SPH Gift of Music 2012 opens with Valentine's concert

SINGAPORE - Valentines sweethearts planning to take a stroll down to the Esplanade this Tuesday will be able to catch a special Valentine's day concert by the Philharmonic Winds, courtesy of the Singapore Press Holdings (SPH).

The free concert, to be staged at the Esplanade Concert Hall from 7.30pm to 8.30pm on February 14, is one of the total of 25 concerts organised under the banner of this year's SPH Gift of Music series.

Apart from its usual showcase of classical music, pop, jazz, rock and opera, the free concert series will be adding world music, anime and video game soundtracks to its repertoire this year.

Another not-to-be-missed performance is a concert by the Singapore Wind Symphony Youth Winds, to be held on February 25 at COSFEST.

The wind orchestra, in its debut partnership with SPH Gift of Music, will perform a selection of soundtracks from Japanese anime and video games.

In March, music lovers will be able to look forward to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) playing easy-listening classics at Temasek Polytechnic.

The national orchestra, led by Associate Conductor Darrell Ang, will be accompanied by young violinist Lanabel Teo, second-prize winner of the National Music Competition in 2011.

Other highlights include a world music concert at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre in April, which will feature a mix of world music genres, such as flamenco and Irish music.

Singer and song writer Brandon Lee will perform with his band in June, and the Esplanade, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, will bring together some local acts in a celebration concert in October.

Popular concerts such as Singapore Lyric Opera's Opera in the Park, the SCO Community Series by Singapore Chinese Orchestra and Jazz On the Roof with Singapore-based British jazz artist Greg Lyons, will also be making a return.

More information and details on upcoming concerts will be made available closer to the dates of the concerts.

The SPH Gift of Music series was launched in 2005 as a gift to the nation to celebrate Singapore's 40th anniversary.