Cool

Programme notes

For three decades, the vibrant pulse of Singapore has been the creative wellspring for Robert Casteels. From its intricate history to its verdant landscapes, this adopted homeland continues to shape his work as both composer and conductor. In his latest work for wind orchestra entitled Cool, Robert turns his ear toward two of the island’s most iconic sounds and tastes: the persistent call of the Asian koel bird and a quartet of beloved local desserts. Written for the third Wind Bands Association of Singapore Composition Contest (COMPOSE!) and awarded Certificate “Distinguished Awards - Work by a Singaporean Composer”, this eleven-minute musical feast dances between the wild and the kitchen. Robert takes the koel bird’s signature wake-up call—that cheeky, ascending slide—and transforms it into a playful rhythmic motif. Like the bird darting through the canopy, the melody develops through four variations, gathering energy until it reaches a dense, joyous peak. The percussion section includes traditional instruments from the Chinese, Eurasian, Indian and Malay cultures. But what is a Singaporean day without food? Interwoven with the birdsong are four musical "tastings":

• Ice Kachang: Much like digging through a mountain of shaved ice to find the colourful treasures hidden at the bottom, the music reveals eight major chords one by one. It is refreshing, bright, and carries a calming chill.

• Ang Ku Kueh: To honour this "Red Tortoise" treat, the music sways in a gentle, ternary rhythm. You will hear eight dominant 7th and 9th chords—a nod to the number eight, the ultimate Chinese symbol of prosperity and good luck.

• Ondeh-ondeh: To capture the magical moment a pandan ball bursts with liquid palm sugar, Robert uses smooth whole-tone textures. These sounds glide past one another without any "dissonant friction," perfectly portraying the velvety sweetness of gula melaka.

• Mithai: The musical language of the last chosen dessert is homophonic and homorhythmic, mirroring the rapid "question and answer" patterns characteristic of Indian music.

In Singapore, food is more than just sustenance; it is the heart of social life. With Cool, Dr Robert Casteels offers a melodic tribute to the flavours and sounds that define the city's shared public space. It is a composition that proves history and geography do not just belong in books—they belong on our plates and in our ears.

Handwritten sketches and drafts

to be found in chapter LI of the white cover, A3 size, 600 pages sketchbook

Completion of the composition 

29-I-2026

Anaylsis 

see Cool (2026) under Articles