Victoria Memorial Hall 1930

The long running Young Virtuoso Recital Series has been a notable showcase of Singapore’s brightest young pianists over the years. The upcoming installment of the series will take a step further by featuring, for the first time, a non-pianist: cellist Loke Hoe Kit. Hoe Kit has been described by the Straits Times as ‘probably the most visible local cellist to emerge’ from his generation. He studied at the Mannes College of Music, New York, and is a protégé of esteemed American cellist Nathaniel Rosen (himself a protégé of the legendary Piatigorsky). As soloist, Hoe Kit has made appearances across Asia and the USA.

Pianist Khor Shang Jin and organist Joanna Paul will accompany Hoe Kit in this recital, which pays tribute to the evening’s venue, Victoria Memorial Hall (VMH). VMH is Singapore’s premiere historic concert venue; much of its fascinating history has however been forgotten today. 1930 was the year VMH started serving as a concert hall. Many of the world’s greatest musical legends, from Arthur Rubinstein to Benjamin Britten, have performed there since. In 1980, following a refurbishment, VMH’s auditorium was named Victoria Concert Hall. 

Hoe Kit’s recital will feature works drawn from the programmes played at VMH over the years by such cello legends as Gregor Piatigorsky, Emanuel Feuermann and Gaspar Cassadó. In addition, history will be made with the Singapore premiere of Marcel Dupré’s Sonata for Cello and Organ; this will be a rare occasion where organ accompaniment is utilised in a solo string recital in Singapore.