The acclaimed six-man band The TENG Ensemble will bring Southeast Asian folk songs back to life in their first concert in Singapore. Entitled “Stories from an Island City,” the performance will take place at the Esplanade Concert Hall on August 12. The group will also launch their second album, from which the event borrows its name, at the concert.Directed by Singapore’s prominent theater and film director Glen Goei, the show will revisit 10 stories from the region, interpreted through a multidisciplinary showcase of music, dance, and film. The ensemble has taken inspiration from familiar folk tunes, notably “Chan Mali Chan,” “Munnaeru Vaalibaa,” and “Di Tanjong Katong,” composed by New York-based composer Chow Jun Yi and arranged by sound artist Huang Peh Linde.TENG’s unique blend of Chinese and Western is a celebration of Singapore’s multicultural heritage. To highlight the city’s multi-ethnicity, TENG has collaborated with local dancers and artists, including Hong Kong-trained contemporary dancer Ix Wong of dance duo Ah Hock and Peng Yu, as well as multidisciplinary artist and founder of N Dance and Yoga, Nirmala Seshadri. Both will share the stage with the musicians, performing choreographed dances during the concert. Additionally, tabla maestro M. S. Maniam, percussionist Riduan Zalani (co-founder of NADI Singapura), and Singaporean accordionist Syafiqah 'Adha will add new dimensions to TENG’s cutting-edge music.“This concert will truly be a celebration of Singapore’s unparalleled progress and rich heritage,” said Dr Samuel Wong, Artistic Director and member of the TENG Ensemble, in a statement.The TENG Ensemble comprises six musicians: Sheng player Yang Ji Wei, Pipa player Samuel Wong, cellist Gerald Teo, sound artist Huang Peh Linde, guitarist James Fernando, and countertenor Phua Ee Kia. Co-founded in 2009 by Yang Ji Wei, the group merges classical and contemporary instruments with the use of technology, giving traditional songs a new twist flavored with Asian aesthetics. The fusion of traditional and modern within these songs enables the band to induce interest in the history of Southeast Asian music.“Stories from an Island City” will take place on August 12 at the Esplanade Concert Hall in Singapore.
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