Tag: chamber music

When world-class musicians come to town

An evening of great music…Cellist Steven Retallick, violinist Dino Akira Decena and pianist Lee Jae Phang presented two great masterpieces of the  chamber music repertoire in Kuala Lumpur on March 2, 2025.

The hour long concert opened to a packed hall and was met with several rounds of enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Mendelssohn Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 49
I. Molto allegro agitato
II. Andante con moto tranquillo
III. Scherzo. Leggiero e vivace
IV. Finale. Allegro assai appassionato

Ravel Piano Trio in A minor, M. 67
I. Modéré
II. Pantoum: Assez vif
III. Passacaille: Très large
IV. Final: Animé

Among the highlights… a short extract from the final movement of the Ravel during the concert in Kuala Lumpur on March 2, 2025.

By  Foong Pek Yee

foongpekyee@gmail.com

Feb 15, 2025

updated: March 4, 2025

Maurice Ravel’s  piano trio, completed  in 1914,  gained  inspiration from a wide variety of sources;  from Basque dance to Malaysian poetry (pantun in Bahasa Malaysia)

The second movement – “Pantoum” – is a poetic form derived from the pantun.

“Ravel adopted an orchestral approach while composing his trio and created a texture of sound unusually  rich for a chamber music work.

“It is unique in the repertoire for its luxuriance of colour and its  brilliance,”  says Lee Jae.

The concert “Celebrating the 150th anniversary of Ravel’s birth” is to celebrate  the works of Ravel who is one of France’s greatest composers.

Ravel was born on  March 7.

Ravel’s Trio will be paired with Mendelssohn’s D minor piano trio – an audience favourite since its premiere in 1840.

Lee Jae says Robert Schumann  famously declared it as  “The master-trio of the 19th century that will continue to delight future generations”.

Full house : Concert pianist Lee Jae Phang, violinist Dino Akira Decena and cellist  Steven Retallick performing piano trios at the Grand Opening of the First Edition of the European Music Cultures Festival (Nov 1 – 3,  2024)  in Cambodia. 

Steven Retallick is an Australian citizen, born in Amsterdam to a family of musicians.

He moved to London at an early age and was educated at the Purcell School, a specialist music school, before attending the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he completed his cello studies under Professor Stefan Popov.

Throughout his career, Steven Retallick has worked professionally with various orchestras, including the Orquesta Sinfónica de Asturias and Orquesta Ciudad de Granada in Spain, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, the Wichita Symphony in the USA, the Royal Bangkok Symphony in Thailand, Opera Australia and the Adelaide Symphony in Australia, and the Ulster Orchestra, London Symphony, and Philharmonia Orchestra in the UK.

Steven has also guested Principal with the Singapore Symphony, the Auckland Philharmonia in New Zealand, the Sun Symphony Orchestra in Vietnam, and from 1998 to 2021, he was Co-Principal with the Malaysian Philharmonic.

His solo performances include the cello concerto by Gavin Bryars with the Malaysian Philharmonic, “Snapshots,” a commissioned work for cello and orchestra by Adeline Wong, also with the Malaysian Philharmonic, and the Malaysian premiere of Schnittke’s Epilog.

Dino Akira Decena is one of the Philippines’ most accomplished and sought-after violinists, renowned for his exceptional talent as both a soloist and chamber musician.

He has performed with nearly all major orchestras and chamber groups in the country.

Dino has held prominent positions, including associate
concertmaster for The Phantom of the Opera (2012)
and Les Miserables (2016) in Manila, concertmaster
for the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra, and violinist for Miss Saigon in Manila and Taiwan.

He has also performed with various notable groups, such as the Metro Pop Orchestra, the Filharmonika Orchestra, and the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, and in productions like
Star Wars: A New Hope and Do You Hear the People Sing?

Dino continues to contribute to the arts as a violin teacher at St. Paul University, Sta. Isabel College of Manila, St. Scholastica’s College of Manila, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth, and he teaches violin to children of pastors at the Maranatha Christian Academy.

Lee Jae Phang is a Malaysian concert pianist, teacher, accompanist, and chamber musician.

He has performed in the UK, Germany, Austria, Italy, Beijing, Hong Kong, Cambodia, and Malaysia, during which he also worked with conductors such as Christopher Adey, Mark Heron, Davide Levi, Nick Meredith, Frank Lennon, Dr. Martin Cook, and Mihnea Ignat.

During his studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, his piano trio Trio Lazuli performed around the UK and they had masterclasses with Kathryn Stott (duo partner of Yo-Yo Ma), Frans Helmerson, Gábor Takács-Nagy, Jeremy Young, Wu Qian, and Sasha Sitkovetsky.

Lee Jae himself also had piano masterclasses with Stephen Hough CBE, The Juilliard School faculty members Jerome Lowenthal and Matti Raekallio, French pianists Philippe Cassard, Michel Béroff, and Bernard d’Ascoli, British pianists Christopher Elton, Vanessa Latarche, Ronan O’Hora, and other renowned pianists such as Nelson Goerner, Vovka Ashkenazy, and Daniel Shapiro.

In addition to receiving many awards, scholarships, funds, and winning many other competitions, Lee Jae won the ‘1st Beethoven Performance Award of the BPSE & Beethoven in Altaussee Festival 2016’ prize in Austria.

Given his deep love and fascination for Beethoven’s music, Lee Jae has recorded almost all of Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas and published them on his YouTube channel – these sonatas being ranked amongst the highest Himalayan peaks of a pianist’s repertoire.

Great musical partners:  (from left) Dino Akira Decena, Lee Jae Phang and Steven Retallick at the Grand Opening of the First Edition of the European Music Cultures Festival (Nov 1 – 3,  2024)  in Cambodia. 

Photos : Courtesy of Lee Jae Phang

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”.