Soul-stirring kaleidoscope of colours and contrasts

The Piano Island Festival, founded by local pianist-entrepreneur Wang Congyu and inaugurated last year, is now in its third edition. Alternating between Singapore and Reunion (a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean), the festival includes a competition, lectures, masterclasses and public recitals by an international cast of pianists.

The Esplanade Recital Studio was host to four recitals, with evening sessions helmed by Philippe Cassard (France) and Poom Prommachart (Thailand). Cassard will be remembered for performing the complete solo piano works of Claude Debussy in four recitals at this same venue in 2003, providing relief and solace during the Sars epidemic.