• for large Western symphony orchestra (3343 - 6441 - 9 percussionists- organ - harp), gamelan, tabla, Chinese strings [yang qin, pipa, 4 gao hu, 4 er hu, 4 zhong hu], western strings and pre-recorded tape

• Duration: 35'
• In 7 movements: overture/ passacaglia/ fugato/ rondo/ scherzo/ finale/ coda
• Composed in 2005
• Commissioned by The National University of Singapore
• Dedicated to NUS alumni, donors and friends
• First performance: 02.07.05 The NUS Centennial Symphony Orchestra conducted by R Casteels Suntec Convention Centre (Singapore)
• Full score published by Ridge Books, an imprint of NUS Publishing ISBN 9971-69-329-1
• Parts: To rent the parts, please email <rc@robertcasteels.com>
• Recording: available from the composer, please email <rc@robertcasteels.com>
• Downloadable scores for inspection:
  Symphony1coda.pdf
  Symphony1finale.pdf
  Symphony1fugato.pdf
  Symphony1overture.pdf
  Symphony1passacaglia.pdf
  Symphony1rondo.pdf
  Symphony1scherzo.pdf

Vast fresco for a large orchestra of one hundred musicians, this Symphony No. 1 was commissioned by the National University of Singapore in 2005 for its centenary and is dedicated to its alumni, donors and friends. The music hopes to function at three levels: as a descriptive symphonic poem, as an abstract academic composition and as a lyrical piece of music. At the first level, the symphonic poem draws its inspiration from each historical period. Hints of national anthems refer to the role played by countries such as England and The Netherlands in the establishment of the University and the construction of the Kent Ridge campus. At the second level, mathematical proportions based on the number 100 and on classical forms structure this tonal symphony. Lastly, the composer hopes to have created an enjoyable piece of music.

The overture presents in rapid and intertwined succession all ten themes that constitute the whole symphony. Each key signature corresponds to each colour of the NUS Centennial logo. Each of the five movements corresponds to a period of the history of the University. Thereafter, the coda ventures into the future. One hundred cloned sounds are released and dissolve in outer space, sending a message of friendship.

Quote
Casteels Centennial Symphony employs a postmodern, polystylistic idiom that utilises classic forms such as passacaglia, fugato, and rondo. The music ranges from tonality to bitonality and neotonality.
Lee Shin-Kang, Singapore