IN THE NEWS
YOUNG COMPOSERS AND INDIAN BAMBOO FLUTES SHINE
25 March 2024
[...] guest performer Samuel Phua's mellow saxophone blended seamlessly into the en-semble. The music's complex and ever-changing meters were comfortably negotiated,"
CONCERT REVIEW: SAXOPHONIST SAMUEL PHUA SHOWCASES TECHNICAL PROWESS IN SINGAPORE-HEAVY PROGRAMME
1 December 2023
"When it comes to classical saxophone in Singapore, one name invariably comes to mind: Samuel Phua.[...]
His recital partnered by pianist Mervyn Lee was an impressive showcase of technical prowess and repertoire he has inspired."
27 October 2022
"Long may Samuel Phua, the one-man sax maniac, continue to champion the saxophone, inspiring new works and further enriching Singapore’s burgeoning musical scene."
THE DRIVE HOME WITH KHIM OEI
SAMUEL PHUA AND FRIENDS : RHAPSODIC STORIES CONCERT
18 October 2022
9 October 2022
"The saxophone is such a versatile and virtuosic instrument with a distinctly unique timbre. I find that it can be incredibly complimentary to an orchestra, but also very soloistic when necessary. We can see this reflected beautifully in works like Ravel’s Boléro and Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, and also orchestral works by prolific Singaporean composers – Dr. Goh’s Iridescence and Dr. Kelly Tang’s “Montage” for jazz trio and symphony orchestra are just two examples of such works."
10 October 2022
“我认为自己的使命就是挖掘被尘封的经典作品，并为同时代的作曲家发声。”潘培铭说：“在贝多芬时代，几乎每场音乐会都有首演的新作品。音乐需要这样的氛围才能不断发展，作曲家更需要这样的机会，为自己写在纸面上的音符注入生命。”
13 Oct 2022
"Classical saxophonist Samuel Phua has achieved quite a lot for a musician who is only 25. So do not begrudge him the time he spends on yoga and pilates."
CATCH US IF YOU CAN
27 Nov 2021 6:30pm and 8:30pm
Join Samuel Phua and Jonathan Shin at Catch Us If You Can, featuring works by , Ng Yu Hng, Tan Chan Boon Jon Lin Chua, Jonathan Shin and John Williams
8,9,15 and 16 September 2021
Join young saxophone extraordinaire Samuel Phua as he brings you on an exploratory adventure into the euphonious world of the saxophone and the mysteries of composition. Samuel will share his unabashed passion for saxophones, demystifying the enigmatic instrument with a showcase of his favourite tunes. Catch Samuel on 8 Sep at 8pm on SSO's Facebook page. Samuel will also sit with Singaporean composers to discuss the art of music writing, diving into some of their pieces with their insights. Be ready to hear from composers such as Jonathan Shin, Chen Zhangyi, Terrence Wong, Syafiqah 'Adha Sallehin, and Zechariah Goh, to learn their thoughts and inspirations behind pieces such as Life by the River and The Malay Wedding. Tune in to SSO's Facebook page on 9, 15 & 16 Sep to hear their stories.
19 September 2021 3pm and 8pm
Exhilarated to perform the world premiere of 'Fortitude' by Terrence Wong!
"This programme is commissioned by the National Arts Council for Silver Arts 2021. Enjoy multilingual and multicultural performances, interactive exhibitions, and activities with your loved ones live in person or online! Visit https://nac.gov.sg/silverarts to find out more."
24 August 2021
"A shining example is saxophonist Samuel Phua, recent graduate from Finland’s Sibelius Academy, who performed the Saxophone Concerto of Russian composer Alexander Glazunov with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO), led by music director Hans Graf.
Not only did Phua have the requisite expertise to overcome the single-movement work’s technical hurdles, his alto saxophone’s creamy, smooth tone also oozed charm and seductiveness.
Whether in lyrical passages or young composer Jonathan Shin’s tricky cadenza specially written for this performance, Phua was spot on in his execution.
As if further proof of prowess were needed, the encore of George Gershwin’s Promenade, arranged by SSO librarian Avik Chari, was stylish swagger
personified."
19 and 20 August 2021
Young Singaporean saxophone extraordinaire Samuel Phua stars in Glazunov’s evocative Saxophone Concerto, a 1934 masterwork that has since become a staple of the instrument’s repertoire. SSO Chief Conductor Hans Graf directs this tuneful evening of modern and Mozartian inspiration.
Do book your tickets from:
https://www.sso.org.sg/orchestra-season/night-of-the-saxophone
16 Nov 2015
“Samuel Phua's dusky tone on sax was a revelation as was Joyce Poh's dizi in Bernard Tan's Keroncong, a cheerful dance that combined Chinese and Malay influences with the Western rondo form...”
https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/fun-way-to-discover-singapore
2020
9 Jan 2020
Primary Languages is a Master's study project uniting 9 music students coming from 5 countries. This performance is focused on an unknown repertoire highly demanding. Based on composers working on different shapes of the language, the performers explore the links between the musical language and the speaking language. The very rarely played piece Yamaon by Giacinto Scelsi will be performed for the first time in Finland. Composed in 1958, Yamaon was premiered thirty years later, as the first performance after Scelsi died. Scelsi used the very first language of the very first city of the humanity (Ur) [...]
http://www.scelsi.it/it/evento/primary-languages-concert-1/
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11 AUG 2019,
Better with every listen, the work also afforded dazzling improvisations for Christy Smith (bass) and Tamagoh (drum), and a plum solo for young saxophonist Samuel Phua.
19 Dec 2019
Winter´s tale- konsertti.
Huippumuusikot esittävät musiikkia Omakase tyyliin.
Konsertin talvinen sisältö selviää yleisölle vasta esityksen alussa.
Esityksen kesto noin 50 minuuttia.
Kiku Hämäläinen Piano
Joona Uusitalo Piano
Samuel Phua Saxofoni
Lee Jo-Shan Huilu
https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/fi/tapahtumakalenteri/tapahtuma/?id=helmet:200701
1 Jan 2018
" Three of Singapore's top young wind talents came under the spotlight, beginning with saxophonist Samuel Phua in Ralph Hermann's Tosca Fantasy, which recycles popular arias from Puccini's opera.
Playing alto saxophone, his smooth and creamy tone relived tenor and soprano moments in soaring melodies such as Recondita Armonia, Vissi D'Arte and E Lucevan Le Stelle.
[...]
Like him, Phua and Kang also had encores, which they nailed with fearless aplomb."
https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/musical-magic-on-the-fifth-day-of-christmas
23 Nov 2017
"[...]while alumni Lin Xiangning, Samuel Phua, Shurthi Nair, Iswarya Jayakumar and Amni Musfirah took time out of their busy schedules to perform for a meaningful cause.
https://www.sota.edu.sg/news/campus-buzz/school-events/2017/11/23/sunburst-fundraising-concert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKv0SpkF4UQ
1 Nov 2019
We are always happy to have our alumni back at SOTA. In July, we welcomed back Samuel Phua and Lin Xiangning (Music, 2015) for an evening summer recital and pre-show talk at the SOTA Orchestral Rehearsal Studio. With Samuel on the saxophone, and Xiangning on the piano, guests were treated to an evening of Christian Lauba's Jungle and Fernade Decruck's Sonata in C#, among other works.
https://www.sota.edu.sg/news/achievements/alumni-achievements/2019/10/31/a-summer-recital
25 July 2017
Samuel will commence his studies in classical saxophone performance at the Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki, after serving the nation. He hopes to teach the saxophone in future and to be part of interdisciplinary collaborations. Samuel also wants be a champion for home-grown contemporary classical saxophone music.
27 April 2015
"Hijinks were the order of the day in two movements from Escapades from Catch Me If You Can, complete with orchestra members snapping their fingers. Saxophonist Samuel Phua, wearing a black Rat-Pack hat, was the soloist in “Closing In” and “Joy Ride.” Cool was called for, and Phua, belying his tender years (b.1997), offered smooth, confident playing backed up by string bass and the vibraphone."
-Rick Perdian
https://seenandheard-international.com/2015/04/the-music-and-magic-of-john-williams/
25 April 2015
“Young saxophonist Samuel Phua joined the orchestra in Escapades from Catch Me If You Can (2002), teaming up with bassist Guennadi Mouzyka and Mark Suter on the vibraphones in a jazz trio section and transporting the audience back to a smoky jazz bar in 1960's Chicago.”
8 MAR 2015
“The first movement was in sonata form, contrasted by the slow movement's interlude, with Samuel Phua's sensuous soprano saxophone solo replacing the original erhu.”
JUL 25 2014
“The star of the evening was 16-year-old saxophonist Samuel Phua, currently a student at the School of the Arts and the first wind player featured in this annual concert. Exuding confidence from the moment he stepped on stage, his calm persona served him well in Jacques Ibert's Concertino da Camera and John Williams' Escapades from the movie Catch Me If You Can (2002).
It wasn't just his immaculate control of his instrument that struck one most. The way he was completely involved in the music-making, leading and shaping phrases, prompted a response from the orchestra that is missing in performances far too often, and it was a pleasure seeing both soloist and orchestra communicating with each other fervently.
His lush tone was of the highest quality and he handled the trickier passages faultlessly and with ease.”
23 July 2014
https://www.sota.edu.sg/docs/default-source/news/2014jul23_zb_16-yr-old-student-passionate-abt-saxophone.pdf?sfvrsn=2
13 April 2014
Year 5 IBCC Music student Samuel Phua was selected to perform as soloist with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) at the President’s Young Performers Concert on 24 and 25 July. He earned the distinction of being the first saxophonist to perform with the SSO on the President’s Young Performers Concert platform.
https://www.sota.edu.sg/news/achievements/student-achievements/2013-2014/2014/04/13/president-s-young-performers-concert-2014
22 May 2014
"Yet Samuel Phua Peh Ming, 17, stands out at Singapore's School of The Arts (Sota), as the only saxophonist in the school's population and now he is on the threshold of a major change."
CONCERTI I SOLISTI II
SOTA MUSIC STUDENTS WITH
ORCHESTRA OF THE MUSIC MAKERS
SCHOOL OF THE ARTS CONCERT HALL
FRIDAY
2 Aug 2013
"A smaller band was left on stage to accompany SOTA student Samuel Phua in Jacques Ibert’s Concertino da Camera for saxophone and chamber orchestra. For times, there was a risk that even the pared down forces would overwhelm the soloist, but the young man was a portrait of confidence itself. He projected a big sound throughout, trading the orchestra blow for blow, and never coming out in second place. The second movement was a dreamy nocturne-like interlude leading into an unbuttoned finale, and it was clear he was fully enjoying himself in its jazzy insouciant swagger."
http://pianofortephilia.blogspot.com/2013/08/concerti-i-solisti-ii-school-of-arts.html