“For many of us, the highlight of the music at the WASBE Conference was a work for choir and wind orchestra Sang Nila by the Singapore composer Zechariah Goh Toh Chai. Chai studied at the University of Kansas, and I already knew his very fine Concertino for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble. This is a tautly constructed work with an energy and use of motivic writing a little reminiscent of Bartok…” – Timothy Reynish
“This was a haunting and magical work for chorus and band, featuring chanting and beguiling bell sounds. Here the influence of Gamelan music was triumphantly integrated into the musical language; the static harmonic field in this context was totally appropriate. The composer, who conducted this premiere has clearly absorbed many musical directions of the last fifty years…” – Adam Gorb
“As I was putting this lecture together, I reflected that there were very few concerti to report but gradually I came to the conclusion that it is in fact something of a vintage two years. Most of these concertos are referred to later in the lecture but I would like to draw attention to a composer who made a strong impression on Adam Gorb and myself in Singapore, Zechariah Goh, who recently wrote a fine Marimba Concerto.” – Timothy Reynish