Melvyn Tan
Encyclopedia
Melvyn Tan (born 13 October 1956) is a Singapore
-born British
classical
pianist
, noted for his study of historical performance practice.
From a young age, he went to England
to study, first at the Yehudi Menuhin School
when he was twelve years old, later enrolling at the Royal College of Music
.
Upon returning to Singapore in 2005, he was fined for not having done National Service in Singapore
, although he was studying in London during the time he was required to serve, had already started a busy concert career and he had already acquired British citizenship.
During his development as a pianist, Tan developed a passion for the fortepiano
, which he has promoted throughout his career, and thereby changed other musicians' perceptions of this instrument. He has now returned mainly to the pianoforte and performs a wide ranging repertoire from Bach to Messiaen.
He has lived in London since 1978, and continues to give concerts worldwide. In 2007, he performed live at the Royal Academy of Arts for Jasper Conran
's London Fashion Week collection.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
-born British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, noted for his study of historical performance practice.
From a young age, he went to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
to study, first at the Yehudi Menuhin School
Yehudi Menuhin School
The Yehudi Menuhin School is a specialist music school in Surrey, England. It was founded in 1963 by the violinist Yehudi Menuhin.The School also gives pupils the best musical education any specialist schools can with a number of internationally main teachers, Simon Fischer , Natalya Boyarskaya ,...
when he was twelve years old, later enrolling at the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
.
Upon returning to Singapore in 2005, he was fined for not having done National Service in Singapore
National Service in Singapore
Conscription in Singapore, called National Service , requires all male Singaporean citizens and second-generation permanent residents who have reached the age of 18 to enrol in the military...
, although he was studying in London during the time he was required to serve, had already started a busy concert career and he had already acquired British citizenship.
During his development as a pianist, Tan developed a passion for the fortepiano
Fortepiano
Fortepiano designates the early version of the piano, from its invention by the Italian instrument maker Bartolomeo Cristofori around 1700 up to the early 19th century. It was the instrument for which Haydn, Mozart, and the early Beethoven wrote their piano music...
, which he has promoted throughout his career, and thereby changed other musicians' perceptions of this instrument. He has now returned mainly to the pianoforte and performs a wide ranging repertoire from Bach to Messiaen.
He has lived in London since 1978, and continues to give concerts worldwide. In 2007, he performed live at the Royal Academy of Arts for Jasper Conran
Jasper Conran
Jasper Alexander Thirlby Conran OBE is an English fashion designer. He is the son of the designer Sir Terence Conran and the author Shirley Conran.-Education:He was educated at Port Regis School and Bryanston School in the 1970s...
's London Fashion Week collection.
External links
- http://www.melvyntan.com
- Singaporean Ministerial statement on his National Service default