Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra - Harmony Tour 2009-2010, The Esplanade, April 19, 2009

I'm not a music critic. I'm a music lover.

When I hear a sound I like, I will pursue it until I get my fill of it.

One of the major reasons why I went to Singapore was because the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra will be performing at The Esplanade for one night only. It was an accidental discovery of one night of long internet surfing. The knowledge that these guys were part of the Nodame Cantabile orchestral pieces gave me enough motivation to book a flight, hotel, and reserve a concert ticket online. I wanted to make sure I get a good seat.

Everyone who've heard of my plans probably think I was crazy or weird 'cuz they never imagined I actually listened to classical music (maybe the heavy metal CDs displayed in my living room gave them an idea).

I was daydreaming after watching the live action drama for the nth time that one day I will go to Japan and catch them at Suntory Hall. Sort of a to-do in my bucket list. But the laziness of applying for a tourist visa for Japan kept on repelling me to do so (I kinda hate going through the process of getting one. It's just so tedious.)

I guess it was really sheer dumb luck or just the fates telling me it's time to face real music head-on (and go for an adventure).



The Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1965 as part of a cultural promotion project to mark the Tokyo Olympic Games. The orchestra have been regaling audiences in Japan and the rest of the world ever since.

The Singapore leg is part of their Harmony Tour for 2009>2010, and it features resident conductor Koizumi Kazuhiro at the helm and Singapore national Lim Yan, as piano soloist.

The programme included:

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Polonaise from Eugene Onegin, Op. 24

Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 (Allegro molto moderato, Adagio, Allegro moderato molto e marcato)

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64 (Adante - Allegro con anima, Andante cantabile, con alcuna licenza, Valse , Finale )



Watching a performance at Singapore's The Esplanade was a unique experience for me. Outside it's architecturally beautiful. It's photogenic in all angles and its place near the Marina makes it more post card material. In my short stay in SG, this was my haven from the afternoon heat.

Inside, the concert hall performance of the orchestra is like listening to a beautifully equalized stereo system. The volume, the pitch, the energy emanating from the sounds produced gave me shivers.

Koizumi was wonderful. He directs his orchestra with the outmost grace, vivacity, sometimes fire. He also flashes a warm smile from time to time to his audience adding charm.

Also worth noting was the concert master (who unfortunately I'm not sure what's his name but from the programme I'm guessing he's Tatsuya Yabe), who handles the violin like an extra limb in his body. He really knows how to treat the instrument and has an expressive way of playing. The rest weren't far off themselves. The horn section particularly was hitting those notes. All in all, it was a solid performance. Harmony tour indeed.

Lim Yam's piano was the jewel of the piece. Though he performed only once, it stuck in my head. I am used to hearing that Grieg piece in a faster tempo and furious key pounding style. Lim Yam's rendition of the piece was relaxed, classy, and introspective. It's another dessert for my brain.

Used to be my plans of catching TMSO was a maybe or might be. But now it's a DEFINITELY. Though I will surely miss The Esplanade, I am eager to set foot on Suntory Hall and catch these guys AGAIN ... hopefully a Mozart or Beethoven (who I love so much) will be in the programme.

Singapore Travel Tips for First-Timers (Like Me!)

For those who will travel to Singapore for the first time - it's a lovely, squeaky clean, and kinda strict country. Here are some useful tips I can share with you that will be quite useful (coming from a first-timer who went there solo).

1. Pack more shirts. The country is just above the equator which makes it a tropical country. But coming from a warm place myself, I was greeted by humidity that made me take 2-3 baths a day. If it's not the humidity, there is a chance for rain. Otherwise, you can buy clothes in the malls. Singapore is a fantastic place to shop ... but if you're on a budget, pack the shirts.

PS: Don't bring bubble gum. They are anti-gum.

2. Get a TOURIST PASS. The Singapore Tourist pass is like their E-Z link card that you can use to ride the bus and MRT. It's about the size of a typical ATM card and looks like one. It's gonna save you money when traveling around the city. It's available in Changi Airport at the MRT interchange.

3. Get a MAP. You don't really need to buy one. There are free maps and guides inside at Changi Airport. It's beside the Visitor Center.

4. Don't exchange all your money at the foreign exchange counter at the airport. There are better rates outside. You need only SG$20-25 for a cab to the city, or SG $20-40 for a Tourist Pass. You don't need to tip the driver, actually for any service for that matter. It's strongly discouraged.

5. Don't plan a walking trip from 12PM to 5PM. It's hot and you'll be sweaty all over. Plan those trips in the morning or evening (The Esplanade is specially lovely in the evening). You can escape to the numerous malls during these unholy hours.

PS: Follow the pedestrian lane and stops so you won't get in trouble. FYI, vehicles are right-hand drive. So people used to the left-hand drive, they drive on the wrong side of the road (hehehe), turn your necks and watch where you walk.

6. Try the hawker food centers ... it's safe, cheap, and yummy. Unless your stomach is on the sensitive-side. But then you can always bring anti-diarrheals or stomach pills. :-)

7. If you are going to buy souvenirs - go to Chinatown, it's cheaper there. There's 3-for-SG$10 stores scattered all over there. You can get shirts, bags, SG souvenirs, etcetera.

8. Catch a show at The Esplanade. Lovely place ... specially the Concert Hall - fantastic acoustics. Sometimes,they have free shows at the lobby at night. You can go to the rooftop(?) and have a nice view of the Marina. I recommend that you visit it in the evening.




9. If you're on a heritage and cultural tour, start off in Bencoolen St - the riverside end. You'll be able to pass by the museums. It's also one of the lovely parts of the city. Don't miss out the Singapore Art Museum and the National Singapore Library. End it at Fort Canning Park, where you can sit and rest under the trees. It's also near Dhoby Gaut MRT station.




10. If you're going for the Night Safari, it opens 7:30 PM. If you're not taking a cab, take the MRT to Ang Mio Kho station. Go to the bus interchange - no need to get out of the MRT station ... there is an underground (?) pass that will lead you there. Just follow the signs. Take Bus 138. It's a 30-45 minute ride.


11. When buying goods, make sure you get a GST receipt/paper from your retailer. It's like a receipt form wherein you can fill out your details. You will need that when you get your tax refund at the airport.

12. Buying gadgets such as cellphones, laptops, computer parts etc.? Go to Sim Lim Square. Don't mistake it for the Sim Lim Tower - which is almost across it. The square is 5 floors of that electronics. You can go crazy there. Though Mustafa Center has those too, the choices are kinda limited. Just make sure you're really decided to buy something, they don't like it if you hop from one place to another, and haggle, and end up not buying.

13. Don't leave SG without trying the Singapore Sling, Chili Crab, Fish Head curry, Kopitiam, Gelare, and the exotic dishes in Little India. If you're food adventurous, observe which food stall has a line. If the Singaporeans fall in line for that stall, it's usually good (that's what I did, hahaha). You have to be patient though.

14. You can skip the Singapore Flyer .... unless you want to propose with 26 people around you or you're rich enough to cough up SG$1,000 for your own cab. It's nice to take pictures though in the evening.

15. Before checking in your baggage, go to the GST Tax Refund counter first. Produce your receipt, your GST receipt form (properly filled out to avoid delays), and passport (sometimes your e-ticket too). They might inspect the stuff you bought, so be ready to produce them (that's why don't check in your baggage). They should stamp it. Don't put it in your check-in baggage. You're gonna get your money back on the second GST counter AFTER immigrations, and you need to produce that stamped receipt/receipt form. After that you can go shopping again with your refunded cash inside the airport, which offers a lot of stuff. Otherwise, you can go to the foreign exchange counter.

Also of note: There's a small postal kiosk inside the airport, so don't fret if you haven't sent your postcard just yet. They sell stamps, so there's no need to go paranoid of not buying one outside. They also have postcards, forgetful you. :-)

Hopefully, my tips will make your touring a bit easier and fun in SG.