SSO Gala: Mischa Maisky and Han-Na Chang
Featuring: Mischa Maisky
Instrument: Cello
Venue: Victoria Concert Hall
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2023 7:30 PM
My family often watches the YouTube video of Mischa Maisky performing Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto in A minor. It’s one of my mum’s favourite pieces, and my younger brother, who plays the cello, has always deeply admired Maisky. So when we found out he would be performing live in Singapore, we booked tickets immediately.
From the moment he entered, there was something intense but unforced about his presence. His tone was rich and unmistakable, full of weight and emotion. Even though I already knew every phrase from listening so often at home, hearing them live, with his phrasing, his spontaneity, and the energy between soloist and orchestra — made the concerto feel alive in a new way.
The concert opened with Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll, played by the orchestra under conductor Han-Na Chang. It was my first time hearing the piece live, and it felt like a gentle unfolding — warm, lyrical, and full of quiet detail. The strings had a soft glow, and the balance between instruments was beautifully shaped. I knew Han-Na Chang had been a cellist herself before becoming a conductor, and I felt like that background came through in how carefully she drew out the long lines in the strings.
After intermission, the orchestra performed Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 in C major, known as the “Jupiter”. The final movement, with its overlapping counterpoint, was especially exciting to watch. The clarity of the playing allowed every entry to shine through, and Han-Na Chang conducted with precision and poise.
My brother and mum getting an autograph from Mischa Maisky
But the most unforgettable part of the night came after the concert. We had arrived early at VCH to queue for autograph wristbands, just in case there was a large crowd, and I’m so glad we did. When it was finally our turn, my brother handed Mischa Maisky his programme booklet. Maisky smiled and signed it without saying much, but the moment felt huge. Meeting a cello legend in person - someone we had watched on screen so many times was surreal. I’ll never forget how happy my brother looked.
Maisky’s encore was Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, and it was nothing like I expected. He exaggerated the phrasing in ways that made every line feel newly discovered. Some notes stretched longer than usual, some moved quickly with sharp articulation — but somehow, it all worked. His version was bold, romantic, and completely his own. It reminded me that even with something as well-known as Bach, there’s still room for personality, interpretation, and imagination.
