Key Moments
What Happens When Classical Music Breaks Its Rules? | Say Ming Foo | TEDxSingapore
TEDKey Moments
Classical music is being redefined by re:mix, a group that blends traditional pieces with pop, rock, and local music, making it more accessible and engaging for modern audiences.
Key Insights
re:mix was founded in 2006 with the goal of transforming classical music to mold with popular culture and become contemporary relevant.
The ensemble has performed Baroque twists on The Beatles, brought Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' to the concert hall, and transformed Beethoven's Fifth Symphony into a samba.
An arrangement of the Chinese song 'Tian Mi Mi' (also known as 'The Moon Represents My Heart') by Kelly Tang was given a meditative and tender take by re:mix.
re:mix commissioned a P. Ramly suite from Julian Wong for a sold-out show, which was later expanded into a 16-show run with a theatrical production.
The arrangement of the Chinese song 'Tian Mi Mi' features unique instrumental techniques and a subtle nod to Dr. Kelly Tang's favorite cartoon character.
re:mix aims to make no distinction between popular and classical music, seeking to bridge the divide and foster new ways of thinking.
Challenging perceptions of classical music
Classical music is often narrowly defined as Western art music, associated with terms like 'cultivated,' 'canonic,' or 'religious.' From a contemporary popular culture perspective, it's frequently dismissed as 'boring' or 'music for the elite.' Foo Say Ming, director of re:mix, addresses these stereotypes head-on. His group, a petite ensemble of classically trained musicians, aims to break free from these pigeonholes. They believe music has the power to transform and be transformed, adapting to popular culture to resonate with modern audiences. This mission to make classical music relevant and engaging drives their innovative approach.
Early experiments in musical fusion
Since its inception in 2006, re:mix has actively sought out collaborations with like-minded composers and artists from various disciplines. These early explorations led to daring reinterpretations of well-known works. They infused the music of The Beatles with a Baroque twist, bringing the energy of rock anthems like Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' into the formal concert hall setting. Conversely, they took a cornerstone of classical repertoire, Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, and reimagined it through the vibrant rhythm of samba, thanks to a transcription by the late Iscanda Ishmael. These ambitious projects demonstrated their commitment to pushing boundaries early on.
Local flavors meet classical structures
re:mix also dedicated itself to bringing local and familiar musical traditions into their repertoire. They explored music from Chinese films, including iconic pieces like 'Tian Mi Mi' (often known by its Indonesian title 'Daung San') and 'Who Is Smiling'). These selections not only connected with audiences on a more personal level but also showcased the ensemble's versatility. The arrangement of 'Tian Mi Mi' presented at the TEDx event was particularly noteworthy. Commissioned from Dr. Kelly Tang, a recipient of the Singapore Culture Medallion, the piece was described as 'meditative and tender,' inviting listeners to imagine serene landscapes while subtly hinting at a Mara symphony. This approach integrated local cultural relevance with classical arrangement sensibilities.
Revitalizing legacy through theatrical collaboration
A significant project for re:mix was the commission of a P. Ramly suite in 2018 from Julian Wong, a recipient of the Young Artist Award. The premiere was a resounding success, selling out at the Esplanade Recital Studio. Wong even provided a lecture on his techniques, demystifying the arrangement process for the audience. The evolution of this suite continued in 2025 when re:mix partnered with Wild Rice, a prominent local theater company. This collaboration resulted in a 16-show run where the P. Ramly suite was integrated into a theatrical production. Featuring old footage, an actor portraying P. Ramly engaging in dialogue with the arranger, and the intimate setting of the theater, the production was lauded as engaging, accessible, and deeply moving. This exemplifies the magic that occurs when dramatic arts and music powerfully combine to honor and reinterpret artistic legacies.
An excerpt from the P. Ramly suite
The performance included an excerpt from the P. Ramly suite, featuring two of his most beloved tunes: 'Taran Jiawa' ('Vibrations of the Soul') and 'Tunggu Sekejap' ('Wait a while'). The latter's romantic lyric, 'Wait a while and remain in my embrace,' was highlighted, especially when juxtaposed with the context of P. Ramly's explanation that it was 'raining outside.' This brief selection showcased re:mix's ability to capture both the emotional depth and the popular appeal of these classic Malay songs within their refined arrangements.
Further exploration of 'Tian Mi Mi'
The performance concluded with another piece, the Chinese song 'Tian Mi Mi.' The lyrics, paying homage to Chinese migrants seeking a better life in Southeast Asia, were particularly poignant. The arrangement, again by Dr. Kelly Tang, invited the audience to observe the musicians' innovative use of their instruments without bows, adding a unique texture to the performance. A playful element was also introduced, with an invitation to guess Dr. Tang's favorite cartoon character, hinting at subtle inspirations within the arrangement, demonstrating the lighter and more whimsical side of their artistic exploration.
Blurring the lines between genres
Foo Say Ming concludes by reiterating re:mix's core philosophy: dissolving the distinctions between popular and classical music. They believe that classical music has sometimes taken itself too seriously, and their aim is to foster a space where genre is not a barrier. By engaging with popular culture and holding onto the high artistic standards of both genres, they seek to forge new ways of thinking about music. Their hope is not just to bridge the divide but to see it disappear entirely, creating a more inclusive and dynamic musical landscape.
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Common Questions
Classical music is often perceived as art music from the Western world, associated with terms like cultivated, canonic, or religious music. In popular culture, it's sometimes dismissed as boring or elitist.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
Their music was explored by Remix with a Baroque twist, demonstrating genre fusion.
Their song 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was brought into the concert hall by Remix.
The theater company whose founding director, Ivan Heng, collaborated with Remix and Julian Wong on a theatrical production of the P. Ramly suite.
A Chinese film whose music was played by Remix, showing their exploration of home-grown cinematic scores.
A Chinese film whose music was played by Remix, demonstrating their engagement with local cinematic works.
A favorite piece of Remix, arranged by Kelly Tang, presented with a meditative and tender take.
A musical work based on P. Ramly's tunes, revisited by Julian Wong and Remix, and integrated into a theatrical production.
The Indonesian name for the Chinese song 'Ti', which pays tribute to Chinese migrants in Southeast Asia.
A Chinese song performed by Remix, commissioned from Kelly Tang.
The title of one of P. Ramly's famous tunes, meaning 'vibrations of the soul'.
Arranger of 'The moon represents my heart' and commissioned to arrange the song 'Ti'. He is a recipient of the Singapore Culture Medallion.
Commissioned by Remix to create a piece using P. Ramly's tunes. He lectured on his techniques and devices used.
His tunes were used by Julian Wong for a musical commission by Remix. He is also depicted as an actor on stage interacting with Julian Wong in a theatrical production.
Founding director of Wild Rice, who collaborated on a theatrical production of the P. Ramly suite.
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