A Symphony by Russian Composer Vladimir Martynov
"Inspired by Singapore, and by a composer from one of the greatest musical civilisations, SINGAPORE is a powerful and evocative work that reflects the composer's vision of the nation.
I saw Singapore as an ideal state, a utopia for humanity, which I know has never existed and will never, ever exist. And the fragrant memories of what I saw filled me with happiness. – Vladimir Martynov
Vladimir Martynov, a musical icon in Russia, hailed by many to be Russia's premier contemporary composer.
BIG COUNTRY BOWED TO A SMALL COUNTRY... Vladimir Martynov, having united in his composition depictions of the actual country and descriptions of Utopia from the TaoDeJing, expressed his own thoughts about Singapore being an ideal state... With the help of the great Russian and European cultural heritage, he showed how a big country could bow to a small one, saing that it is better to "let your community be small, with only a few people". – Grigory Durnovo, Gazeta Daily (Russia)
After its astounding and successful world premiere in Moscow's famous Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, Martynov's symphony will have its Singapore premiere 5 March 2007 at the Esplanade, launching the 2nd Russia-SingaporThis must be someone's idea of an elaborate joke. Maybe it's an elaborate satire, since this utopia "has never existed and will never, ever exist".