LESLIE AND LIONEL TAN

We know them as two of the founding members of the T’ang Quartet, Singapore’s most renowned string quartet. But after nearly three decades of performing together, brothers Leslie and Lionel Tan have departed from the group to pursue other musical interests.

The decision didn’t come easy. “I officially stepped away in end-may,” shares older brother Leslie. “I was getting involved in many other fresh and exciting projects elsewhere such as the Bach-in-bali music festival and community works in Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand. I wanted to devote more energy in making those successful.” For younger brother Lionel, he made

his decision in 2018, as he was “mainly looking for new direction and inspiration”. Leslie plays the cello, while Lionel plays the viola, and they both remain very much involved in Singapore’s classical music scene as soloists and chamber musicians.

Leslie is now the continuo cellist of local baroque ensemble, Red Dot Baroque. “My work takes place across multiple platforms and genres that span from folk to formal, oriental to western. At the same time, I strive to delve deeper into formal classical music by exploring the history of the baroque period.”

Lionel on the other hand has established a new music collective, Tangent Moves, which brings together young and talented musicians in Singapore. “Their styles vary from classical to electronic to jazz,” he shares. “They mostly write original compositions as well form collaborations within themselves and other established musicians such as turntablist DJ Koflow.”

For him, the artful blend of east and west that he once presented with the T’ang Quartet is something that he takes with him in this new position. “It will always be part of my palate,” he says. “But music is fluid, and there is so much more than what the quartet did.”