YPAW 62: Mervin Beng - Objectivity vs Subjectivity in Music Review, Origin of Resound Collective, Breaking Grounds in Concert Presentation with Technology and The Idea behind Music Patronage

You Play A What?

This week I am joined by Mervin Beng, Chairman of Resound Collective, an arts charity organization that promotes chamber music in all its glory. Mervin wears many hats, apart from his role with Resound Collective, he is a music reviewer with The Straits Times, involved previously with music organizations driven by educating young aspiring musicians such as the Singapore National Youth Orchestra and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.

With his professional expertise in technology coupled with his deep passion for music, saw the creation of 2 ground breaking projects entitled re:Sound is Live and Concordia Quartet @ Home. Both projects were performed in real time remotely, where musicians are playing from their respective homes or separate rooms. Distanced but at the same time maintaining the spontaneous element of music making.

In this episode, we spoke about:

1. How he navigates objectivity vs subjectivity in writing music reviews.

2. The origin story of Resound Collective.

3. The challenge of introducing chamber works to the wider audience.
4. His musical journey.

5. How Music Camps/Festivals has allowed him to open his eyes to a higher level of music making.

6. Breaking new grounds at the height of the Circuit Breaker.
7. How his expertise in technology and music inspired creative ways of concert presentation.

8. Music patronage and the recent creation of the OKK Wind Prize at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.

Do check out Concordia Quartet's upcoming concert "Soaring with the Wind" HERE, featuring the works of Mozart and Greig.
Tickets are available for puchase in HERE

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!