Third Symphony

Last Friday saw a group of us NUSWS people at VJC's latest concert after their Gold with Honours achieved at the recent SYF.

It's a nice feeling to be able to just sit back and enjoy the show sometimes instead of being in the limelight. I also think it's one of the first times I've seen our conductor for NUSWS, Mr. Leonard Tan conducting from an audience's point of view.

This was a concert I came by chance. By chance because until a few nights before the performance, I still did not have a ticket. It was until my friend couldn't make it that I offered to take his place.I was quite glad I did.

The concert had a number of Tuba solis and solos. One of the first piece, Concertino for Tuba features a solo tuba which in my humble opinion was played quite well. The biggest piece of the night was Third Symphony by James Barnes,which according to Mr. Tan was put together in 6 rehearsals- no mean feat for a work of four movements averaging a time of about 10 mins per movement. It expresses the pain Barnes felt when he lost his own daughter, moving on to reconcillation and finally to hope. It also features numerous passages of Tuba solos. A work that drains you emotionally, just listening the piece was reason enough for me to attend the concert.

I actually am quite paiseh to admit it but I teared a little in the third movement. If your friends have the piece , go take a listen!