Dr Liang Wern Fook and Singapore Chinese Orchestra have released their first digital album together, Encounter — a deeply nostalgic yet refreshingly reimagined take on Singapore’s xinyao sound.
Out now on major streaming platforms, the instrumental record revisits 25 songs from Liang’s catalogue across six medleys, tracing themes of youth, identity, home, and self. Fan favourites like 'Friends Forever', 'Singapore Pie', and 'Your Reflection' are given new life through sweeping orchestral arrangements that spotlight the emotional core of each composition.
Arranged by SCO composer-in-residence Wang Chenwei, the album leans into the richness of Chinese orchestration while staying true to the spirit of xinyao. Traditional and dialect instruments — from the Hokkien nanyin pipa to the Cantonese yehu — are thoughtfully woven into the arrangements, adding texture and a distinctly Singaporean sonic identity.
“Xinyao and Singapore Chinese orchestral music both represent a uniquely Singaporean sound,” Liang shared. “I am honoured to record this album with the orchestra to present my works to old and new audiences.”
Beyond its sonic ambition, Encounter feels like a time capsule for longtime listeners and a gateway for newer audiences. By reframing these classic songs without vocals, the album invites listeners to sit with the melodies in a more reflective way — letting each arrangement surface memories, moods, and meanings that still resonate across generations.
