LIEN Boon Hua

“The orchestra was just as impressive under the baton of prize-winning guest conductor Lien Boon Hua.

The dance rhythm of [Josef Strauss’ Sphärenklänge Walzer and Johann Strauss’ Tritsch-Tratsch Polka] was lovingly captured and this continued with Bedrich Smetana’s Die Moldau. [...] The Bohemian spirit that pulsed through this splendid showing was robust yet sensitive.”

“Conductor Boon Hua Lien impressed with Kodály’s vivid fairy tale world, Dohnányi’s sometimes grotesque humor, and no less the brilliant colors of Ravel’s spinning waltzes. Liberated, confidently conducted, he felt and enjoyed the diversity of the works.”

“Having listened to his comments and observed his cooperation with the band, I conclude that at this stage his knowledge of the scores was excellent, too, because he was reaching quite deep into the matter of both pieces, especially the one by Shostakovich. It seemed to me he was interested in the colours of this darkness, but he was also taking care of the sound balance between individual groups of instruments. The orchestra played very well for him. ”

“His joy of conducting and authenticity of experiencing music was ravishing – I refuse to believe that it could have been pretended.

In general, this is a very joyful musician, able to do a lot, seeming to know a lot. He shows everything that should be shown, he keeps the discipline of the performance. [...]

And then there was only the symphony, conducted with an emotional temperature, briskly, interestingly. How emotional he got when he was going through the dark moods present in this piece. The orchestra played excellently for him. I think that emotionally they were with him, but then you just can’t play “Pathétique” in any other way. [...]

This performance of our well liked guest from far Singapore was very successful and valuable!”