As the event started at 5pm with dinner, we were joined by some early birds at the Maxwell Food Centre. Joining Yong Meng were Ron and a family comprising Benjamin Seow and Feu, as well as their daughter Xing. Ron was a newcomer to Meetup and we warmly welcome him to the family. Xing would go on to play a piece that evening. After an hour of great interaction over delicious local fare, the group trooped back to The URA Centre, where they were joined by other Pianovers who had arrived.

This evening, we welcomed newcomers Mike Yong and his family, including his four daughters. Another family that attended comprised Gerard and his wife, together with their son Jasper. We always feel that it is heartwarming that families can come together and enjoy music, which certainly helps in family bonding! This is especially so when families bring their children along and expose them to the world of music. One is never too young to start learning music! Also new to the Meetup were Peishan, Scott and Daryl.

Following a quick Introduction of Pianover Meetups, the Mini-Recital started. Gwen was the first to go up to the piano. She played two pieces, 活出爱 by 盛晓玫 (Amy Sand) and Egyptian Dance by Camille Saint-Saens. Camille Saint-Saens was a French composer, conductor and pianist from the Romantic era and he wrote many well-known compositions during his lifetime. Apart from "Egyptian Dance", he also wrote "Carnival of the Animals", a light-hearted compilation of movements for various animals like the elephant, lion, hens, roosters, tortoises, kangaroos and swan. Another of Saint-Saens' works was "Danse Macabre", which is a tone poem that plays out the Halloween scene in which "Death" appears and has the dead dance while he plays his violin. "Danse Macabre" was originally scored for an obbligato violin and performed by a full orchestra, complete with a percussion section.

Next to come on stage was Stella, who played "La Donna è Mobile" by Giuseppe Verdi. This catchy tune, whose English name is "Woman is Fickle", was written for the opera "Rigoletto". Verdi had provided the score to Raffaele Mirate, the singer, only minutes prior to the premiere. Mirate had to promise not to leak the tune as he rehearsed. True to what Verdi expected, this piece arrested everyone's attention and in the days that followed, it proved so popular that it caught on very quickly among Venice's famed gondoliers as well.

Stella also played "Aria in F, BWV Anh. II 131" by Johann Christian Bach, as well as "When The Saints Go Marching In". It is believed that "When The Saints Go Marching In" originated in the 1900s from a number of similarly-titled gospel songs. The first known recorded version of this song came about in 1923.

Siew Tin played a Chinese classic, 爱拼才会赢 by 陈百潭. This song, first published in Taiwan in 1988 and compiled in an album of the same title, exhorts listeners who are beaten and demoralised to pick themselves up and keep forging ahead. A very motivating piece, indeed!

Jovan performed two pieces this evening, Gypsy Song (No. 6 from A Baker's Dozen) by Bryan Kelly, as well as America, the Beautiful by Samuel A. Ward. "America, the Beautiful" was first published in 1910, however, it gained popularity in the last two decades following the September 11 attacks in New York City, as it gained a patriotic following. Today, it is sung at sporting events in addition to the American national anthem.

Wesley played Moon River by Henry Mancini and popularised by Richard Clayderman. Although this piece was composed a while back, it took on popularity as it was used in the movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's" in 1961. The lyrics were written by American lyricist Johnny Mercer. Interestingly, there is a body of water in Savannah, Georgia (Mercer's hometown) that is named "Moon River". This name was given in honour of Mercer and his song.

Grace was up at the piano next and she performed two pieces. They were Prelude, Op. 28, No. 23 and Prelude, Op. 28, No. 24 by Chopin. The famous Polish composer composed his 24 Preludes, Op. 28, beween 1835 and 1839. He had modelled his Preludes compilation after JS Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier and covered all the 24 major and minor keys. "Prelude, Op. 28, No. 24" is also known as "The Storm". This classical piece was used in a Tom and Jerry cartoon series, specifically in Cat Concerto. The 7 second mark of the opening credits featured this piece and it was extracted from the longer piece at the 1 minute 32 second mark.

May Ling played 新不了情 by 鲍比达, which was the theme song for the 1993 Hong Kong movie of the same title, starring Anita Yuen and Sean Lau. The movie, which had the French title, "C'est la vie, mon chéri", tells the sad tale of Kit and Min who meet in Hong Kong's poor housing district. Love blossoms between them as Min helps to lift the dejected musician Kit. Unfortunately, their short-lived romance ends sadly when Min dies of cancer.

Last but not least, Jaeyong played My Way by Claude François, Jacques Revaux. This piece was originally published in 1967 and had the original name "Comme d'habitude" (As usual). "My Way" was popularised by Frank Sinatra. There are two interpretations. The French song is about routine in a failing relationship. The English version, by comparison, describes how one looks back at one's life without regret.