Jacob de Haan

Singapore Rhapsody

Singapore Rhapsody is an exciting work in two movements based on popular Malaysian folksongs. The songs that occur in the first movement are Rasa Sayang eh (a love song), Gelang Sipaku Gelang (a song about community spirit), Suriram (a song about a girl proclaiming her virtues) and Di-Tanjung Katong (a love song that takes place at the Cape Katong on the southeast coast of Singapore). The second movement features Lenggang Kangkung, which literally means 'The swaying of the watercress, ' Katang Lompat (a moralistic song about the symbolism of the frog) and finally Kenek kenek-lah Udang (a wedding song). Each movement of this enchanting work can be performed separately but a complete performance will be the crowning moment of any concert.