Transcript of interview with Loh Zhihong (conducted by Gavin Lee), 3 October 2016, 5.30pm, Central National Library
Zhihong is an A-levels economics tutor with extensive knowledge of Western classical music and great affinity for both English and Chinese languages. He holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Yale University and formerly worked at Victoria Junior College and Raffles Junior College. Zhihong does not think that any music represents his identity. He sees it more as a form of entertainment or a way to help him relax. Zhihong listens to Chinese and English pop rock music or Western classical music depending on his mood. He likes pop-rock artistes such as Beyonce, Rihanna, A-mei, and Faye Wong. Zhihong likes classical composers such as Bach and Beethoven. Zhihong thinks that Chinese pop rock resonates with him more than English pop rock as it is his mother tongue. He finds that Chinese pop rock lyrics is written in a more poetic and nuanced manner which emotionally engages him. Zhihong thinks that he has the most knowledge about classical music genre compared with other genres as he had musical training in it. Zhihong thinks that pop rock appeals to people because it is direct, raw and easy to understand. In the case of classical music, he thinks that one needs some musical education in order to fully appreciate the music and its technicalities, and this knowledge enhances one’s overall experience of the music. Zhihong thinks that while young Singaporeans might be more educated and exposed to Western classical music (through their school or their parents), he thinks that since pop music and culture is everywhere, young Singaporeans will always prefer it over classical music. As for Singaporean music, Zhihong thinks that while some themes in music like friendship and love are universal, Singaporeans need to come up with something that can better represent them. He thinks that Kit Chan’s Home (1998) is a good example as it is successful because of its melodic appeal and poignancy. Zhihong thinks that in order to grow local music, Singaporeans have to impart on the youths that Singaporean music is good and not always inferior. He thinks that Singaporeans need to be confident in their capabilities and talent, and show the young that the local arts scene has much to offer. Zhihong does not think that traditional Chinese music represents Singaporeans because it does not resonate with people. This is because the music was brought over from China. He thinks that Chinese opera represents Singaporeans better as it was developed locally. Zhihong thinks that people need to move on from categorizing music and look at it in a more generic manner in order to encourage cross-pollination of musical ideas across genres.
“What are my favorite recordings? I like the Beethoven sonatas, I like Bach’s choral music, and I like Bach’s piano music.”
“Personally, I don’t think too much about what the music represents [in terms of my personal identity]. As long as it aesthetically appeals to me, I think it’s served its purpose of entertainment, and given me some sense of relaxation. But I don’t think too much about the cerebral aspect of what it represents.”
“The growing prevalence of pop culture means that it is more pervasive, and probably appeals more to the kids these days. And so probably looking forward, I think more and more kids will be aware of it. When it comes to their choice of music for entertainment, probably pop music will win out somewhat.”
“But I think classical music is probably a bit deeper than pop music. It also depends on why you listen to music in the first place. I think for most people, if it’s a matter of just escapism and getting your mind off things, then pop music definitely appeals far more than classical.”
“Even if you don’t have musical training, I think Beethoven’s [Symphony] No. 5 (1804) still gives you some level of entertainment: it’s still a rewarding experience listening to it simply because of its dramatic aspects. But if you know a little bit more, it’s more than just sounds –there’s also something intellectual behind it.”
“I think Chinese music represents a little bit more [of myself] because of my affinity with the language. Probably touches me a little bit more than English pop music, especially when the lyrics are written in a more poetic or nuanced manner. That kind of nuance – I can appreciate it a little bit more.”
“I think Chinese pop to me is still a bit more subtle than Rihanna or Beyonce, which sometimes could be driven by certain rhythmic patterns that can be quite desensitizing, but yet appealing at the same time. Just talking about the level of emotional engagement I have with the music, it’s probably Chinese pop, and to a certain extent, classical music.”
“I think it’s time that [Singaporeans] come up with something on our own, and not be swayed too much by whatever is going around, trying too hard to be like the rest of the world.”
“I think Chen Jieyi’s Home (1998) is really, really successful in its melodic appeal with poignancy. Regarding the official idea of giving Singaporeans a sense of nationhood, the song is not too in-your-face. I think that is really, really well done. But for the rest of the songs, I think they’re less successful.”
“I think we should have the confidence to say that we are capable and there’s nothing bad about local stuff. And try and have the confidence to say that Western stuff is not always better. I think we need to educate [young people] and say that local people and local arts scene have stuff to offer.”
“I mean [Chinese orchestra] music is probably composed in China, right? And even though we’re Chinese, I think there’s still a difference, right? It doesn’t represent us as Singaporean Chinese. It’s probably something that we brought over from China.”
“I think that there’s also a possibility where we put aside our differences, and look at the music in a more generic manner, where there might be some degree of cross-pollination of musical ideas across genres. I think that’s probably the way to go. And from there, we’ll probably have more creativity involved that transcends these different categories of music.”
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