Whether you’re new to symphonic compositions or already a fan, this classical music concert in Singapore is not one to miss! The debut event features a top European strings ensemble and award-winning cellist Kian Soltani at the Esplanade Concert Hall on 11 March. We’ve asked the Esplanade team and Soltani about what you should know before you go!
Kian Soltani
When did you start playing the cello?
When I was four. I have a cousin who’s three years older than me and he was already playing cello. I always looked up to him and so I wanted to be like him; his playing inspired me to pick up the cello too. My parents are both musicians and I was growing up with music all around me for as long as I can remember so picking up an instrument seemed like the most normal and natural thing to do!
What are some of your favourite moments in the upcoming classical music program?
The highlight will certainly be Haydn’s famous cello Concerto. It’s a piece that has accompanied me since I was a teenager and which I’ve performed countless times. But it always seems exciting and resonates with audiences so much. Each movement has a very distinct character and it’s a wonderful challenge to bring out these different sides of the piece. The first movement is a majestic and royal opening. The second movement is a beautiful and sometimes heartbreaking lyrical aria. And the third movement feels like someone has opened a bottle of champagne. Sparkling, fast, wonderful and highly virtuosic!
Tell us about the experience of collaborating with the Amsterdam Sinfonietta and Candida Thompson.
I have played with this wonderful strings ensemble already quite a few times and it’s always a great pleasure. The musicians are so collaborative and so open to creating something new and special. And the concertmaster Candida Thompson is a wonderful collaborator and just knows exactly how to lead Orchestra for them to reach their highest potential.
For our readers that may not be familiar with the program, what would you tell them to expect from this classical music concert in Singapore?
It’s an evening with lots of variety in program, but which shows the best and most popular sides of classical music with one of the most famous cello concertos of all time in a selection of wonderful songs. So it goes from exciting and fast to beautiful and slow and everything in between.
What are your hopes for your visit to Singapore and year ahead?
This will be my first time in Singapore. I’ve never been there and I’m very excited to finally see this wonderful place. I hope I get to see some nice things and do some sightseeing.
And I hope I can reach lots of people with my music and bring joy to audiences all around the world !
More about the classical music concert in Singapore
Kian Soltani has been hailed by The Times as a “remarkable cellist” and described by Gramophone as “sheer perfection.” His playing is characterised by a depth of expression, individuality and technical mastery. In addition, he has a charismatic stage presence and ability to connect with his audience.
Kian has many accolades as well. He’s the winner of the prestigious International Paulo Cello Competition and recipient of the Credit Suisse Young Artist Award at the Lucerne Festival in 2017. You can also see him featured in violin comedy duo TwoSet Violin’s videos as well as on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert series.
The show’s Artistic Director Candida Thompson is renowned for her exceptional musical communication and honest musicianship. Her curiosity and research led her to pioneering programmes and collaborations that cross boundaries of culture, time and genre.
Under Thompson’s leadership, the Amsterdam Sinfonietta tours globally and has become the premier string orchestra in the Netherlands. They also initiate surprising collaborations and create programmes involving other art forms. For example film, dance and theatre – a testament to the innovative vision of the string ensemble.
Highlights of the programme
# Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major is one of the most popular and widely performed concertos for cellists. This is likely due to its virtuosic writing, tuneful melodies and youthful character. Demanding technical precision, it challenges the soloist to maintain a clean upper register. This is coupled with multiple fast passages that explore the full range of the instrument.
# Sonata for Strings by William Walton, an Academy Award-nominated composer for films. This work was derived from one of his earlier string quartets that premiered on BBC and features energetic rhythms and an exhilarating finale.
# Mendelssohn’s Suleika, which is about a woman, Suleika, anxiously waiting to hear from her love during their separation, pleading with the west wind to convey to him that he is the love of her life.
# Schubert’s An die Musik is a deeply contemplative prayer of thanksgiving for music, expressing how this sacred art rekindles warmth in the poet’s heart and carries him off to a better world. The music is deceptively simple, but this simplicity makes the work one of the most challenging to perform.
# Schubert’s Du bist die Ruh follows a similar vein as An die Musik. It’s also a prayer and love song about longing for emotional security and a committed relationship.
Classics Series
This will be Kian Soltani and Amsterdam Sinfonietta’s Singapore debut and the programme is presented as part of Esplanade’s Classics series. This is where Esplanade curates the best of Western classical music performed by the world’s best orchestras and musicians.
The Classics series has featured reputable orchestras like Berliner Philharmoniker, Staatskapelle Dresden, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam, and talented soloists such as Joyce Didonato and Sunwook Kim, to name a few.
How can we book a ticket for this concert at the Esplanade?
This performance is on Tuesday 11 March 2025 from 7.30pm at the Esplanade Concert Hall. The show goes for 1 hour and 40 minutes with a 20-minute intermission.
Tickets are from $40, with Esplanade&Me Specials and limited concessions available.
Get your tickets to the classical music concert in Singapore at esplanade.com/classics.
Enjoyed reading about this cellist and strings ensemble? Find more interesting events and interviews in our Things to Do section.
