Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Fritz Quartet @ Ashley Isham Fashion Show

20 April 2010
Tze Chuan's thoughts-

12.30pm:
Soundcheck + Rehearsal for my solo item.
Turns out that I'm opening the main show at the Mandarin Court (35th Floor of Meritus Mandarin). I'm playing Allemande, the first movement from Bach Partita no 2, without repeats. Just enough time for all the models to come out and strike their poses.

1.30pm:
Rehearsal done.
Fittings. I get to wear a gown from Ashley Isham's collection! I'm looking at the heels and wondering how I'm going to maintain my balance without falling flat on my face. I go up again to the Mandarin Court, this time, just to see if I'm comfortable with the outfit. And also to figure out where to clip the mic transmitter. We make do with a belt.

6.15pm:
Standby with Fritz Quartet.
We are playing 1 set outside the boutique at Mandarin Gallery.
Welcome back to Yaw Chang who was out of action for the past fortnight due to chicken pox.

6.50pm:
We play our set while guests mingle. We are sitting on really pretty chairs.

7.30pm:
We finish our set. Time really passes fast when we are all enjoying ourselves. Daniel Boey gives us a thumbs up.
I head to Mandarin Court with my violin case and bag.. to change into my gown for the main show.

8pm:
The dressing room is crowded with models. And it is a really small one. I change into the outfit and enlist the help of the dressers to wear my heels. I think they are about 4-5 inches high. My heels get caught on the back of my gown as I make my way up. Thank goodness for a kind waitress, it's no fun struggling with bag, violin case, long gown and balance all at the same time.

8.30pm or so:
One glass of champagne later- Show time. I get escorted on stage by a hunky male model, heehee. No worries about falling! I play my first note and allow myself to immerse in the atmosphere. Occasional camera flashes here and there. I focus on playing and time stops.

8.33pm:
I'm done with my item, the models are all at their places. My bow remains in the air for a while, the moment lingers. The audience clap, I take my bows, the light fades and I move off the stage.

And I'm done for the evening. After changing out, I head back and join the rest of my quartet who are invited for the show. It's indeed been an experience.

Some photos from the event:

Back view of Daniel Boey directing the show and volume of music etc from the sound console

View from Sound Console

It's just something mystifying about all these gadgets

Models and I for the opening - photo courtesy of Her World

Once again, special thanks to Daniel Boey for inviting the Fritz Quartet to perform for this special launch. It's a pity we didn't get to meet Ashley Isham himself, as he was stuck in London due to the volcanic ash.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Fritz Quartet Playlist

Youtube Playlist: Celebrate December with Fritz Quartet @ Esplanade Concourse



Songs featured:

You Raise Me Up - Rolf Løvland
Andante Cantabile from String Quartet no 1 - Tchaikovsky