Qobuzissime: Chloe Chua

Seventeen-year-old violinist Chloe Chua has established herself as one of the most remarkable young talents in the classical music scene. Born and raised in Singapore as the daughter of a music educator, Chua began playing piano and violin at a young age, showing exceptional talent early on. After numerous competitions and awards, she won first place in the junior category of the prestigious Menuhin Competition in 2018 at eleven, opening international doors for her.

With technical brilliance and remarkable emotional expressiveness, Chua, despite her young age, is part of the top tier of classical music and performs with renowned orchestras and conductors. Her repertoire includes both classical masterpieces and contemporary pieces, which she showcased on her first album in 2023 with Pentatone, Vivaldi: The Four Seasons & Locatelli, together with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Chan Yoong Han.

With her second album, Butterfly Lovers & Paganini, Chloe Chua again demonstrates her extraordinary talent and versatility with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. The album centres around the violin concerto Butterfly Lovers by Chinese composers Chen Gang (born 1935) and He Zhanhao (born 1933). Inspired by a Chinese folk legend, it is considered one of the most significant works in Chinese and Asian orchestral literature. Chua shares her personal connection to the work:

“The piece Butterfly Lovers was one of my great-uncle’s favourite concertos. Years ago, I heard an excerpt played by one of his grandchildren at a family gathering, which left a deep impression on me. As I learned the piece, I discovered how the story of the Butterfly Lovers has survived through many retellings over the centuries in various forms, from ink to canvas to music. I was deeply moved not only by the couple’s unwavering love and Zhu Yingtai’s courageous defiance of feudal society’s customs but also by the heartbreaking story that unfolds in the violin concerto by Chen Gang and He Zhanhao.”

Another highlight of the album is Niccolò Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Major, composed in 1815 and known for its technical challenges and virtuosic passages. With apparent ease and excellence, the young violinist masters the Italian composer’s masterpiece, bridging two centuries and cultures. Butterfly Lovers & Paganini is another milestone in Chloe Chua’s extraordinary and promising career and a clear “Qobuzissime” for us!