Prodigious: TFI Interviews the Four Soloists for Vivaldi’s ‘The Four Seasons | The Flying Inkpot

Fresh from the Singapore Chamber Music Festival jointly organised with Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, re:Sound Collective presents an evening of two delightful works for piano quintet and chamber orchestra: Schumann’s Trout Quintet and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.

The latter will feature four young soloists who are fast making their mark on Singapore’s classical music scene.

Aileen Tang chats with Yuto Lim (12), Sophia Fang (11), Jacob Cheng (15), and Mark Chia (11).

The Flying Inkpot: How old were you when you 1st started learning the violin? Were you the one who asked to learn, or did your parents suggest that you learn?

Jacob Cheng: I was 3 years old and my parents suggested that I learn.

Sophia Fang: I started learning at 3, after an encounter with my older friend playing the violin. That sparked my interest and my parents enrolled me in a violin class.

Mark Chia: I started learning the violin at 3½ years old. My mom exposed me to the piano early on and asked if I wanted to learn the piano when I was about 3. Then I heard someone practising the violin, and I liked the sound of the violin so much that I asked to learn the violin instead.

Yuto Lim: My parents suggested that I learn the violin when I was 5. At that time, I was very energetic, and my parents thought learning an instrument would help my concentration and self-control. 

TFI: How much do you practise in a regular week (without special occasions or overseas travel)?

Jacob: I practise every day, for 1 to 2 hours.

Sophia: I usually practise around 2 hours each day. This usually includes one longer session, as well as shorter sessions squeezed in between homework or other activities.

Mark: I usually practice between 3 to 5 hours daily.

Yuto: Around 7 hours in a week: around 30 minutes to an hour on weekdays, and 2 hours on weekends.

TFI: How do you manage your time between preparing for a concert or competition, and your schoolwork?

Jacob: – I try to balance the time that I spend practising and doing my schoolwork equally, by creating a schedule that includes dedicated time for both music practice and schoolwork.

Sophia: A couple of years ago, my dad taught me how to use a timetable to manage my time. Now, I usually plan my schedule, with time for both violin practice and other commitments, as well as enough time for me to pursue other hobbies and rest. During the weekdays, I usually practise after school and do most of my homework after dinner; I try to practise more during the weekends. Fortunately, during earlier concerts and competitions, I didn’t have to worry about the PSLE, which helped me learn how to maintain a balance between practising and schoolwork.

Mark: I try to complete my homework in school so that I have more time to practise when I get home. I will use weekends and holidays to practise more.

Yuto: I try to plan the day’s schedule in the morning before going to school. Sometimes I try to do my schoolwork on public transport. But in general, I still need help from my parents with time management, and I am still working to improve it.

TFI: Are you planning to be a professional violinist in the future? If not, what career would you like to pursue in the future and why?

Jacob: I’m not sure what career I would like to pursue in the future yet.

Sophia: I’m still exploring my options for the future. Maybe I will become a doctor like my dad, but I’m not entirely sure yet. Even though I am not sure if I want to pursue music as a career, I know that violin and music will always be a large part of my life.

Mark: Yes, I would like to be a professional violinist. No matter what happens in the future, music will always be in my life. I would like to do more composing in the future 😊

Yuto: Yes, I hope that one day I can be a violinist like Ray Chen, and like him, be able to touch other people’s hearts through music. I also hope to be able to be like my teacher [Ed: Edward Tan], who is able to wear many hats as both a performer and conductor.

TFI: You’re performing Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons”. Which season do you most identify with and why (it doesn’t have to be the season you’re playing)?

Jacob: I identify with Autumn the most as it is the most joyous and carefree season out of the four.

Sophia: I like Spring because I enjoy listening to more light-hearted pieces. Spring also symbolises hope and happiness. I generally enjoy pieces in major keys more than minor keys.

Yuto: Summer, because Singapore is always so hot! But unlike Vivaldi’s summer, it is also very humid in Singapore, and I sweat a lot!

Mark: I feel that I also identify with Summer the most, as it’s one of – if not the only – season that occurs here in Singapore 😅. For example, the drowsy expressions in the beginning of the first movement and in the second movement are what I feel when I do something outdoors like climbing Bukit Timah Hill – a bit tired and languid in the hot and humid weather.

TFI: How do you feel about playing in the upcoming concert with re:Sound?

Jacob: I am excited to play in the concert with re:Sound – excited because it’s a wonderful opportunity to share my take on Vivaldi’s Autumn. It will be my first experience performing without a conductor and I look forward to collaborating with the skilled musicians in re:Sound.

Sophia: I feel very excited and I’m looking forward to the concert as I have been wanting to play with an orchestra for a long time!

Mark: I am elated to be given the opportunity to be able to perform with re:Sound, and I am very thankful to the people – Mr Mervin Beng, my teacher Min Lee and everyone else involved – who gave me this rare opportunity. I am really looking forward to the upcoming concert with the other soloists and musicians!

Yuto: I am very excited to make music with them! I hope to be able to present a fresh interpretation of The Four Seasons to Singaporean audiences!

TFI: Do you have any particular routine or ritual before going on stage for a concert or competition?

Jacob: No, I don’t have any particular routine.

Sophia: No, not really!

Mark: I would normally just warm up and do some practice before a concert or competition, and I will relax a bit just before going on stage.

Yuto: I pray. And I also do a final costume check to avoid embarrassing “accidents”!


TFI: How would your best friend describe you in 3 words?

Jacob: Inquisitive, funny, cheeky.

Sophia: Hardworking, interesting, opinionated.

Mark: My best friends say I’m calm, creative, and can be quite cheeky!

Yuto: Violin, violin, violin – that’s what my best friend really said!

PRODIGIOUS: The Trout & Four Seasons
Wednesday, 20 March 2024, 7:30pm
Victoria Concert Hall

Franz Schubert: Piano Quintet in A major, D. 667 (Trout Quintet)
Antonio Vivaldi: The Four Seasons (Le quattro stagioni)

Tickets for Prodigious are available from SISTIC:

https://www.sistic.com.sg/events/prodigious0324