SINGAPORE — The view from the most exclusive penthouse suite perched on the 23rd floor of the newly transformed Mandarin Oriental, Singapore has inspired a symphony, a piece of music designed to honor the iconic view of the Marina Bay skyline. The debut of The Exceptional Bay Symphony marks the official reopening celebration of the hotel along with the ribbon cutting ceremony on this day.
Taking Singapore’s luxury offerings to new heights, the sprawling 380 sqm, four-bedroom Royal Marina Bay Penthouse is the only hotel penthouse on the island that offers a breath-taking unobstructed panoramic view of the Marina Bay skyline and South China Sea from its spacious balcony, making it one of the most sought-after views in Singapore.
It is from this vantage point on the highest floor of the hotel that Mandarin Oriental, Singapore has welcomed a group of prolific musicians to compose a symphony in honour of this exceptional view: Enter “The Exceptional Bay Symphony” – a bespoke piece of music written and performed to mark the launch of the Royal Marina Bay Penthouse.
A symphony first composed on piano and then written for a full orchestra, The Exceptional Bay Symphony translates a view to a melody, where architecture and music converge into a narrative, taking guests on a journey through Singapore’s most revered skyline.
The Exceptional Bay Symphony film released by the hotel tells the story of how the composer and orchestra experienced the view and worked together to compose the symphony, ending with The Exceptional Bay Symphony being performed right inside the Royal Marina Bay Penthouse itself.
Composer of The Exceptional Bay Symphony is award-winning pianist Jonathan Shin, who has performed as a soloist and chamber musician on the international stage, earning himself a reputation as one of Singapore’s most compelling composers. Jonathan wanted to convey the feeling of awe and wonder that struck him when he saw the prized view for the first time.
“Music has that ineffable quality that can capture the excitement and fervour of a moment, and I wanted to communicate the feeling of seeing this incredible view from the Royal Marina Bay Penthouse for the first time. The magnificent skyline of the Marina Bay, with its gleaming towers, multiple domes and peaking silhouettes, created a natural typography, shaping the melodic contour of the music score. From capturing the capricious nature of Singapore’s busy city-living, to the melding of glass, metal, and concrete rising up from the ground, all these elements culminate in a beautiful burst of melodies, into an exceptional symphony,” said Jonathan.
The symphony is performed by the critically acclaimed Orchestra of The Music Makers (OMM), made up of a team of Singapore’s most talented volunteer musicians, dedicated to bringing the highest of musical standards to the community. The OMM have become an integral part of Singapore’s classical music scene and gained international repute as an orchestra that can perform with extraordinary versatility across a wide repertoire of musical styles, from classical works to film music and beyond.
Principal designer of the hotel’s transformation, Jeffrey Wilkes, describes the Royal Marina Bay Penthouse as a “suite designed for a view” which was built to wrap around a full corner, allowing for a double frontage view where every window provides a different perspective of the extraordinary vista. The Penthouse includes an expansive balcony and lushly decorated living spaces that stretch from the Singapore Flyer all the way to the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay.
“We have seen the view from Mandarin Oriental, Singapore evolve and shape into this incredibly renowned skyline that visitors from across the world come to witness and enjoy. We are proud to say we now have one of the most enviable Penthouse views in Singapore that we believe deserves a symphony of its own. The Exceptional Bay Symphony is our way of bringing some of the spirit of Singapore to the world and marking a milestone that will forever be etched in our hotel’s transformation. We begin a new chapter with a promise of always bringing exceptional experiences, service and hospitality to our guests.” said Philipp Knuepfer, General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Singapore & Area Vice President, Operations.
The Exceptional Bay Symphony marks the continued celebration of Mandarin Oriental, Singapore’s recent re-opening after an extensive six-month multi-million-dollar transformation. Redefining luxury living and unparalleled service, Mandarin Oriental, Singapore brings an “Exceptionally Singapore” experience – encapsulating the global hotel group’s spirit of world class hospitality and embracing the very best of the city’s distinctive nature, cultural heritage, and architectural traditions.
