What does an artist leave behind? A final work is rarely just an ending; it can be a summation, a question, or the beginning of another conversation. In this evening, we explore how artistic voices become interwoven across time, as composers’ final reflections continue to speak long after they were first heard.
Aaron Copland’s Night Thoughts, one of the composer’s final works, opens the evening in a world of introspection and quiet contemplation in homage to fellow American composer Charles Ives. This follows with Ruth Crawford Seeger’s Suite for Woodwind Quintet, her penultimate composition before her death, revealing the inventive spirit of one of America’s most original modernist voices. At the heart of the programme is Alban Berg’s Violin Concerto, his final completed orchestral work, written in memory of Manon Gropius and dedicated to “the memory of an angel”—a work that transforms grief into profound beauty.
Presented by the YST Orchestral Institute under the baton of Principal Conductor Jason Lai, and featuring YST Head of Strings Professor Qian Zhou on violin, Associate Professor Ning An on piano, guest musicians Gaolat Quintet and narrator Joseph N. Straus, Last Words offers a rare opportunity to experience these deeply personal final statements in one single evening.
Presented as part of Performers(‘) Present 2026: Interweaving.
PROGRAMME
AARON COPLAND
Night Thoughts (Homage to Ives)
NING AN, piano
RUTH CRAWFORD SEEGER
Suite for Woodwind Quintet
GAOLAT QUINTET:
RACHEL HO, flute
GRACE TAN, oboe
STEPHANIE TAN, clarinet
KEE RUIHAN, bassoon
XAVIER TAN, horn
ALBAN BERG
Violin Concerto
QIAN ZHOU, violin
YST ORCHESTRAL INSTITUTE
with
JASON LAI, conductor
TICKETING INFORMATION
Tickets at $26 via yst.eventbrite.com
Patrons without valid tickets will not be allowed entry. Out of respect for all patrons, late admission will only be allowed at suitable intervals. No children under 6 years of age will be allowed admission. Food and drinks are not allowed inside the venue.
No refunds, exchanges, or cancellations will be accepted for inability to attend, change of plans, or failure to show up on the day of the event/session.
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ACCESSIBILITY
YST offers step-free access from the street to all venues within the building. Accessible seating arrangements can be made for patrons with access needs. If you require more information about our facilities or wish to book accessible seats, please contact muscomms@nus.edu.sg