Ms Liu Yoko was born in Yokohama, Japan and studied at the Tokyo College of Music. She was first a flautist but took up the clarinet later in her music studies. She has lived in the USA and in Switzerland to pursue music and has even studied with Professor Francois Benda at Musik Akacademie der Stadt Basel. She has also participated in many performances internationally - having done solo recitals in Tokyo, Yokohama and Fukuoka.

Ms Yoko moved to Singapore after marrying her husband Mr Liu Chang, current SSO Associate Principal bassoonist. Before joining SSO in January 2007, she was a member of the Kyushu Symphony Orchestra. She has also been involved in teaching, and some of her students have even made a name for themselves in the musical field.

Read on for JCC's interview with Ms Liu Yoko about her musical influences and her encouragement for young musicians. You may also watch our short video of Ms Liu Yoko doing a quick-fire Q&A and playing a familiar local folk song on her clarinet!

Q: According to your bio on Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s website, you have been a clarinetist with SSO since 2007 and you’ve performed with many orchestras around the world, what made you decide to make your base in Singapore?

A: I decided to settle down in Singapore following my marriage to Liu Chang, who is now my colleague as Associate Principal Bassoonist. Subsequently, I passed the SSO auditions and took up my current position.

現在同僚である副首席ファゴット奏者 Liu Changとの結婚を機に、シンガポールに定住することを決めました。その後SSOのオーディションに合格し、現在のポジションに就くことになりました。

Q: How has Singapore changed you as a musician?

A: Before moving to Singapore, I was a member of the Kyushu Symphony Orchestra. Compared to Japanese orchestras, the SSO's scheduling is somewhat more relaxed, so since arriving here I've found that I have more personal time and can practice on my own much more frequently.

シンガポールに移住する前は、九州交響楽団というところに所属していたのですが、日本のオーケストラと比べるとSSOのスケジュールの組み方は少々緩めなので、こちらに来てからは自分の時間が増え、個人練習もたくさんできるようになったと思います。

Q: Please share with us the musicians who have influenced you the most.

A: I was greatly influenced by the teachers from whom I took clarinet lessons with for many years.

過去にクラリネットのレッスンを長く受けた先生方から多くの影響を受けました。

Q: Do you have any words of advice for young aspiring musicians as well as young musicians?

A: I believe that nowadays, most aspiring professionals have reached a point where they can perform with ease and without any technical issues. However, I would urge them to remember to constantly strive in not only improving their own playing technique, but also in researching the background of the composers whose works they are performing ― and to ponder the thoughts and feelings that went into creating those pieces.

今現在プロになろうとされている方のほとんどが、技術的にもう何の問題もなく楽々と演奏できるのが普通になってきていると思いますが、ご自身の演奏技術の向上だけでなく、演奏する曲の作曲家の背景を調べたり、どんな思いで作ったのだろうかと思いを馳せたりすることを、常に忘れないでいてほしいと思います。

Q. Please share with us the music you listen to during your free time.

A. Whenever I listen to classical music, I end up thinking about all sorts of things and actually find it hard to relax (laughs), so in my free time I tend to listen to jazz instead – though I'm no expert in it.

私はクラシックを聴いてしまうと、いろんなことを思ってしまい逆にリラックスできなくなるので（笑）、オフの時は、詳しくはないですがジャズを聞いたりしています。

Resources:
Singapore Symphony Orchestra -The Orchestra: Liu Yoko