Entitled Where the River Always Flows, a debut outdoor performance from the Teng Ensemble at the Fullerton Hotel Singapore’s East Garden Square revived the sounds of Singapore’s heritage music.
DPA d:vote Instrument Microphones were used on the combination of Western and Chinese instruments used in the performance. These included a cello, a Sheng and a Guzheng. Audio engineer Steve Zhang also specified a DPA d:facto Vocal Microphone for the Ensemble’s renowned countertenor Phua Ee Kia.
‘Phua Ee Kia has a uniquely expressive and dynamic voice, therefore the d:facto Vocal Microphone’s high SPL handling and wide dynamic range ensured that his performance was not constrained by technical limitations, even in the slightest,’ Zhang says. ‘For the instruments, the clarity of the d:vote Instrument Microphone was a major advantage – as was its flexibility. This minuscule gooseneck mic can be mounted conveniently on top of clips that come in various shapes and sizes. Even for an instrument as unconventional as the Sheng, the d:vote 4099 manages to provide a solution that allows fluid on-stage movement of the musician, so that he is able to fully express his artistry.’
Established in 2004, The Teng Ensemble is a collective of music educators, scholars and instrumentalists who create and develop projects in Chinese instrumental music. The group’s performances fuse traditional and contemporary influences to create a sound that is current, visionary and guided by Asian aesthetics. The works highlight the significance of Singapore’s songs and places in shaping the Singaporean sensibility of today. By revisiting heritage songs and presenting them in a contemporary way, the ensemble also aims to spark interest in the history of Southeast Asian music and its place in the modern world.
For the Fullerton Square performance, the Teng Ensemble were joined by accordionist Syafiqah ‘Adha and 2016 Noise Singapore alumni, Mars. The concert featured a new set of Singapore-inspired works including songs by P Ramlee and Zubir Said. They also performed two East-West pieces specially commissioned by The Fullerton Heritage.
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