialties – always has a special place in her heart.
Lyu
But finding equally inspired colleagues committed to the meticulous preparation of programs  can be challenging, she says, adding that the turning  point took place when she met  Lee Jae and Hank who are chamber music enthusiasts.
Hank and Lee Jae
Discovering Lee Jae’s specialization in Beethoven works, she says they  formed a  piano- cello duo.
Shortly after they reached out to Hank, and their first meeting to do some sight reading saw them forming a trio which they named  Trio Mastro.
Synergy: Hank, Lee Jae and Lyu performing at the Christmas Concert in Lyu Music Academy in Kota Damansara on Dec 12, 2023.
 They performed:

Beethoven Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 1, No. 3, First Movement
Allegro con brio

Haydn Piano Trio in C Major, Hob. XVI/27, First Movement
Allegro

Dvořák Piano Trio in E minor “Dumky”, Op. 90
Lento maestoso – Allegro quasi doppio movimento – Lento maestoso – Allegro

Raff Cavatina

Arnold Heart Throbs

Brahms Hungarian Dance No. 6

Lee Jae says the word mastro means master in Italian. It is also an occupation name for a teacher or for a master craftsman.
“We chose this name to reflect our professional standing as a concert performer and teacher, and also to reflect our dedication to education.”
Lee Jae also notes the importance of having a clear purpose in one’s musical journey , and that the process towards achieving it calls for perseverance and humility at all times.
And the same applies to other  aspects of  life, he says, underscoring  the role of learning music in character building.
Lyu says each of them brings diverse experiences and strong personalities;  making it a wonderful collaboration and sharing of a common belief in classical music.
And the founders’ common goal is to present chamber music at the highest possible level.
Says Lyu: ” As musicians, our responsibility and joy lie in collaborating with like-minded artists to present the audience with the profound works of great composers.
“Chamber music uniquely blends the essential skills of group collaboration and individual soloist expression, creating a magical dynamic on stage.”
Lyu notes that their mission in fostering an appreciation for classical music will go a long way instilling teamwork skills in the younger generation through chamber music.
Young talent: Lyu and her students performing at the Christmas concert.
 Finale : The Christmas concert ended on a high note.
A great performance on stage is certainly more than meets the eye.
Lee Jae who likens the job of a performer to that of an inspired messenger says:
“We read the notes and symbols by the composers, decipher, understand and interpret them,  and use our skills with our instruments to communicate the essence of the music to our audience.
“A high level performance is one that moves, inspires and engages the audience who are partakers in the performance itself.”
While the trio had different musical journeys, training that followed different paths and having performed around the world, Lee Jae says hard work, perseverance, patience and dedication are their common traits.
Regardless of pursuits and location, Lyu says persistent hard work, unwavering dreams and refusal to give up are essential.
To her, she says success hinges on persistence, love and having a clear vision for the path towards realizing one’s dreams .
Hank, trained in Taiwan and in Tokyo under several renowned violin teachers, had performed extensively around the world.
Many of his students who have won scholarships to study abroad, excelled in international examinations and international music competitions have gained Hank the recognition of a teacher with unique teaching abilities.
He describes playing violin as not only his love but also his life.
Nurturing talented and world renowned artists and hosting international competitions augurs well for a nation’s image, Hank says, citing  Singapore  which started supporting classical music  10 to 15 years ago has made headway.
As the saying goes,  “Let the playing do the talking”.