Darius Lim is putting Singapore on the global choral map with the release of Songs of Dreams — a sweeping new album under Naxos Records, the world’s largest classical music label. With this milestone, Lim becomes the first Singaporean composer to publish a full choral album with the prestigious label, bringing the voices of home to international ears.
Songs of Dreams is a 14-track sonic journey performed by the Voices of Singapore Choral Society. The works, recorded in 2024 at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, are presented in immersive Dolby Atmos — elevating Lim’s dreamlike soundscapes with spatial depth and emotional clarity.
“It’s a work shaped by the voices and dreams of our local community,” says Lim, who also serves as Artistic Director and CEO of Voices of Singapore (VOS). “My hope is that listeners everywhere can feel the heart and dedication in each note”.
The album blends ethereal atmospheres, folklore, and emotional storytelling across pieces like:
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‘The Fire Dance of Luna’
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‘The Water Dance of Lluvia’
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‘The Glass Slipper’
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‘Echoes of the Lost World’
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‘Cries from a Distant World’
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‘A Puppet’s Dream’
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‘Dayung Sampan’, a nod to local heritage
These works are performed by the VOS State Choirs, representing the organisation’s most elite vocal ensembles, including the VOS Children’s Choir, Youth Choir, Ladies Choir, Men, and City Chorus.
Adding to the moment, VOS is premiering a behind-the-scenes documentary on 12 December, offering fans a rare look into the album’s creation — from intimate rehearsals to Lim’s creative process.
An internationally acclaimed conductor-composer, Lim has led Voices of Singapore into becoming the nation’s largest singing organisation, with over 1,500 members. His compositions have been performed by global ensembles like VOCES8 and the Hong Kong Philharmonic. In 2023, he was Composer-in-Residence at Carnegie Hall and a Featured Composer at the World Symposium on Choral Music in Istanbul.
