05/04/2026

ON SUNDAY April 5, 2026 theSunday Special IX

Bright new talents One of the most moving aspects of Ca maraderie was the inclusion of younger performers stepping into prominent roles. Principal percussionist Jimmy Ch’ng shared the stage with his daughter Emi in a gentle duet that marked her professional debut. Their performance unfolded as a TXLHW H[FKDQJH JXLGHG E\ WUXVW UDWKHU than spectacle. Emerging performer Siew Yanhou brought focused intensity to Taiko’s Duel, performing alongside senior drummers in a demanding and physically charged SLHFH .DPDUXO %DLTXQL ELQ .DPDUXO Baisah also stood out in Kencang Kenanga and Camaraderie, contributing youthful energy and instinctive rhythm to the ensemble. T RJHWKHU WKHVH SHUIRUPDQFHV UHÀHFWHG one of the concert’s central ideas: Con tinuity through shared experience and mentorship. A highlight of the evening was Chao Ge Gu Ying, a work inspired by Teochew heri tage and reimagined for the contemporary stage. Combining strong visual elements, choreographed drumming and cultural symbolism, the piece examined ancestral memory through a modern lens. Composed by I Wayan Sudirana (Sudi), a Balinese composer and long-time col laborator of HANDS, the work drew on his extensive background in traditional gamelan and contemporary composition. His international career includes com missions for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and performances at major venues such as Carnegie Hall. I Q &KDR *H *X

The musical camaraderie

M USIC has long been a shared human language. Across cultures and generations, it accompa nies moments of joy, loss DQG UHÀHFWLRQ TXLHWO\ VKDSLQJ PHPRU\ and identity. It is also a living record of heritage, carrying traces of those who came before us. For local contemporary percussion ensemble HANDS Percussion, music serves another essential purpose: Bringing people together. This idea was at the heart of their recent concert, Camaraderie. Founded in 1997, HANDS Percussion KDV EHFRPH D GH¿QLQJ SUHVHQFH LQ 0DOD\ - sia’s contemporary arts scene. Known for its energetic performances, cross-cultural collaborations and commitment to artistic exploration, the ensemble bridges tradi tion and modernity through rhythm and movement. From its roots in the 24 Fes tive Drums movement to appearances at international festivals, HANDS continues to develop a distinctive voice grounded in collaboration and cultural exchange. C DPDUDGHULH UHÀHFWHG WKLV SKLORVRSK\ by focusing on human relationships as the foundation of creativity. The production explored connections that shape artistic journeys: The trust between teacher and student, the under standing between long-time collaborators, the bonds within families and the respect that grows through years of shared work. These unseen relationships informed every rhythm, gesture and musical dia logue on stage. BY HANNEF ESQUANDER

Camaraderie is a mix of reimagined signature works and new compositions, each revisited through fresh perspectives and collaborations.

riched by live contemporary instrumenta tion, electronic textures and cross-cultural sound elements, adding new depth to their original structures. Two compositions by Teuku Umar Ilany, Kencang Kenanga and Camaraderie, of IHUHG D TXLHWHU EXW HTXDOO\ UHVRQDQW H[SOR ration of memory and connection through gamelan. Performed by HANDS drummers alongside young musicians and DeafBeat, whose collaboration with HANDS began 17 years ago, the works reminded audiences that rhythm can be experienced not only through sound but also through vibration and shared presence.

The programme featured a mix of reimagined signature works and new compositions, each revisited through fresh perspectives and collaborations. While long-time audiences may have recognised familiar musical motifs, the pieces were not presented as nostalgic reprises. Instead, they carried the weight of experience alongside the openness of new voices. Several works returned in expanded forms, including Rhythm Ride, Rhythm Within, Flowers Thrusting and Taiko’s Duel. With the addition of the Irama Tanah Air (ITA) Ensemble, these pieces were en

Kamarul shines in his performance of Kencang Kenanga, contributing youthful energy to the ensemble.