Chan Mali Chan Variations - Singapore Sounds

SINGAPORE SOUNDS
Conductor: Adrian Chiang
Soloist: Kang Chun Meng, euphonium
Arranger: Lee Jin Jun

Variations on Chan Mali Chan was commissioned by the Singapore Wind Symphony in 2014, as a closing piece for their concert featuring the great trumpet virtuoso Joe Burgstaller. The original idea was to do a showpiece similar to the Arban variations on The Carnival of Venice, but using local folk tune as the theme. After some deliberation, the popular Malay folk song Chan Mali Chan was chosen. I also decided to take concept further by laying out the variations so that they develop into a mini tone poem. Each variation depicts an aspect and stage in a person's life - childhood, the bold teenage years, being in love, industrious work, growing old and death - rounded off with a finale that quotes the heroic themes from Richard Wagner's operas, celebrating how each individual's life plays or can play a part towards making a better world in which we can live. Variations on Chan Mali Chan is dedicated to all Singaporeans, especially to the many unsung heroes who have quietly made a difference.

Since December 2014, Variations on Chan Mali Chan has also been performed with a euphonium soloist, with the legendary Steven Mead as the soloist for the premiere of the euphonium version. This version also features euphonium soloist Kang Chun Meng, and for the first time with an orchestra.
Lee Jinjun