MPO's SATURDAY AFTERNOON RECITAL

As part of its outreach program (Encounter), the MPO is proud to bring to you the Saturday Afternoon Recital featuring a cello enselmble and piano trio. The performance is free of charge. Pls click on the poster above for further details.

JUNIOR ASSOCIATES CONFERENCE IS BACK!

Another year has passed and the Junior Associates Conference is coming round again and will be held from the 24th-26th of November at YMCA Ipoh. Please click on the pictures below for more information.

MAMA MIA

MAMA MIA IN KUALA LUMPUR!

As you would all know by now, West End’s Mama Mia will be in Kuala Lumpur from 17^th Dec to 1^st January 2009.

Due to the popularity of this musical and probably once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness such a class act in Malaysia, PSPA would like to organize a day trip to KL for those who would like to have a day of fun and camaraderie. A suitable date will be determined later.

Please register with the PSPA office as early as possible so that transport and hopefully special group rates/early bird discount can be obtained.

Contact: Sara, PSPA office - 05-5487814

Email - pspaipoh@gmail.com

pspa@tm.net.my

FIVE EYES 'SEEING BLIND' CONCERT

The Five-Eyes Musical Ensemble was founded in July of 1995 by Master Venerable Lien Chan, Chinese Five-Eyes Association very own Venerable Mentor of the Visually Impaired. With the spirit of Buddha’s mercy and equality as well as a firm belief that all things originate from the same basis, Master Venerable Lien Chan stepped into the field of caring for the visually impaired. It is under her guidance that programs such as schooling and cultivation for the visually impaired but musically talented was established. Popular concerts by such artists were also widely sponsored. Leading with compassionate wisdom, Master Venerable Lien Chan freely offers her time and efforts in hopes that mankind may move towards a freer, more harmonious, and quiescently liberated world.

The name Five-Eyes is taken from Buddhist sutra references of the physical eye, the divine eye, the wisdom eye, the Dharma eye, and the Buddha eye. It infers the need to look beyond physical manifestations and realize the spirit beneath. All members of the Five-Eyes Musical Ensemble are highly talented musicians who are visually impaired. Most members graduated from the Musical Division of The Chinese Cultural University and have had multiple well honored performances at the National Chiang Kai Shek Cultural Center R.O.C. National Theater & National Concert Hall (National Concert Hall). Moreover, the Musical Ensemble is frequently invited to perform at regional cultural centers, education halls, schools, jails, company or family banquets, and so forth. Through music, they have touched the hearts of many whom have crossed their paths both educating them and winning rave reviews along the way.

Do you only see me unable to see?
Message from the Lead ― Dong Yu Huang

All visually impaired friends studying music in Taiwan have undergone the long-term experience of being treated as a "blind person” once appearing on the stage. This occurs even though many in the course of studying music never used the “pretext of blindness;” at times, they have worked even harder and posses even more ability than those who have normal eyesight.

It is a true pity, but for a long time, audiences have always been fed the idea that blind performer equates to charitable causes. This changed in the summer of 1995. Under the direction of Master Venerable Lien Chan, Director of the Chinese Five-Eyes Association, the first ever “Five-Eyes Seeing Blind Concert” was held. Renowned musicians in the general music field as well as visually impaired musicians were invited to perform together on the same stage, and it was insist upon that it be a “no fundraising” concert. This precedence finally, on a gradual level, aroused a sense of the equality for united performances between the seeing and the blind as well as set up the model of no fundraising at such event. From that time forward, the much-esteemed Master Lien Chan, Venerable Mentor of the Visually Impaired have insisted on holding multiple “seeing blind” concerts every year. She also pushed me to gather other visually impaired musicians and established the "Five-Eyes Musical Ensemble.” Since the founding of this Ensemble, all performances have been held for the enjoyment all music lovers from all walks of life; no once have we held concerts for the benefit of fundraising. This has given me more confidence to face every performance and a real sense respect.

Wholeheartedly I would like to express my deepest gratitude to those who given me guidance in my life.

"I lost brightness, but I have you all”
Lead of Five-Eyes Musical Ensemble
Huang Dong Yu

Host ─ Jhu Wan Hua ( Cih Lin) (The Blind)

Born in a poor farming household in Jhongliao Town, Nantou County, she is blind in both eyes because of congenital cataract. Her vision remains to be less than 0.001 after the operation. She can only vaguely see the light, color and large object. Converted by the Venerable Mentor of the Visually Impaired – Master Lien Chan, she has learned with her mentor intimately for many years. Under her mentor’s guidance, she made great efforts to learn and strive upwards; she became the first art broker of the blind. Moreover, she cares deeply for the future caring and development of the visually impaired community and has labored tirelessly to improve upon it. She has also been engaged in humane care, education, development of artistic creation as well as performances of the visually impaired, etc. She also shares her life through her songs. Her creations include: “Read the world with heart (book),” “The Movement Which Delineates Life - Taiwan Folk Rhyme,” “Singing in the Faint Light - Folk Song of the Campus,” ”The Song of Peace: Female Trio - Our Song of Native Soil,” ”The Song of Peace Female Chorus-Song in the Streets,” etc.

Host - Jhu Wan Hua

At present: Member of Executive Committee of Chinese Five-Eyes Associations, General Secretary of Arts Promotion Association of the Republic of China, Director of Han-Ding Cultural Limited Company, Trustee of Legal Person Financial Group for the Musical and Educational Foundation for the Visually Impaired in Taipei, Producer of Taiwan Visually Impaired Art Season, Producer of Legal Educational Broadcast Programs, and Host and producer of “Look at You and Look at Me Diligently “ in Han-Shan Broadcasting Radio.

Host ─ Ms. Zhang Ming Yi

Host - Zhang Ming Yi

Ms. Zhang Ming Yi is a graduate of the Taiwan University of Arts Music School. Her distinguished vocal music mentors include Wang Shihting, Weng Lvping, Shen Hsuehyong, Zeng Tehsiung, Cheng Ming, Zhang Ch'inglang, and such professors. As for her musical drama training, the list also includes such renowned figures as Duan Ch'eng Run, Chen Ch'engchen, Wan Tseng, Fei Yuming, and Liao Qiongzhi. Her resume further contains continued works in audio teaching material, hosting of music appreciation broadcasts, and creation of Buddhism based musical arrangements. These arrangements comprise of such scriptures as the ten short incantations, the Quan Ying Chants, etc.

From 1977 to 1985, she attended the San Francisco State University advanced summer courses in chorus training, conducting, and was further invited to joint performances as well. (1982-1983) Ms. Zhang Ming Yi was recognized as one of Taipei’s top 10 outstanding youths. She also flew to Japan to participate in The World Chorus Alliance Concert that same year. Under her direction, the Shih Chien Elementary and Middle School won first place in the Golden Melody awards in 1987. (1989-1998) The Zhangs Jiao Community Chorus also placed first in the Taipei Chorus Competition under her direction. （1984--2007）She lead the groups Taipei Wenshan, Xin Dian Women’s Association, and Lan Yuan Chorus group through multiple world cultural exchanges. Destinations included: Japan, The Ryukyu Islands, Thailand, Malaysia, France, Vienna, Canada, and China (Beijing, Changchun, Harbin, Shanghai, Guangxi, Shandong, etc).

Amongst other items on her extensive repertoire are: appointed as Taipei’s Young Lions Broadcasting’s host for “Appreciation of Music Program”; the forth and fifth Golden Song Awards panel judge for the popular music category as hosted by the Government Information Office; and professor of Shih Chien Middle School both in music and special education.

Currently, she is a board member of the Chinese Five Eyes Association and the Daily Operations Director for the Chinese Ding Xian Association. In addition, she is also a vocalist professor at the Chinese Culture University’s School of Continuing Education and conductor for various chorus assemblies. These chorus groups consist of the Taipei WenShan Chorus, the Chinese Family Planning Association’s Evergreen Chorus, Master Hung-I’s Chorus, Jung Renfan, XinJuan Visually Impaired Reconstruction Chorus Class, etc. Lastly, she has also completed her training in directing of the visually impaired and has become of an official instructor.

Amy L. Shen – English Translator

English Translater - Amy L. Shen

Born in 1978 in Taipei, Taiwan, Amy moved to the United States with her family when she was about nine years old. Due to the nature of her family’s occupation, she had taken up residence in multiple States including New York, Illinois, Oregon, Texas, Florida, California, Washington D.C., etc. She attended a local Florida college before furthering her studies at the University of Houston. From the University of Houston, she graduated with honors receiving a degree in Business Administration majoring in Marketing and minoring in Asian Studies. Throughout her college years, she has always received various scholarships and worked part-time.

Since graduation, her resume included companies such as The First American Corporation – Title and Settlement Division, American Title Company, Renaissance Healthcare Systems, and JPMorgan Chase – Worldwide Security Services Division.

In 2007, Amy returned to Taiwan. Because of her continued interest in Asian culture and Buddhism, she began working in related fields. Currently, she is working at Justdothat Production Company engaging in areas of public services, Buddhism, and entertainment production.

Lead ― Dong Yu Huang 黃東裕 (The Blind)

Praised by Master Venerable Lien Chan as “Pianist of the Pyramid Apex,” Mr. Wong is an outstanding classical concert pianist and a miracle of the Taiwan classical music circuit. Famed as the “Beethoven of Taiwan,” one would never have guessed that he was blind from listening to his music. It imparts his unique interpretation of life; it’s essence as seen from the heart. Notable stops on his concert tours included countries such as Holland, Belgium, UK, France, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Canada. In 1997, he was awarded the Chinese Five-Eyes Association Outstanding Vision Impaired Persons Award. Also within that year, he became the first visually impaired concert pianist to perform solo at the National Concert Hall. He has toured multiple provincial cultural centers around Taiwan as well. In 1999, under the sponsorship of The Chinese Five-Eyes Association, he attended the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts to further his development. By overcoming the dual hardships of language and sight, he made what seemed like an impossibility possible. Christiane Karajeva, a professor at the University, was enchanted by his abilities and expressed that “.Mr. Wong’s piano techniques are mature with a musical depth that does not differentiate between the seeing and the blind, instead is a musical express of the heart.” Through an incredibly difficult collaborative effort with the National Philharmonic Orchestra in the year 2000, a joint concert was given. It won rave reviews and had amazing resonance. It also gained him the impressive Forth Annual Golden Eagle Award given by the Ministry of the Interior. In 2004, he was also a nominee for the Golden Melody Award in the classical music category.

Vice Lead ― Wen Shin Ho (The Blind)

Vice Lead - Wen Shin Ho

Graduating top of his class at the Chinese Cultural University Western Music division, Mr. Wen Shin Ho majored in violin. He also studied piano under the German master Thunell and our very own Taiwanese professor Chun Ren Lee. With a musical style of romantic grace, he often toured with Hwa Kang Musical Group in his school years accepting invitations to places like Hong Kong, China, Japan, Korea, Canada, United States, etc. Positive reviews followed in the wake of his performances. In 1995, he successfully held his first ever Chinese Five-Eyes Concert as the featuring performer. Following that achievement, he was awarded the Chinese Five-Eyes Association Outstanding Vision Impaired Persons Award in 1998. What’s more, The Chinese Five-Eyes Association then invited him to tour and performed for children stricken with cancer and senior citizen facilities in Canada. He also received the impressive honor of winning the Sixth Annual Golden Eagle Award given by the Ministry of the Interior in 2002. Currently, he is both performing as a concert violinist and teaching in his spare time.

Member – Yu Shin Liu (The Blind)

Member - Yu Shin Liu

Graduate of the Chinese Cultural University Chinese Music division, he is an expert in wind instruments. Tutored under the masters Wu Kong Lu and James Chen, he is highly proficient at illuminating the essence of traditional Chinese music. In 1990, he further refined his skills by studying under the “Flute Master” Xun Fa Yu in Shanghai as well as Professor Song Ting Zhao. Furthermore, he also received tutorage from the expert in Mongolian wind instruments Professor Chen Lee and Mr. Shija Huan the authority on Northern wind instruments. He received the Chinese Five-Eyes Association Outstanding Vision Impaired Persons Award in 1999. Also within that period, he joined with The Woodpecker Band, Hillary Choir, and The Chinese Five-Eyes Association Musical Ensemble. In 1997, he won rave reviews for his tour around New Zealand, Australia, and Malaysia via invitation by their Asian Culture Associations.

Member: Yu Xia Zhang

Member - Yu Xia Zhang

Graduate of Taipei School of the Visually Impaired, Ms. Yu Xia Zhang is smart, intelligent, and possess a great love for music. She is both a talented pianist and a highly gifted singer. With a voice that is not only beautiful, but clear and far reaching, she was awarded first place in the Singing Competition of the Physically Disabled last year. Her pianist abilities have also won her rave reviews along the way. Lastly, we believe Ms. Zhang is a youth that possess great potential for growth and endless possibilities for the future.

Musician: Cao Xia

Musician - Cao Xia

Ms. Cao Xia is a member of the Dong Tribe and graduated Guangxi Arts Institute's Music School in July of 1986. Her impressive repertoire includes: senior middle school teacher (associate professor), member of the CIOCM, member of the Chinese Chorus Association, member of the Guangxi Musicians Association, Vice Chairman of the Liuzhou Middle & Elementary School Chorus Society, and Director of the Liuzhou Chorus Association. In addition, she has also been twice recognized by the China Cultural Information Ministry and The State Administration of Radio Film and Television with an "Exemplary Teacher and Instructor Award"; three times awarded the Guangxi Outstanding Musical Cultivator Medal; and placed second in the Guangxi Second Annual Music Teacher Basics Contest. Out of her students, 62 have placed first in local and national music competitions and 21 have been accepted into various Art Institutes. In 2001, she came under the teachings of Master Venerable Lien Chan. She was deeply moved by Master Lien Chan's continuous, compassionate caring of the physically or mentally challenged. It was under her influence that Ms. Cao Xia began investing her time into social services, caring for the physical or mentally challenged, the elderly, and such. The community has given nothing but warm, high praises for her.

Guest Performer Dr. Shiva Prasad

Dr. Shiva Prasad

Dr. Shiva Prasad got very much interested in Music, especially Classical Music, from childhood. He learnt the South Indian Percussion instrument – Mridangam, from the age of six. He got his advanced training in Mridangam under the Late Sundaram Iyer. He has won many prizes in Mridangam competitions during his school days and has performed in many concerts/programs in India and Malaysia.

He found a passion for the North Indian Percussion instrument – Tabla and started practicing Tabla from his college days. He also has performed on few other percussion instruments like Ghatam, Naal, Dholak.

Dr. P. Shiva Prasad, a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery (B.A.M.S.) qualified as an Ayurvedic Physician after 6 years of intense study with the Ayurveda College, Coimbatore, under the Medical University, Chennai. He has a strong traditional background in Ayurveda, being the sixth generation in his family to practice Ayurveda.

Presently he is the resident Ayurvedic Physician in Ayur Centre, Ipoh, since Jan 2003.

Guest Performer:Joshua Ng Jin Ho

Joshua

25th August 2008

Born in Ipoh, Malaysia, 10 year old Joshua Ng Jin Ho received his first piano lesson at the age of 5 under the tutelage of Miss Khen Seow Yoke and it was immediately discovered that he has perfect pitch. Soon after, at the age of 6, he made his debut before an audience of over a million and was captured live on national television performing piano accompanying Miss Francisca Peters who sang at the open air national month celebration concert 2004 in Ipoh. Thence, he continued performing piano in concerts and events.

Last year he completed his piano grade 8 (ABRSM) examinations. In the same year, he took home gold and three silver awards from the Malaysian Youth Music Competition 2007. He received the ‘OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD’ for excellence in piano performance from the Prime Minister Y.A.B. Dato’ Seri DiRaja Abdullah Bin Haji Ahmad Badawi. Recently, he took home another two more gold and a silver award from the Malaysian Youth Music Competition 2008, then and there he was invited to perform at the Patron Awards Performances Concert.

He attended master classes under Mr. Kok Kee Boon (Malaysia) and Miss Angeline Bell (U.K.) and is currently studying diploma in piano under Miss Joyce Ho.

Guest Performer (客串演出者) Dr. C.Radhakrishnan

Dr. C.Radhakrishnan

Dr. C.Radhakrishnan was born in a musical family in Kerala, India. He got his training in Carnatik Music, from the age of 13, when he began carnatic vocal training under Professor Omanakuttiyama. He learnt to play the flute under Guru B. Sasikumar. Being a flutist, keyboard Player and Music Composer, he has composed several songs for music albums. As a keyboardist, he has assisted and written scores for music albums and filmy back ground music.

He developed a passion for music as well as science from a young age. He studied Ayurveda and acquired his Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine, B A M S degree from Ayurveda college, Trivandram, Kerala.

He had been doing solo carnatic music performances in India. He is doing music therapy with carnatic music in Kuala Lumpur. He has developed a Music CD on relaxation.
Dr. C.Radhakrishnan is practising as an Ayurvedic physician in Kuala Lumpur.

Guest Performer (客串演出者)Miss Joyce Ho Yin Fun

Joyce Ho

JOYCE HO started learning the piano at the age of three. In 1994, she took pari in an International Piano Competition “Virtuosi Per Musica di Pianoforte” in Usti, Czechkoslavakia and emerged among the 8 Semifinalists. After completing her education in 2000, she went to Munich, Germany to pursue music under Prof. Franz Massinger, a well-known concert pianist and also Professor in the “Hochschule fuer Musik und Theater Muenchen” for 2 Years. In August 2002, she was awarded a full scholarship in “Hochschule fuer Music und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Main”. Her Piano Teachers were Prof. Oscar Vetre, Wigbert Traxler and Prof. Herbert Seidel. She obtained her Masters for Music Pedagogy and Piano Performing in March 2007.

She has been invited to perform in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Scandinavia, London, Malaysia and Singapore. Her exposure in Germany also included chamber music classes under Prof. Angela Merkel and summer masterclasses in Mozarteum University, Salzburg under Professors Franz Kaemmerling, Peter Feuchtwanger, Paul Badura-Skoda and Andras Hamary. At present, she is lecturing in UCSI (University College Sedaya International), UPM (University Putra Malaysia), and UM (University Malaya) while she also gives private lessons in Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh.

PUCCINI 150

Puccini 150

A Gala Concert in celebration of Puccini's Birth-year

Presented by The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Choir

Sponsored by The MUI Group

Supported by The Embassy of Italy

Date : 28th August, 2008
Time : 8pm
Venue : The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall
No 1, Jalan Maharajalela Kuala Lumpur
Tickets : RM50/RM70
Ticket Hotline : 012-661 7654 (Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm)



2008 marks the 150th birth anniversary of the renowned Italian opera composer Giacomo Puccini, whose operas have long been regarded as the most popular in the repertoire and are frequently performed in opera houses around the world.
To commemorate this anniversary, Artists Platform is presenting a concert dedicated to the heroines of Puccini, who mesmerize audiences with their heart-rending vulnerability. In all of Puccini’s operas, these frail creatures live with all their hearts for love and die tragically through illness (Mimi, Manon), heartbreak (Anna) or suicide (Butterfly, Tosca, Liu and Sister Angelica).
The concert programme comprises arias and scenes from Puccini's operas such as Le Villi, Manon Lescaut , La Boheme, Madama Butterfly, Tosca, Gianni Schicchi, Suor Angelica, La Rondine and Turandot. The roles of the heroines will be performed by sopranos Li Hong, Vivian Li, Tan Khar Gee, Ang Mei Foong and an ensemble of female voices, all accompanied on the piano by Kok-Ting Chong.

Concert Programme

Se come voi – Le Villi
Ancora un passo– Madama Butterfly
Un bel di – Madama Butterfly
Si mi chiamano Mimi – La Boheme
Donde lieta – La Boheme
Quando men’vo – La boheme

Interval

Vissi d’arte – Tosca
In quelle trine morbide – Manon Lescaut
Chi il bel sogno di Doretta - La Rondine
Signore ascolta – Turandot
Tu che di gel sei cinta – Turandot
Senza mamma and scena - Suor Angelica
O mio babbino caro – Gianni Schicchi

Soprano
Li Hong
Vivian Li
Tan Khar Gee
Ang Mei Fong

Female vocal ensemble
Tan Kai Jong,
Chan Nyim,
Wong Poh Ming
Tan Hong Peng
Chua Pih Siang
Loong Yoke Kum
Grace Low Kwee Chin
Chiew Sheau Fwu
Lee Yee Wee

Pianist
Kok-Ting Chong

Orchestrator
Ng Chor Guan


A lyric soprano with a sound technique and beautiful high notes, Li Hong was graduated from the Sichuan Conservatory of Music. She has performed extensively around China and most recently in America and Poland. A winner of several singing competitions, she has worked with Professor Lu Hui Juan (Germany), Rao Yu Jian (Shanghai Opera House), Linda Brice and Richard Poppino (America). In 2007 she made her debut as Tosca with the Sichuan Conservatory of Music.

Vivian Li holds a BA Degree in Traditional Chinese Vocal Music from the Harbin University before graduating in 2007 at the NanYang Academy of Fine Arts Singapore. An avid competition participant since young, she has won many competitions including the prestigious Hei Long Jiang Singing Competition and the Chinese Winter Dream Young Singer Singing Competition
Since residing in Singapore, she has performed at the Esplanade Concourse, Victoria Concert Hall and the Lee Foundation Theater. She made her debut with Bangkok opera in 2007 singing the role of Gerhilde in Wagner’s Die Walküre

Homegrown coloratura soprano, Tan Khar Gee was a graduate of the Malaysian Institute of Arts before obtaining her Masters Degree at the Conservatory of China, Beijing. Subsequently she left for Italy to further her studies at the Accademia Lirica Italiana under the tutelage of Maestro Pier Miranda Ferraro and the renowned repetiteur Maestro Roberto Negri, both from the famous opera house Teatro Alla Scala, Milano. In Italy, she actively participated and represented the conservatory in major performances and received excellent reviews from the press. Consequently, she was awarded the Young Vocalist and Artist Certificate.
Since her return to the country in 2004, she has given many recitals in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China to great acclaim.

Born in Kuala Lumpur, soprano Ang Mei Foong started her musical training as a pianist. After obtaining her Bachelor degree from the National Taiwan Normal University, she furthered her studies at the Conservatorio di Musica Santa Cecilia Roma under the guidance of Maestra Rebecca Berg. Subsequently she received a full scholarship to pursue her Master’s at the University of Melbourne. In Melbourne, she studied with Merlyn Quaife.
An active recitalist, Mei Foong has performed in Malaysia, Taiwan, and Australia.


Reproduced by permission from http://artistsplatform.blogspot.com/

RECOMMENDED

Its exceedingly rare to listen to a whole album and discover that every single track on the album is a gem, but thats what you get with Lizz Wright's 3rd album. I cant even qualify that statement as I have all three of her albums and her previous two albums, Salt and Dreaming Wide Awake were masterpieces in their own right. Its impossible to really pigeonhole Lizz Wright as her music is neither truly R&B, jazz, gospel or blues but rather a heady, intoxicating mix. What you do get is an artist who truly deserves every accolade and recognition due to her (but which sadly she probably will never as her music is not considered mainstream enough for the uneducated masses). The album kicks off with the bluesy, spiritual yearning of "Coming Home", moving into the flamenco tinged contemporary soul of "My Heart" a song about a lover's aching desperation perfectly captured by the urgent, pleading chorus repeated over and over towards the end. With a voice as good as hers, the production cleverly allows her voice to take centrestage and instrumentation is kept bare. Songs like "Hey Mann" and "Song for Mia" illustrate this minimalist approach and draw the listener in due to the inherent intimacy of the settings of the songs.


This is Norah Jones with more substance, Joss Stone with more vocal discipline and a tribute to the heartwrenching, intimate, sultry and seductive music Lizz Wright has created. An amazingly talented vocalist and arguably THE album of the year for me.

RECOMMENDED

Before you write this album off as "Oh no! Yet another classical crossover act!?", watch the video of the lead single off their album "Like the Sun" and then make up your mind. I was trawling the internet in the wee hours night typically as thats when everyone in my house is asleep and I come awake and also when I have the time to research and listen to music. I came across RyanDan (the name of the band incidentally is rather unoriginally the combination of the two brothers names, oh and they are identical twins as well) and upon listening to "Like The Sun" was instantly drawn to look into their music further.


After delving further it became apparent that this was actually not a classical crossover album at all but rather an album of well crafted and well sung songs by two very talented individuals. Apart from "Like The Sun" other highlights include "The Face" with its sparse piano and strings arrangement underscored by a choir in the background and the achingly beautiful and heartfelt "In Us I Believe". Unfortunately, other tracks on the album such as "Wind Beneath My Wings" and "I'll Be There" serve only as filler although their take on "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables deserves a special mention here although I still feel its meant more for a solo voice rather than as a duet. The brothers switch impressively from falsetto to baritone showcasing their classical training throughout the album. Definitely an album worth purchasing if you can find it in Malaysia!

THE ANGER IN ERNEST AND ERNESTINE

Sylvia Wong and City Ballet proudly presents

The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine

Directed by: Sylvia Wong Featuring: Jacqueline Thong and Xavier Fong Music by: Christopher Tse and Kevin MacLeod

Ernest and Ernestine fall in love.
Ernest and Ernestine marry in haste.
Ernest and Ernestine live in a basement.
Ernest and Ernestine drive each other crazy!

Ernest and Ernestine fall in love swiftly and marry quickly. They begin their married life in a cramped basement apartment. Each partner, however, possesses little quirks that drive each other crazier by the day! Although genuinely and deeply in love, they allow embers of resentment to ignite into anger which burns brighter and hotter. This fire festers until the two are literally prepared to kill each other!

Venue: City Ballet Blackbox
Date: 7 - 9 August
Time: 8pm

Contributions of minimum RM 5 for entry
Floor Seating

Limited seats per show (40 pax max)

WARNING: RESTRICTED TO 18 AND ABOVE ONLY!

Please call 012-515-2075 for admission details.

RECOMMENDED

Sigur Rós
Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust

The fifth studio album by Icelandic band Sigur Ros sees them moving away, albeit not too far, from their trademark electric symphonic style. A departure which may not sit too easily with diehard Sigur Ros fans but one which should win them many new ones. Also, in a departure from the norm, the album features the band's first ever song performed in English entitled "All Alright" which brings the album to a close. For those not familiar with this band, their previous albums have all been in Icelandic and Vonlenska ( term which was coined to describe the gibberish sung by the band and springs from the song "Von" a song on their first album of the same name where it was first used). I have every single one of their albums and was entranced when i first discovered them. How would i describe them? Delicate, rousing, passionate, intimate, melancholic, bittersweet, wistful, lush, ethereal, theatrical...If you have never had the opportunity to listen to this wonderful band, you dont know what you are missing!

For a better review of the album, the following review is taken from BBC Music:-

"Whether or not Sigur Ros' fifth album will be the commercial breakthrough some are hoping for is, in many ways, a moot point. It's a thing of beauty and that's all we really need to know. But what else to make of an album that has already been variously deemed an uncharacteristic blast of Icelandic sun and music to die in a blizzard by? Perhaps the clue lies in the title of the first track, Gobbledigook. For those unfamiliar with Icelandic, the lyrics sound, as ever, utterly mysterious, and like the best glossolalia, this music is open to a variety of interpretations.

What you hear in these eleven tracks conjures eclectic feelings; a salmon spawning upstream; a grandmother climbing a mountain; a schoolchild in a dream classroom; sleepy, awake, like a grail knight, weightless, ascending, bursting, relieved, dead, happy. And it will no doubt be different for each listener, perhaps even each listen. The last song is actually sung in English, but by this point that sounds as strange as anything else.

More a development than a departure, the album blends a lighter, more dynamic approach with out-there creative impulses. Produced by Flood and assisted by a string quartet and brass section (as well as, on Ara Batur, the London Sinfionietta and the London Oratory Boys Choir), the album was recorded in its entirety this year: impressive speed, reflected in the joyous, unfettered arrangements and the sheer plasticity of the music.

Possibly, if Sigur Ros had intended to take over the world, they might have translated their album title into its English version: “With a buzz in our ears we play endlessly”. Possibly not. No matter; this music to live - and die - by; as good on the bus or the school run as it would be watching the Northern Lights. Sigur Ros remain in a wonderful universe of their own."

By Tim Nelson

Submitted by Gavin Tang

MUSIC OF THE NIGHT

The PSPA International Ensemble is back again come 15^th August 2008 after its sold-out concert last year. Music Of The Night will feature 8 musicians from South Korea (1), Hong Kong (2), USA (2) and Malaysia (3). They will play 3 of the more well-known chamber works of three composers of different nationalities – Dvorak (Czech), Tchaikovsky (Russian) and Adolphe Blanc (French):

Dvorak’s String Quartet Op. 97, “The American”

Tchaikovsky’s Andante Cantabile for String Quarter

Adolphe Blanc’s Septet for violin, viola, cello, double bass, clarinet, bassoon and horn.

PSPA International Ensemble aims to provide easy listening and soothing classical music to people from all walks of life and also to inspire and motivate young local music enthusiasts. The ensemble plays the standard western classical instruments of strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass), winds (flute, clarinet, horn) and piano.

Call the office at 05-5487814 for tickets to a truly international musical journey that promises to be as good as its last sold-out concert!

DAVID LEUNG (Hong Kong) – Violin

Currently an adjunct professor at the State University of New York in the US, David Leung has performed and participated in music festivals and camps extensively throughout the world. He is a recipient of many awards and scholarships, including the Bloomberg Scholarship, Guinness Flight Music Prize, St David Lodge Music Award, amongst many others. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Master’s Degree & Doctor of Musical Arts from the Eastman School of Music in New York.

NARI HONG (Korea) – Violin

Nari Hong has performed with various orchestras and chamber groups in the US. She has also performed in master classes with renowned violinists. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the Eastman School of Music in violin performance. She was awarded various scholarships at Eastman and is currently a candidate for the Certificate of Arts Leadership Program there.. She is also working as an intern for Special Events with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.

FUNG CHERN HWEI (Malaysia) – Viola

Violinist and violist Fung Chern Hwei received his Bachelor of Music from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and was later sponsored by Yayasan Seni Berdaftar to further his studies at the Aaron Copland School of Music in Queens College, New York, where he received his Master’s Degree.

Chern Hwei has performed with various orchestras, both local and international. He has also won a chamber music scholarship to play his own recital at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. As a recording sessionist he has recorded for various best selling local films and most recently, for French director, Michel Gondry’s new indie short film ‘Interior Design’. Currently residing in New York City, he plays in various groups and projects of non-classical tradition (rock, jazz, hip-hop, etc) as well as in symphony orchestras and baroque ensembles, both on violin and viola.

CARA ELISE MILLER (US) – Cello

Cara is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in cello performance at Indiana University, USA, where she holds the Eva Heinitz Scholarship and is also an assistant instructor there. She has studied and taken lessons with many leading cellists and played in master classes.

As a soloist, she has performed with orchestras throughout Pennsylvania and played under the baton of such famous conductors as Benjamin Zander, Kurt Masur, Sidney Harth and David Effron. As principal cellist of the Alpha Omega Ensemble where she is its current Chamber Music Director, Cara has performed extensively throughout New York and Pennsylvania. She has also served as coordinator of the Ashlawn Opera Chamber Players and has held the position of principal cellist of the Ashlawn Opera Festival for the past three years.

EUGENE POOK (Ipoh) – Clarinet/Music Director

Ipoh born clarinetist and conductor, Eugene Pook, is an established and versatile performer. As a conductor, Eugene has conducted various orchestras internationally and has also studied with renowned conductors in master classes. As a clarinetist, Eugene has performed with the New World Symphony (USA), Northland Symphony Orchestra (USA), Toronto Philharmonic (Canada), Kansas City Philharmonia (USA), Eastman Wind Ensemble amongst others. Upcoming performances include a clarinet recital at the Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Eugene received his Performance Diploma (1^st Class Honors) from the Royal Conservatory of Music (Canada), Master’s Degree and Artist Diploma (postgraduate) from the University of Missouri. He is currently a Doctoral candidate at the Eastman School of Music where he is the conductor of the Eastman Camerata, the musical ambassador of the Eastman School of Music which reaches out and performs at the most prestigious music institutions in the United States.

OH BENG YEW (Penang) – Bass

Oh Beng Yew has been selected to attend various music festivals in Japan, China and South Korea and has performed in master classes with renowned double bassists such as Owen Lee and Jacques Beaudoin.

Beng Yew has performed with orchestra throughout Malaysia and has been the guest player of the National Symphony Orchestra of Malaysia since 2000. He is currently the double bass player of the wind ensemble ‘High Winds’, principal bass of the Penang State Symphony and Chorus (PESSOC) and Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO).

AIMEE MORRIS (USA) – French Horn

Aimee Morris received her early musical training at the Interlochen Arts Academy (USA) as an endowed scholarship recipient. Her musical growth has been further enhanced by attending various summer festivals in the US. She has performed with orchestras throughout the United States, including the Empire State Youth Orchestra and the New York Symphony Orchestra.

Aimee is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Music in French horn performance at the Eastman School of Music where she has been the recipient of various musical scholarships. She is also very serious about her academic pursuits as she is presently also in a premedical program at the University of Rochester.

TIM LEUNG (Hong Kong) – Bassoon

Tim Leung has performed with various orchestras in Hong Kong, Macau and Germany and has played as a soloist in the Hochheimer Kammerorchester of Germany. He has also participated in festivals worldwide, including the Carinthischer Sommer Musikfestspiele in Austria in 2000 and 2001.

Tim studied on full scholarships at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts where he received his Performing Arts Advanced Diploma and Bachelor of Music. After graduation in 2003, he was again awarded full scholarships to complete his studies in Germany. Tim currently teaches at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.

APOLOGIES

I would like to convey my sincere apologies to Perak Heritage Society and Audrey Poh (Organizing Chairman for the PHS Show) for accidentally publishing the wrong poster on this blog. Having spoken to Audrey, I have been made aware of the error and have now rectified the posting and replaced the old poster with the current poster. Thank you Audrey for graciously accepting my apology for my gaffe!




Please note that this is the correct poster.

SYBIL COMES TO TOWN

The Actors Studio presents Sukania Venugopal as SYBIL.

A play in 2 acts based on the book ‘No Dram of Mercy’ by Sybil Kathigesu.

With Doppo Narita as Yoshimura. Adapted by U-En Ng

Directed by Dato’ Faridah Merican

Artistic Director Joe Hasham

Sybil, her husband, and the Captain (her Resistance contact) listen one evening to devastating news of British defeat throughout the peninsula. Suspicion is rife, Japanese collaborators are present in every town, and the feared Kempetai—the Japanese Military Police that is answerable only to itself—is beginning to take an interest in the small town. Sybil, however, refuses the Captain’s advice to flee to the jungle, and instead redoubles her efforts to thwart the Japanese. Before long, Dr Kathigasu is arrested on suspicion of aiding the resistance, and Sybil’s arrest follows soon after.

The story of a national hero, never before told in the form of performing arts! Sybil…

When: 25, 26 & 27 June 2008 @ 8.30pm

Where: Taman Budaya Negeri Perak, Jalan Raja DiHilir, Ipoh

Tickets: RM40 & RM20 (Students) - Free Seating

Enquiries:

Perak Academy: 05-547 8949,

PSPA: 05-548 7814

PHS: 016-534 1018

For Friday 27 June: The Perak Heritage Society Show

Reserved seats at RM60 are available at

PHS Show Box office @ Perak Academy,
28 Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah (Tiger Lane), Ipoh

Enquires:

PHS: 016-534 1018,

Perak Academy: 05-547 8949,

PSPA: 05-548 7814

MICHAELIAN MILITARY BAND PERFORM FOR FRIENDSHIP


DRESSED in their signature deep green and black uniforms, the boys of the Michaelian Military Band look very smart indeed.

Most importantly, when the talented youths get together to perform, they are impressive to say the least.

Whether on the tuba, euphonium, trumpet, trombone, clarinet, saxophone, drum, cymbal, flute, piccolo or the bell instrument, each member plays his role to the best of his capabilities.

This is because despite their differences in background, race or religion, all the band's over 50 members share a passion for music.

"We love it. And when you love something, you put your heart into it," said bandleader Jeffery Chan, 17, when met at the SM St Michael school in Ipoh recently.

He said however that the band had recently been facing problems, such as the lack of new mu-sic instruments and new uniforms.

"Some of our instruments are more than 20 years old. And our uniforms are old too," he said.

Chan said many band members had to purchase their own instruments and uniforms.

"The uniforms cost close to RM300 each. And the instruments can cost up to RM6,000," he said.

To raise funds, the band will be performing in a combined concert entitled 'For Wonderful Friendship' at the SK Yuk Choy primary school in Ipoh from 8pm on June 6.

Tickets are priced at RM10 for students and RM20 for adults and the funds raised will go towards purchasing new equipment and uniforms for the band.

To purchase tickets, call Chan at 016-5308699, Andy Lai at 017-5267076 or Bryan Lee at 016-530 2260.

This article is reproduced from The Star Online

Discover New Music

Greetings everyone! This is my first posting on the PSPA blog and I hope not the last! I was wondering what to write and then decided that I would love to share with PSPA members the joys of discovering new music. Music has always been a passion of mine from the time i was a little boy still holding onto my dads trousers and it only takes a few bars of classic songs such as "Take Me Home Country Roads" by John Denver, "Ticket to Ride" by the Beatles and "Staying Alive" by the Bee Gees to transport me back to Sundays at home sitting on the floor of the living room playing while the radio plays in the background and my dad sits in his Pagoda singlet and shorts reading the newspapers. I was lucky to have parents who both loved music and we spent many a car trip singing along to songs and laughing when we forgot the lyrics and my dad would then make up all kinds of ridiculous lyrics.

Nevertheless, when i subsequently reached my teens, I rummaged through my parents record collection and to my dismay instead of finding such classic rock acts like Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, the Stones, Led Zep, Cream or The Doors found only Abba, Lobo, Jim Reeves and the Bee Gees! When i quizzed my parents on how they could have missed out on the golden generation of rock n roll in the 60's and 70's, their only reply was that it was a tad too loud for them and that they preferred ballads and sentimental love songs. This was when i first realised the diverse catalog of music out there and the divergence in individual tastes and preferences. I cant say I was much impressed by the albums i found in my parents drawer but I have found some shocking musical choices in my own drawers when i rummaged through them recently. Anyone remember, Modern Talking? Tommy Page? Debbie Gibson? Yes, i owned their albums! Shocking but true! Nevertheless, you need to sort the wheat from the chaff and its precisely musical experimentation like this which allows you to grow and discover new types of music.

What do i currently listen to? I honestly would find it quite hard to tell you as I dont just specifically listen to a particular genre of music. I LOVE music. Full stop. Thus, on any given day, you may find me listening to blues, fado, opera, honky tonk, grindcore, trash, be bop, folk, samba, jazz, hard house, dancehall, reggaeton, neo soul, emo and indie chamber pop. After drifting along listening to "music for the masses" hitherto known as chart music for most of my teen years, i had an epiphany aged 19 when i studied in England. All of a sudden, my world was opened to a whole new world of music thanks to interactions with students from around the world. From France, i discovered Edith Piaf, Charles Azzanavour and MC Solaar. From Brazil, Caetano Veloso, Elis Regina and Carlos Antonio Jobim. As it was the mid 90's I was also introduced to the new wave of Brit rock such as Oasis, Ocean Colour Scene, Manic Street Preachers and the Divine Comedy. As my induction into new forms of music began, so did my rapaciousness for learning and discovering more about the music i was introduced to.

The internet has also informed my taste in music. The information age fueled my appetite for new hitherto unknown music and artistes. As it became easier to find music online, my database of music naturally increased exponentially. Initially, tools such as yahoo launchcast and msn music were utilised. Later, more and more websites appeared and some of the websites i frequently utilise in my unquenchable thirst for music are allmusic.com, rolling stone, pitchfork to name a few. One of the most amazing applications i had used was pandora, which was an internet based radio station which would recommend music to you based on the criteria you selected, on ratings that you gave songs and of course by listening to lots and lots of music. Unfortunately, pandora has since closed its subscription to listeners based outside the United States until further notice. Thankfully, I have recently stumbled upon something similar to pandora although it is less discerning, namely Last.fm. If you are interested in learning more, do click on the links provided. All i have to say is that music and the discovery of music is like a ride that is easy to get on but immeasurably harder to get off! But you wont ever regret it.

FLEXITONES CHOIR

FlexiTones

An a cappella ensemble conducted by Mr. Tan Hooi Song and vocally trained by Miss Wai Yinn-Chin is coming to town!

· 3rd Choir Olympics - Gold ll Diploma in the Qualifying Round

Silver Medal in the Final Round.

· 6th International Canto sul Garda Choir Competition - Silver Medal

· 2006 Taiwan International Choral Ensemble Festival – Malaysian delegate

· 5^th World Choir Game July 2008 - Malaysian contestants

Music lovers make a date with them and let them entertain you with popular songs!

They will perform various pieces such as Dahil Saiyo, Bu-Liao-Qing (不 了 情 ), Chili Con Carne, Ye-Lai-Xiang (夜 来 香 ), Kiss The Girl and more!

Date : 14^th June, 2008 Saturday, 7pm.

Venue: Dewan Serbaguna, Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan

For enquires : PSPA : 05 5487814 or WITZI : 012 5088818

Tickets : RM50

RM30 (Discounted for Students & Senior Citizens)

RESERVED SEATS available