Mandarin Oriental Singapore composes a symphony for a view with Forsman & Bodenfors

Forsman & Bodenfors has launched a new campaign for Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, that taps into music to communicate the luxury hotel’s reopening.

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 honour 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.

“One of the most spectacular features of the newly transformed Mandarin Oriental, Singapore is experiencing the view from its exclusive new Penthouse Suite. But communicating that feeling is a difficult thing to do. To express this emotion, we tapped into music for a composition that translates a view to a song, creating something powerful and beautiful at the same time. For Mandarin Oriental, Singapore this symphony honours 36 years of legacy and celebrates a brand new era, connecting with audiences in a new way, triggering memories and building deeper connections.” Said Ivan Guerra, Group Creative Director, Forsman & Bodenfors.

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 Shin, composer.

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.

Watch the ‘making of’ The Exceptional Bay Symphony film here.

Watch the full score of The Exceptional Bay Symphony performed here, or listen to the track on Spotify here.