The Monday Interview with Alex Abisheganaden

There’s a great article on Alex that came out today (17 Oct 2011) in the Straits Time’s Life! Section (page C4). It’s a great tribute to this pioneer and maestro with great anecdotes and stories.

Ernest Kwok, Raj and myself are quoted in the article. There is a slight error in the article though. The reporter describes me as being a former student of NUS.

I have never studied at NUS (they wish!).I met Alex when I was a member of Ngee Ann Polytechnic Strings.

Due to copyright laws, I am unable to publish the article on my website. But here’s a short synopsis. The article talks about Alex’s accomplishments and it does a great job of bringing out what a caring man he is.

It describes how Alex befriended a then-19 year old Kam Kee Yong and let him stay in his house when he learned Kam only had a room at the YMCA.

Ernest Kwok, Alex’s “first private student”, also speaks about how Alex would take him Hotel Equatorial for tea when he was young, and how Alex refused to charge him “a single cent”.

Alex says he is worried that his brother Paul and himself will be forgotten with the passing of time. He also describes the horrors of the Japanese occupation and how his family survived.

Alex and his wife Eileen also speak candidly about how her parents strongly objected to their interracial marriage.

A great read not only for classical guitarists, but for local musicians who never had to live through such difficult times.

Online subscribers to the Straits Times can read the article here.

I admire Alex’s compassion and kampung spirit. He’s always ready to help his fellow man and his selflessness is a quality that is sorely lacking in today’s generation.

On a side note, it’s great to see the classical guitar experience a revival in Singapore. First Kevin Loh brought the classical guitar back to national television at the President’s Star Charity 2011 and now the Straits Times pays tribute to Alex with this excellent profile.

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About Dedrick Koh

Dedrick Koh is a Social Media and Communications Specialist at Nanyang Polytechnic. He has a Bachelors (Murdoch) and Diploma (Ngee Ann Polytechnic) in Mass Communication. Dedrick is a communications professional and a highly skilled classical guitarist. As a communications professional, he has worked on brands like Coca Cola, DHL, Nokia, Nestle, the Health Promotion Board, the Economic Development Board of Singapore and the President Challenge. He gave private classical guitar during his polytechnic and undergraduate studies to put himself through school. He has succesfully prepared students for ABRSM and Trinity exams and was previously an instructor cum assistant conductor at Ngee Ann Polytechnic Strings under Alex Abisheganaden .

kaiyee

Posted November 19, 2011 at 9:28 PM

Your article brought back lots of memories: first met Alex when we started the NUS Guitar Ensemble in early 80′s. I have lost contact both with him & my guitar since I left uni due to my busy work life. I am living in Australia now and my love for guitar has rekindled recently. Looking to buy a new guitar to replaced my 1987 Vicente Sanchis because its bridge has lifted.

Anyway, I will be making a trip back to Singapore, hoping to catch up with Alex (if he still remember me!) Is he still at Sunset Way?


Dedrick Koh

Posted November 20, 2011 at 8:18 PM

Hi Kaiyee,

Thanks for sharing. I’m sure Alex will be happy to hear that the blood of a guitarist still flows within you.

Australia is a great place to buy a classical guitar! Lucky you. Keep us updated with your purchase. If you are coming back soon you can also consider visiting the Singapore Guitar Show 2011 to buy your guitar.

Alex has moved. He’s no longer at Sunset Way. He is in a smaller flat that is easier for him and his wife to maintain. I don’t have the exact address but recommend you try to make contact with him via The Little Arts Academy.

Dedrick Koh

Posted November 20, 2011 at 8:59 PM

Yeah, their prices are very competitive and their customer service is pretty good. Give them a try if you are in the market for Alhambra Guitars.

Posted November 19, 2011 at 9:31 PM

BTW, could you send me a copy of the article appeared in ST in Oct?


Dedrick Koh

Posted November 20, 2011 at 8:29 PM

Check your yahoo mail.

Posted November 20, 2011 at 8:57 PM

Hi Dedrick,

Thanks for the replies & the ST article.

I’ll be back end of Dec, will miss the Guitar Show. Anyway, I checked out the prices of Alhambra in Synwin as recommended, wow it is a lot cheaper in Singapore: 4P is S$856 in Synwin but it is A$1160 here; 7P – S$1840, A$2690 here! That is a huge saving.

Posted November 21, 2011 at 8:13 AM

I read thru’ the article in ST, I was surprised that he didn’t elaborate much on NUS ensemble which was one of his first project: I was one of the 10 that started the group in 1980, in my first year in NUS. Within 4 years we became the first Niibori Guitar Orchestra in Singapore. It was a great achievement as classical guitar ensemble was relatively unheard of in Singapore then.

I was with the group for about 8 years until my life became too preoccupied with work.


Dedrick Koh

Posted November 21, 2011 at 8:10 PM

Hi kaiyee,

Since you’ve been away from Singapore for a bit, I think I better add more context to the article. Firstly, I believe that the article was partially prompted by the recent passing away of Alex’s brother, Paul.

I think ST wanted to feature Alex and catch up with him after some time had passed.

Also, I think GENUS was not featured prominently because Alex is no longer helming the orchestra. He was replaced several years ago, which was painful for both Alex and GENUS.