Also known as Our Story (我们的故事) First episode date 23 October 2015 Genre Musical | Directed by Canter Chia 谢光华 Final episode date 3 December 2015 Number of episodes 30 Language Chinese | |
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Written by Wawa Creative Team 哇哇创作组 Starring Christopher LeeTay Ping HuiDarren LimJacelyn TayCynthia KohAnn Kok Similar The Dream Makers II, Fire Up, Tiger Mum, House of Fortune, 118 | ||
xinyao encounter
Crescendo (Chinese: 起飞) is a Singaporean musical drama produced by production company Wawa Pictures and telecast on MediaCorp Channel 8. The drama began production in May 2015 and will make its debut on 23 October 2015. It stars Christopher Lee , Tay Ping Hui , Darren Lim , Jacelyn Tay , Cynthia Koh & Ann Kok in this series.
Contents
The series is set against the backdrop of the Xinyao Movement, synonymous with the pursuit of dreams of a young generation of Singaporeans in the local music industry, and a part of Singapore culture many still hold dear.
Plot
In the late 80s, three Xinyao fans from junior college, Yang Yiwei (Christopher Lee), Jiang Chufan (Tay Ping Hui) and Luo Dawei (Darren Lim) came together to form a group named "Crescendo". They were later joined by Wang Yafang (Cynthia Koh) and Irene Lin Meiling (Jacelyn Tay). Chufan and Yafang became a couple, not knowing that Yiwei also had a crush on Yafang, and Irene's admiration of Chufan. Eventually, Yiwei and Yafang got married; Chufan and Irene got married as well but divorced years later.
After they graduated from university, the three men pooled their savings to fund a record company labelled "Crescendo". Chufan is the creative director and Yiwei is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Whenever the both of them argued over clashes in business perspectives, Dawei have to step forward to mediate.
Yiwei encountered operational and financial difficulties due to market competitions and change of trends. Just when all hope seems lost, Dawei found a venture-capital firm to invest in their record company. The trio met the managing director of the firm, and were surprised to see Chufan's ex-wife, Irene. Irene assured them that her decision to invest is purely based on the potential she saw in "Crescendo"; but to seal the deal, she wants 49% of the company's shares. Yiwei and Dawei were skeptical of Irene's intention but she managed to convince them that she will not interfere in the company's operations. They eventually agreed to let Irene come on board. Little did they know that she harbours evil intentions. She intends to take revenge.
With the newly injected fund, the trio decided to start a music school. Dawei flew to Taiwan to invite Shirley Deng Xueli (Ann Kok), an ex-xinyao singer whom he had a crush on for years, to join "Crescendo" as a singing teacher. Xueli had joined a Taiwan production company after her graduation in the early days, and had moved on to develop her singing career in Hong Kong and Taiwan. She experienced several setbacks so when Dawei finally found Xueli, she was performing in a small café in Taiwan. Initially, she rejected Dawei's offer but after much persuasion, she relented.
The appearance of Xueli irked Irene as Shirley was attracted to the talented Chufan. This caused friction between the three men, leaving "Crescendo" in havoc. Amidst the chaos, Irene took the opportunity to activate her revenge plan.
In the end, Irene sold "Crescendo" away and left for overseas. Whereas, Chufan continue his ambition by going to "Genesis".
Yiwei received Irene's call one day, leaving the show in a cliffhanger.
Crescendo Concert
As part of a holistic viewing experience, Ocean Butterflies, Wawa Pictures and MediaCorp Channel 8 have come together to present a ticketed concert. This is the first such tripartite collaboration in history and is unique on its own with it being an extension from Crescendo.
The theme of the concert is LEGACY, showing the evolution of Singapore music from Xinyao to S-Pop. Besides those by local Xinyao pioneers, there will be performances by local rising stars such as Ling Kai and Bonnie Loo, as well as by cast members of Crescendo, including Christopher Lee, Ann Kok and Darren Lim. As part of a transmedia campaign to create a timely reel to real engaging experience, they will appear in characters at the concert. The concert will be filmed and snippets of it will be shown in the series finale of the show, which airs on 3 Dec 2015.
"Crescendo Concert" was held at The Max Pavilion – Singapore Expo on 14 November 2015, 8pm. This is after episode 16 of the drama so viewers would be familiarized with the leads.
Soundtrack
A compilation album showcasing songs from Crescendo will be pre-released during the Crescendo Concert on 14 November 2015, and was subsequently released in CD-Rama stores on 16 November. It comprises 3 original songs, as well as 19 remakes of Xinyao songs.
Trivia
Release
Crescendo DVD is now available in Poh Kim Video Stores.
The Drama is now having a repeat telecast at 5.30pm on Channel 8.
2016 Accolades
Crescendo is nominated for six award categories in Star Awards 2016. The series, along with 118, The Dream Makers II, The Journey: Our Homeland and Tiger Mum, is one of the five dramas to be nominated for both the Best Drama Serial and Best Theme Song.