mar k chan...dear mr chan, my husband and i have attended many arts festival performances-cesaria...
TRANSCRIPT
M A R K C H A N
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I Write music for myself.
The music I myself need to hear as I live in a world gone crazy.
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Music Without Borders 無介音乐 Musique Sans Frontières
M A R K C H A NComposer / Musician / Writer
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Mark Chan is one of Singapore's premier composers.
A singer/multi-instrumentalist/poet and painter in his own right, his unique combination of
East and West shows in the fact that he trained for 9 years in classical Chinese bamboo flute
and also 7 years as a Western Counter-tenor
His musical career spans a good 19 years and is surprising for its constant freshness and
reinvention of a very distinctive style established bacl< in the 80s and refined and matured up
till the present day. It is a seamless, thoroughly integrated blend of Asian and Western,
traditional and modern, classical, pop and avant-garde, that always retains its primal beauty
through his distinctive and memorable melodies and his cutting harmonies.
Recording & TV : Mark has released 7 solo albums under various labels: Warner (WEA), Polygram, BMG,
Hori Productions (Japan) in styles ranging from pop/adult contemporary to world music
and Asian healing. The album China Blue (released by BMG) received very high accolades
and was chosen Best Song of the last 10 years in Singapore in ] 999.
IVIark has performed extensively as a solo artist on TV and the stage in Singapore, Hong
Kong and also Japan. He has also represented Singapore at various song festivals, entering
the finals in the first Voice of Asia Contest in 1994.
He has produced albums and songs for some of Asia's top pop stars: e.g. Tracy Huang and
Andy Lau. He has hosted two series of TV shows for Singapore TV - both immensely
popular, introducing the lost, funny and interesting aspects of Singaporean life; "Common
Threads" and "Retro Trek".
Theatre: His contribution to the development of theatre in Singapore and across Asia is one of his
most significant bodies of work. He was appointed Composer-in-residence at Theatreworks
for 10 years (1989-1999) and, in addition, has composed, directed and recorded music for
over 30 plays working with top directors, theatre companies and performers from Singapore
and the rest of the world (China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong)
The plays he has scored have been both in English, as well as in Chinese, Malay, Japanese
(see appendix).
Many of these theatre productions have toured internationally, e.g. Madam Mao's Memories
(Edinburgh Festival), 3 Children (Japan, Singapore, Malaysia), Lear (Japan, Hong
Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Germany, Denmark).
TV scoring: National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel, Singapore TV Japan - NHK.
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RECENT WORK:
5 years back, Mark decided to return to more classical/ "serious" contemporary music and
has created 4 ground-breaking major works over the past 3 years;
Ref/ections On War, Reflections On Peace - Photopoems
Commissioned by the Singapore Heritage Board for the permanent war
museum at Bul<lt Chandu. The 2 pieces are photopoems using a striking
combination of photographs, text and music to comment on both present
day reality and the fragility of peace and also looking back on the horrors and
bravery of the 2nd World War, with specific reference to Singapore.
Little Toys - Silent Film Scoring
Silent Film scoring (2003 Hong Kong Arts Festival & 2003 Singapore
Arts Festival - Main Programme Highlight In both festivals)
A co-commission from the Hong Kong and the Singapore Arts Festivals, it is
the first serious and full-scale scoring of a 1930s silent b/w film from China
ever created. Again, using Mark's trademark blend of Western and Chinese
classical instruments (cello, erhu, pipa, guanzi, piano, percussion) it has been
hailed a milestone In the moving forward of Asian music.
It opened to resounding response in Hong Kong and followed suit in Singapore
and also toured to Copenhagen in the same year Talks are now underway to
bring the production to Paris.
Email & Eternity
Commissioned by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, this unusual full-length
piece stretches the boundaries of the Chinese classical ensemble, taking the
analogy of modern air-travel and using that to reveal the hidden spirituality of
modern life. Strongly modal and mathematical in style, the music is never
overwhelmed by the intellectual aspects.
Talks are in progress with record companies about the release of the live
recording of this work.
OPIUME - A Modern Chamber Opera
(Co commissioned; Singapore Arts Festival 2004, Hong Kong New Vision
Arts Festival 2004 - Main programme highlight)
This modern chamber opera was Mark most ambitious work so far He was
responsible for both the libretto and the music and, together with Casey Lim,
was co-creator of the production.
Inspired by the events of the illicit opium trafficking that took place in China in
the 19th century, the opera is a modern view of not only what took place but
also a comment on how we live our lives now: the difficulties of cultural
interaction, the power play, the dangers and seduction of drug use and also
the harsh reality of economic trade and imbalance.
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Some quotes from reviews of Mark's work:
China Blue: "Chan's music breathes serenity and contemplation... it captures a feeling and
haunts with its melody. Integrating Chinese, iVIalay, Japanese and Western sounds,
Chan hits his mark effortlessly.... real World Music!"
Philip Cheah, BigO (Singapore's premier music magazine)
"His flaunting, sinuous compositions make the
difference between a cerebral abstract play and a
personal gut-level experience in the theatre."
Hannah Pandian,
theatre reviewer. Straits Times
The Other Actor: 'The Other Actor is an indication of
strong composing talent...It's a big
step forward for Southeast Asian
aesthetics."
8 Days Magazine
Travelling Under The Light Of The Full Moon : "Chan has perfected his wor ld of colliding sounds....pop transformed Into reflective,
inspirational music. . . It heals, it's singer-songwriter soul."
"For a long time now, we have wondered about the Singapore sound.... What is it that
makes it both local and international Chan's trilogy of albums (China Blue, Nature Boy
& Travelling Under The Light Of The Full Moon) achieves that through sheer feeling...."
Phil ip Cheah, BigO
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Dear Mr Chan, My husband and I have at tended many Arts Festival
performances-Cesaria Evora, the French National Orchestra,
the Hagen Quartet, Yundi Li-and as much as we thought we
would LIKE Little Toys, we did not expect it to so thoroughly
trounce, in our opinion, all of the other performances we
had attended. The film itself was a revelation, and your music
was sublime. With my most sincere appreciation.
Jacqueline Deley
"Mark is an exceptionally talented Singaporean, I have long admired his
songwriting skills, his singing and, more recently, his compositions for
the Chinese flute."
Professor Tommy Koh, Chairman, Singapore National Arts Council
"Mark's music fuses a variety of influences into one brilliant and expressive voice,
rich with lyrical beauty. The score he wrote for my plays displays a mastery of
theatrical technique, and also stands as engaging listening all on its own. Mr
Chan is undoubtedly one of the emerging talents on the world music scene. "
David Hwang, playwright of M Butterfly
Pho
tos:
Hon
g K
ong A
rts
Fes
tival
200
3
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Appendix
Mark Chan - Theatre Music director and Composer for these productions
DAVID HWANG DOUBLE BILL Theatreworks, Feb 1990 Directed by Ong Keng Sen
A N D THE FUNNY OLD TREE Directed by Koh Pau Kun
TRIP TO THE SOUTH Theatreworks, Written by Filipino Playwright Tony Perez, Aug 1991 directed by Nonon Padilla (Philippines)
THE DAY 1 MET THE PRINCE Practice Performing Arts, First run in July 1989, touring Singapore schools every year for the past seven years, represented Singapore at the Cairo International Festival in Sep 93
OZONE Written by Indonesian playwright & director Arifin Noer, produced by Theatreworks in Nov 1991, directed by Arifin Noer
MADAM MAO'S MEMORIES Theatreworks, directed by Ong Keng Sen, first run 1991, Re-run in 1992, And then in the 92 Edinburgh Festival of Arts
PRIVATE PARTS Theatreworks, Singapore Arts Festival 1992, directed by Ong Keng Sen
LAO JIU Theatreworks, first run April 93, 2nd run in 94 in Singapore and at the Perth Festival of Arts, 3rd run in Singapore in 1997, written by Koh Pau Kun
MERGERS & ACCUSATIONS Theatreworks, July 1993, directed by Rani Moorthy & Ong Keng Sen
UNDER THE BED Theatreworks and One Yellow Rabbit (Canada), Dance-Drama directed by Denise Clarke & Blake Brooker, 1993
SCORPION ORCHID Theatreworks, for 1994 Singapore Arts Festival, directed by Krishen Jit (Malaysia)
THE GYPSIES Theatreworks, 1987, Directed by William Teo
THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE Practice Performing Arts, December 1987, directed by Koh Pau Kun
MEDEA Asia in Theatre Research Circus April 1988, directed by William Teo
THREE CHILDREN Theatreworks, 1988 Directed by Ong Keng Sen & Krishen Jit, rerun in 1992 in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur Tokyo and Yokohama
THE ROBBERS FROM NUTMET T O W N A Children's musical in Mandarin, Practice Performing Arts, Nov 1988, Directed by Lin Renyu, Re-run Aug 1993, 2nd re-run 1998
MOTHER COURAGE Asia in Theatre Research Circus May 1989, directed by William Teo
GRAVEYARD SHIFT Action Theatre, August 1989 Directed by Ekerchai
TRINE Action Theatre, First run June 1990 Re-run October 1990
THE SILLY LITTLE GIRL Practice Performing Arts, Sep 1990
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THE FLOATING WORLD Black Swan Theatre (Perth Australia) & State Theatre of South Australia, for 1995 Festival of Perth, toured Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane the same year Directed by Andrew Ross
ASIAN PERFORMERS WORKSHOP 1
Theatreworks & Japan Foundation Nov - Dec 1997, participants: traditional master musicians and composers from Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, China and Singapore
LEAR Japan Foundation & Theatreworks, (music director and joint composer and performer) Pan-Asian reworking of Shakespeare's play, with performers from China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, directed by Ong Keng Sen, premiered in Tokyo, toured Osaka and Fukuoka in Dec 97 - Jan 98. Toured Hong Kong, Djakarta, Singapore and Perth in January/February 1999. Teater der Welt in Berlin and Summer Theatre Festival in Copenhagen in June/July 1999.
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION Theatreworks, February 1998, directed by Nora Samosir
KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN Singapore Repertory Theatre, directed by Tony Petito, February 1998
ART Singapore Repertory Theatre, directed by Ivan Heng, Sep - Oct 1998, Singapore Premier
M BUTTERFLY Singapore Repertory Theatre, directed by Tony Petito, April 1999.
HAUNTED - the Musical Lyrics & Music: Mark Chan Playwright: Ovidia Yu Directed by Casey Lim Produced by Theatreworks Singapore Premier: July/August 1999.
A PERFECT GANESH Singapore Repertory Theatre January 2000
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I don't believe I am so different from other people.
It is, therefore, a constant hope that sharing my music fills other people's deep needs
And longing and inner space too. And that it is enjoyable.
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With support from
NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL SINGAPORE
Mark Chan Singapore:
9 Taman Serasi #04-09 Singapore 257720 Tel: +65 96600788
Paris: 31 Rue du Repos
Paris 75020 France
Tel: +33 6 12030045 +33 I 43728048
[email protected] [email protected] www.markchan.com
Singapore Administrator for Mark Chan:
Jeremiah Choy Orangedot Productions Pte Ltd
24 Hooper Road Singapore 229201 Tel: +65 65344828
Email: [email protected]
All Rights Reserved. Copyright © Mark Chan 2006. Materials included in this portfolio are for demonstration only.
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Mark Chan Singapore:
9 Taman Serasi #04-09 Singapore 257720 Tel: +65 96600788
Paris: 31 Rue du Repos
Parrs 75020 France
Tel:+33 6 12030045 +33 1 43728048
[email protected] [email protected]
vwvw.markchan.com
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M A R K C H A N Sampler of Previous Albums &
Other Work
Music/Lyrics/Production: Mark Chan
copyright Mark Chan 2006, sample only, no unauthorized duplication, public performance or sale
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