Keywords: multiculturalism, pluralism, fusion, authenticity, Singaporean-ness, cultural borrowing, contemporary classical music

In this mini-podcast I will showcase how multiculturalism, which is so characteristic for Singapore’s society, influences contemporary classical music composed by composers from or based in Singapore.

Link to the podcast: https://soundcloud.com/maarten-bauer/mini-podcast-multiculturalism-in-singaporean-contemporary-classical-music?si=728417fd2f51484ab7ac9ef7cf96a222&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Link to the Google Drive map with the transcript and podcast recording: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1R9Owol1ZF_La9iqKCEkIuvyJLyH0kcOX?usp=sharing

Mini-Podcast: Multiculturalism In Singaporean Contemporary Classical Music

Maarten Bauer - A Second Chance for solo viola & audio (2021)
Dedicated to Michelle Pritchard

Thank you for our wonderful collaboration!
Some words from Michelle's program notes:

''This single movement composition is formed around my lived experience with the eye disease- Keratoconus. This disease causes degeneration of the front surface of the eye- the cornea (the “window” of the eye). In the more severe cases this can result in corneal transplants of which I have had three and many procedures over several years.
My gradual loss of sight is encapsulated in the recorded segments of a personal interview. The contrast between light and dark. Voice and instrument. Silence is important. As the piece progresses, the chordal structures the work is based around become fragmented - fragmentation in rhythm and harmony.''

Bauer - A Second Chance (Michelle Pritchard)

‘’Segara Gunung’’ (Balinese: ocean mountain) is my first composition written for gamelan, specifically Balinese gong kebyar. The title reflects the juxtaposing of two types of articulation: wet (soft sustained sounds) and dry (harsh muted sounds). In order to understand the basic concepts of cycles, irama (time and tempo) and interlocking figures, this piece incorporates traditional elements from gong kebyar style as well as contemporary techniques such as muting, glissandi and dissonances.

Bauer - Segara Gunung

Een Stedeling Uit Het Dorp (A Citizen From the Village)

‘A Citizen from the Village' is inspired by my experience with moving from a small town to a big city. The city made me partly lose my rest, innocence and purity. losing rest, innocence and purity. 
This can be heard by listening to the pastorale, singing melody that is harmed by the dirtiness of the city. Every time the city flies by like a flashback, the melody loses some purity and beauty.
Finally, nothing is left of the melody and the villager has become a citizen.

Picture by Edwin Sung

Een Stedeling Uit Het Dorp

Tobias Wenting - From Childhood To Death

It was a pleasure to collaborate with the Dutch composer Tobias Wenting to realise a composition for solo saxophone, which I played.

Composed & recorded by Tobias Wenting
Performed by Maarten Bauer

Wenting - From Childhood To Death

I am currently studying composition at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague (NL). Art means everything to me. Besides music, I also love architecture, painting, drawing and writing poetry and literature.

Maarten Bauer

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