Winning Keys

Yesterday's concert was very exciting. Featuring winners from various competitions, it was really an honour for me to share the stage with the names of local favourite Darius Lim, European Kseniya Vokhmiyanina, senior and fellow Indonesian Doreen Chitra, and other virtuoso pianists. Presenting two etudes by Chopin and Liszt, which I previously had played for the preliminary round of UPH National Piano Competition few months ago, I really enjoyed my moment on stage.

Ok now here are the photos.

And yeah, you can see everyone there with Rena Phua and Boris Kraljevic. (Click for larger image, of course)

Thanks to those who took the photos for us

3 Months to The End of Year

"Writing skills come from habit". Perhaps that's true.
It has been a while since I wrote my last post, as I've been very busy with school works, and it feels very uneasy for me even only to write a few sentences to start my post.

Let me first thank God for his power during the last two days; my practise sessions felt very alive, classes were attended with full attention and it felt just as comfortable when I did my sports.

This month will be the last month of my study in NAFA this year, followed by exams next month. Some performances to be noted are Piano performance on the 28th and NAFA Symphonic Wind Ensemble performance on the 14th. I'm planning to compose a new solo piano piece and finished my Joyful Mass and a set of Children's Pieces to round up the year.

Serena Williams Passes Two Island with One Row

We have come to the last Grand Slam of the year and here's Serena Williams (left), winning another notable title and regaining world no.1 ranking. She beat Jelena Jankovic of Serbia, 6-4, 7-5.

It is my first time witnessing Serena on the top of world ranking since she became my idol in 2003.

Here are the final results from U.S. Open:
- Men's Singles :
Roger Federer (SUI) defeated Andy Murray (GBR) 6-2, 7-5, 6-2

-Men's Doubles:
Bryan/Bryan (USA) defeated Dlouhy (CZE)/Paes(IND) 7-6 (5), 7-6(10)

-Women's Doubles:
Black (ZIM)/ Huber (USA) defeated Raymond (USA)/Stosur (AUS) 6-3, 7-6(6)

-Mixed Doubles:
Black /Paes defeated Liezel Huber (USA)/Jamie Murray (GBR) 7-6(6), 6-4
(Photo is taken from usopen.org)

Russians Dominate Once Again

In the photo shown above, Dinara Safina, Elena Dementieva and Vera Zvonareva of Russia successfully swept all the three medals: silver, gold and bronze respectively, for their country. They did the pride for their country despite the year which was dominated by Serbians (Jankovic and Ivanovic) and Serena Williams as world no.1 in the ranking. (Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images. Taken from Beijing 2008 Olympics Games official website)


Other result from Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics:

Women's Doubles:
Gold - Serena Williams/Venus Williams (USA)
Silver - Anabel Medina Garrigues/Virginia Ruano Pascual (ESP)
Bronze - Yan Zi/Zheng Jie (CHN)

Men's Singles:
Gold - Rafael Nadal (ESP)
Silver - Fernando Gonzalez (CHI)
Bronze - Novak Djokovic (SRB)

Men's Doubles:
Gold - Roger Federer/ Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI)
Silver - Simon Aspelin/ Thomas Johansson (SWE)
Bronze - Bob Bryan/ Mike Bryan (USA)

Dear all Indonesians and Singaporeans, let's work hard and do the pride for our countries. In any way (yes, "not littering" counts).

Sisters Rule, Nadal the (New) King (Wimbledon Results)

Wimbledon was really entertaining after days of competition. In the final of women's singles, audience are once again entertained by Williams sisters. Men's singles final is still business as usual: Federer against Nadal.

Venus Williams had her glorious month after defending her Women's Singles title and added it with Women's Doubles title. Venus won 7-5,6-4 against Serena, and by motivation that her sister was thirsting to be a champion, she worked cooperatively and played agressively in the doubles match against Lisa Raymond (USA)/Samantha Stosur (AUS).

Meanwhile, after successfully defending his title in Roland Garros last month, Rafael Nadal once again triumphed for victory in Wimbledon, after beating Roger Federer. The match ended in 5 sets, 6-4,6-4,6-7(5),6-7(8), 9-7, and could be considered as one of the greatest match in this era. Nadal has moved closer to the top spot of the ranking and become the only person after Bjorn Borg to grab Roland Garros and Wimbledon's men's singles title in the same year.

Oh, and not to forget the result of men's doubles:
D Nestor (CAN)/N Zimonjic (SRB)x2 defeated J Bjorkman (SWE)/Kevin Ullyett (ZIM)x8
7-6(12), 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-3

Another result from mixed doubles:
Bob Bryan (USA)/ Samantha Stosur (AUS) defeated Mike Bryan (USA)/ K Srebotnik (SLO)x1
7-5, 6-4

Yeah, Venus Williams and Rafael Nadal. My inspirations, my idols.
(Photo by Lovelock, taken from http://2008.wimbledon.org)

Which Tarot Card Are You?

You are The Magician

Skill, wisdom, adaptation. Craft, cunning, depending on dignity.

Eleoquent and charismatic both verbally and in writing,
you are clever, witty, inventive and persuasive.

The Magician is the male power of creation, creation by willpower and desire. In that ancient sense, it is the ability to make things so just by speaking them aloud. Reflecting this is the fact that the Magician is represented by Mercury. He represents the gift of tongues, a smooth talker, a salesman. Also clever with the slight of hand and a medicine man - either a real doctor or someone trying to sell you snake oil.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Rungkat Grabs Trophy in Roland Garros

Christopher Rungkat of Indonesia has brought a pride for his nation by winning French Open Boys' Doubles title with Henri Kontinen of Finland. They ended the came with convincing score of 6-0, 6-3, defeating another unseeded pair of Jaan-Frederik Brunken of Germany and Matt Reid of Australia. En route to the final, Rungkat and Kontinen beat the tournament's first seed pair of Henrique Cunha (Brasil) and Cesar Ramirez (Mexico) in straight set and didn't lose any single set until their victory in today's final.

“I guess team work is the main thing in doubles always. You have to have good communication with your partner and get on with him and that’s how it all starts,” said Continen, when asked the secret to winning junior grand slam doubles titles, as reported in www.itftennis.com. "Of course we feel happy to win a junior grand slam. We played good since the first round until today. We didn’t lose a set. We played with high performances this week. I think Henri and I feel the same – we feel happy,” said Rungkat.

The new grand slam champion was Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, who won her final match against Dinara Safina (RUS), 6-4, 6-3 . Men's singles, as expected, Nadal defeated Federer in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 for his 4th consecutive Roland Garros title.

I'd like to congratulate Christopher Rungkat for his achievement and of course here's my greatest appreciation for him.



Meanwhile, here are some results from the other final rounds :

Men's Doubles:
P Cuevas (URU)/L Horna (PER) def. D Nestor (CAN)/ N Zimonjic (SRB)
6-2, 6-3

Women's Doubles :
Virginia Ruano Pascual/ Anabel Medina Garriques (ESP) def. F Schiavone (ITA) / C Dellacqua (AUS) 2-6, 7-5, 6-4

Mixed Doubles :
Victoria Azarenka (BLR)/ Bob Bryan (USA) def. Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) / Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) 6-2, 7-6(4)

Enough Tennis for Henin

Current world No.1 Justine Henin had pulled herself from tennis by her retirement from professional tennis yesterday, which she announced during a press conference in her tennis club. "It's a big day in my life," Henin said. "I know that it's a shock and a surprise for a lot of people but it's a decision I have been thinking about for some time." She also added, "Those who know me know it is serious".

Since turning pro in 1999, Henin has won 41 tournaments, including 7 grand slam titles. She is known for her graceful backhand, which John McEnroe describes as "the purest stroke in men's and women's game". She has collected nearly US$20 millions, with more than 25% came from last season, where she won 10 of 14 events she entered.

Picture is taken from www.britannica.com

Let's read the critic...

Allright, here is the critic for NAFA Music Department's performance on "The 9th" on 9th of April.

Life! - Life Music
11 April 2008
Straits Times
(c) 2008 Singapore Press Holdings Limited

IMPERFECT, BUT FULL OF HEART
concert

NANYANG ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS 70TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Victoria Concert Hall Wednesday

Every performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony is an occasion to treasure, even if it is performed by a body of students, most of whom are playing it for the first time.

Never mind the opening jitters, the miscues, intonation lapses, or uneven ensemble, it was a matter of time that the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Nafa) Orchestra settled down to the business end of music-making.

Its German-born music director Volker Hartung lent a healthy dose of Teutonic grandeur to the proceedings, yielding a reading that ran just under 80 minutes, and one that had many moments to savour.

While the opening movement was weighed down by its epic scale, precision ruled in the Scherzo with a very fine solo from oboist Jeremy Wong.

The sublime slow movement, the most difficult to pull off, was taken at a plodding pace.

When one expected the music to flow seamlessly, its 17 minutes almost seemed an eternity. However, all this was dispelled with the choral finale.

The first appearance of the Ode To Joy theme, gratefully sung by the double basses, was marvellously shaped and the mood for celebration was set.

The vocal soloists had a mixed evening. Bass Ralph McDonald sounded surprisingly lightweight in his imposing opening solo, whereas tenor Lim Shieh Yih was resolute, even heroic. Alto Zhou Qian blended well within the quartet without being obtrusive, and soprano Nancy Yuen hit her glory note with assuredness, only to go flat thereafter.

The crowning glory was, however, the Nafa Chorus, which ran the gauntlet with gusto, especially in the highly taxing choral fugue and the final apotheosis.

They have been well coached by chorus master Zechariah Goh Toh Chai.

Despite the imperfections of execution, here was a very commendable performance that was full of heart, one that raised many a goosebump.

Earlier in the evening, the Nafa Gamelan Ensemble hammered out their version of Ode To Joy in the foyer, and the 27-member Nafa Chinese Ensemble performed four celebratory Chinese showpieces.

Where on this planet could one find such diversity of musical genres and forms?

Only in Singapore, only at Nafa.

NAFA Students To Perform "The 9th" (How is your opinion... ?)

"Let's have a lot of fun tommorow !"
--- Volker Hartung, condductor, Head of Orchestral Studies and Conductor of NAFA Orchestra.

"The rehearsal has spent so much time and many times I must change my schedule with (my) students. It's also still disappointing not to have any of my student to perform for a solo concerto, which I don't know why up to now. Well, let's just see how it goes."
--- Boris Kraljevic, International Pianist, faculty of NAFA Department of Music.

"Ah, I can't really give any comment. I've never seen the reharsal. Later if I got chance to see, then I'll tell you.
--- James Yap, Music Theory module lecturer, faculty of NAFA Department of Music.

"A little bit sleepy during the performance (to wait until the final movement), since there's nothing to see (as a performer, not audience). However it feels kinda cool that we are all able to do it."
--- Mingshanwang, 1st year Diploma in Piano Performance, Choir Member (Alto).

"I'd love to watch the performance. Let's see wether I have time for it."
--- Iswargia Sudiarno, Indonesian pianist.

"I think it's pretty good... at least I'd think this way because we worked really, really hard for it"
--- Tan Wen Bin, 2nd year Diploma in Composition, Orchestra Member (Cello).

"It will be a very interesting performace to watch. I love The 9th! Unfortunately I can't go to watch it as I've bought a ticket for performance by my school's orchestra."
--- Akkra Yeunyonghattaporn, 1st year student in Yong Siew Toh Conservatory.

"Ok I will come to watch it after my work. I've never heard the song (Ode to Joy) in its original language before."
--- Christopher Ng, 28.

I'm really looking forward to our performance. We shall do our best together. It will be an enjoyable performance, so make sure you don't miss the show !

United, We Stand !

The story of the song started with an image of war, where Enrique as Master of Fire was fighting in the most dangerous area against the most powerful enemy forces. The changing sections with diffrent sound colours try to tell the audience how Enrique used his diffrent magic and skills, as well as his enemies. As the enemies kept coming and they couldn't be easily defeated, Enrique started to feel tired and weak.

Being very far away and relaxing in his room, Spyronze need not to be worried about any damage that can injured himself. It's just his character to avoid going to the war and sacrifies the others to fight before him. However, he suddenly could feel that his best friend, Enrique, was in need of help. That was the moment when he came into action. Spyronze would not let this happen, as Enrique was the strongest person that he would trust in dealing with enemies. So he went to approach the other Power Masters and with his ability to transfer energy, absorbed a little energy from each of them. Equipped with his handy teleport amulet and protection amulet, he didn't face so much trouble to wander around in the middle of the war.

He finally came to Enrique and passed him the power. In addition to that, he gave such good encouragement for Enrique. For a moment, the feeling of exhaustness turned into relax feeling, and the war around them changed into a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere of Chinese Garden. Enrique then felt so refreshed and once again ready to fight whatever came on his way. His spirit was even more burned while Spyronze also fought togther with him.


"United, We Stand!" is originally composed for piano solo, but in the beginning of 2008 I composed a new version for piano, violin, saxophone and trombone. It was premiered in Lee Foundation Theatre during NAFA's Music Platform on 19 March 2008. Just like Enrique had Spyronze to give him the power for fighting, I also had powerful force of talented musicians to perform together with my piano. I'd like to express my greatest acknowledgment to them :

Gabriel Lee, violin
Nicanor Ng, trombone
Rekkha R, saxophone

Here are some quotes related to the story and the music :

"Ah, no need to worry about it. We have the power of ten people with us now. All you need is just a little confidence."
-Spyronze Ramsquad

"My courage has come back, and I am no longer feel defeated."
-Enrique Garcia

"We stand in unity, from unity, for unity.
United, We Stand ! We will prove it to you"
-myself (who else?)

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Djokovic Earns First Grand Slam Title (Australian Open 2008)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia (middle) celebrates with his family after earning his first Grand Slam title in Melbourne, Australia. Picture is taken from Yahoo! Sports' Gallery.

You might miss any result from other tournaments, but not from Grand Slam. Therefore, although my time for writing is getting lesser currently, I'll still provide some writings on who are the grand slam champions.

When Australian Open as the first Grand Slam of the year started, I am -as usual- more interested for updates from the women's field. Those who read about tennis should know the reason; yes, it's Federer supremacy.

However, it turned out that no more Federer in this year's final, thanks to Serbian teenager whom I admire, Novak Djokovic, for beating him in semifinal round. For me he deserves to win his first Grand Slam title.

Australian Open 2008 Final Results :

Men's Singles :
Novak Djokovic (SRB) beat Jo-Wilfred Tsonga (FRA)
4-6 6-4 6-3 7-6(2).

Women's Singles :
Maria Sharapova (RUS) beat Ana Ivanovic (SRB)
7-5 6-3

Men's Doubles :
Jonathan Elrich/Andy Ram (ISR) beat Arnaud Clement/Michael Llodra (FRA)
7-5 7-6(4)

Women's Doubles :

(from australianopen.com)

Alona/Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) beat Victoria Azarenka (BLR)/Shahar Peer (ISR)
2-6 6-1 6-4


Mixed Doubles :
Nenad Zimonjic (SRB)/ Sun Tian Tian (CHN) beat Sania Mirza / Mahesh Bhupathi (IND)
7-6(4) 6-4

USA Begins 2008 with Hopman Cup Victory

Serena Williams and Mardy Fish holding Hopman Cup trophy (taken from www.hopmancup.com)

Hey everyone! I'm really sorry for my absence in blogging for more than one month. I think I have been enjoying my old and new, watching Hopman Cup and Exhibition Matches in Hong Kong (from my TV), then it was time to be back in Singapore again. Right on the very first day of school this year, Australian Open kicked off. All these things, together with my school works and music, had forced me to spend most of my time, mind, and energy. However, it doesn't mean I didn't care or even forgot about my blogs. There was no single day without opening my very dear website, http://spynetworking.blogspot.com, to check wether any reader or visitor wrote some comments.

Allright, now is time to report some news from tennis.

The new season of 2008, like the previous years, started with Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia. While Davis Cup is a men's teams competition and Fed Cup belongs to the women's team, Hopman Cup is for mixed teams. In my opinion, Hopman Cup is very intersting to watch, as we rarely could watch mixed doubles matches, and there are always some top players participating; this year, the public of Perth was delighted by the presence of Serbian duo, Jelena Jankovic and Novak Djokovic, third-ranked players from both women and men, making Serbia as top seed this year, and also 8 Grand Slams' title holder Serena Williams, representing United States with Mardy Fish (as second-seedded nation). The other six nations who participated were Czech Republic, France, Argentina, India, Chinese Taipei and Australia.

The invited seven nations and one winning nation of Asian Hopman Cup - it was Chinese Taipei this year- were divided into two groups of four to play a round-robin format (facing against each of the other three teams). The winner from each group then met in the final round to fight for the title.

In this year's final, United States competed against Serbia in a battle for the title. U.S. got their early lead as Serbia decided not to play Jelena Jankovic in her singles match against Serena Williams, as she was suffering a strained muscle at the top of her right hamstring. However, Djokovic managed to get the game level at 1-1 after rallying 6-2, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4) in a two-and-a-half-hour singles match against Mardy Fish, forcing the deciding mixed doubles to be played. Serena Williams and Mardy Fish finished their mixed doubles match against Djokovic and Jankovic in straight sets 7-6 (5), 6-2 to claim USA's 5th Hopman Cup Title.