AKASHA

Dear Friends & Art Lovers,

Attached herein is a flyer on the latest contemporary fusion band in town!.....AkashA! who will be performing live in Temple of Fine Arts, Penang on Sunday, 19th April 2009 at 8pm.

Entrance is on a 'pay as you wish' basis.

They will be playing a number of lively fusion pieces such as Bourbon Lassi, Ipoh Hor Fun, Irish Joget and a number of other pieces.

Don't miss the opportunity to catch this band live in Penang as there may not be such an opportunity in the near future. Hope to see you there! Please do contact me should you require any further info.

Regards,

The Management
The Temple of Fine Arts Penang

CONCERTS AT THE PHILHARMONIC IN APRIL AND MAY

April brings not only showers, but also the Shostakovich Symphony No.12 in D minor (Op.112) “The Year 1917” performed by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS (DFP). On May 1- 2, witness the premiere of the MPO-commissioned animation and orchestral score in Lat’s Window to the World. See and hear the familiar kampong boy dance in town and travel around the world.

Ranked as one of the top saxophonists in the world, the Boston Herald describes Joshua Redman as “navigating a constantly changing rhythmscape with the serene intensity that has marked his career”. This 1991 Thelonius Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition winner makes his thrilling Malaysian debut with his trio.

Call the box office at +603 2051 7007 or visit http://www.malaysianphilharmonic.com for more information on booking your tickets for these concerts at DFP.

A NIGHT WITH THE SOPRANOS

DATE : 4TH APRIL 2009 (Saturday)
TIME : 8PM
VENUE : CITY BALLET
CONTACT : 012-515-2075 (Sylvia)

16 and below: FOC
Above 16: Donation of minimal RM5

NB: Please CALL TO CONFIRM seats. Seating is informal.

The doors will close at 8.05 and will not be opened unless there is a suitable interval.

BUATAN MALAYSIA

Young Choral Academy Chamber Choir presents - 'Buatan Malaysia'

Come watch and listen to this young and spirited group of talented singers perform a variety of local Malaysian compositions in an exciting performance that you'd never forget!

Dates
Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 3:00pm
Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 5:00pm

Venue
KL Performing Arts Center(KLPac), Sentul Park

The Young Choral Academy (YCA) Chamber Choir, the result of the merger between the YCA Youth Chamber Choir and the Young KL Singers’ (YKLS) Chamber Choir, will be announcing their arrival in the Malaysian music scene with their debut production, ‘Buatan Malaysia’ featuring arrangements of Malaysian choral music.

The reason for this, as stated by the chamber choir’s music director Susanna Saw is to “find the choir’s identity, because in past productions, both the YCA Youth Chamber Choir and the YKLS Chamber Choir sounded best singing original Malaysian songs and arrangements.” Through this production, the YCA Chamber Choir strives to show the audience that any genre of Malaysian music, be it pop, folksongs or even – yes – patriotic songs can be a pleasure to listen to and perform. For the members, Saw states that this production is to help the performers learn and understand their own country’s music better, and through this develop a love for it.

This production features purely local arrangers, such as Geneviene Wong, Juliette Lai, Wong Shuen Da and the choir’s very own Assistant Music Director Tracy Wong. The audience will be able to enjoy original arrangements of songs that are close to the hearts of most Malaysians, such as Tan Sri P.Ramlee’s Getaran Jiwa and Bujang Lapuk, Sheila Majid’s Sinaran and even a completely different rendition of Jalur Gemilang along with some completely original compositions such as Not Alone Anymore and Tracy Wong’s Walk With Me.

The chamber choir will be working with stage director Melissa Teoh, who lectures at Sunway University College’s Department of Performance & Media. Melissa is also a double nominee for this year’s Boh Cameronian Arts Awards for Best Set Design for the productions Air Con and Hero. This being her first time directing a chamber choir, Melissa voices that this production also poses a challenge for her in the sense that “the approach and process that is to be adopted in tackling a chamber choir performance from a stage director's point of view”. She also feels that this production is worth watching due to “the collaborative efforts of the creative team and the performers in making the productions a sharing of music on a personal level with the audience, and not just the mere presentation of it.”

Armed with a stage director, original arrangements and compositions, the YCA Chamber Choir’s debut production promises a reminiscent night for Malaysians with a twist as the audiences will hear familiar tunes to songs they probably know all the words to in a completely different light and will be introduced to the wonders of our very own Malaysian arrangers. The production will take place at Pentas 2 of the KL Performing Arts Center (KLPac) on the 28th and 29th of March with three shows: 3.00pm and 8.30pm on Saturday and a 3.00pm Sunday matinee show. Tickets can be purchased from the KLPac Box Office (03-40479000) for a flat rate of RM25.

For more information:
Pls email tracy.wong@youngchoral.com or youngchoral@gmail.com

EVENTS AT THE PHILHARMONIC

The highly acclaimed cultural troupe PETRONAS Performing Arts Group brings us the music and dance extravaganza Gema & Rasa on March 4 & 5. While Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, one of Germany's leading orchestras takes centre stage on March 16 & 17 with conductor Ingo Metzmacher, award winning baritone Matthias Goerne and violinist Christian Tetzlaff.


Call the box office @ 03-20517007 or visit http://www.malaysianphilharmonic.com for more information on booking and tickets.

PUBLIC ENCOUNTERS AT THE ANNEXE

2 AND 4 HAND PIANO RECITAL @ THE DOME, MERU VALLEY RESORT

Dennis Lee and Chee Hung-Toh, already a familiar couple in Ipoh, was in town once again with their uniquely signature 2-and-4 hand piano recital. Invited guests at the private concert, hosted by PSPA’s patron and advisor, Dato’ Seri Lee Oi Hian and Dato’ Sandra Lee respectively, was suitably impressed with the light classical pieces of the Romantic Era, augmented perhaps by the summery, balmy night that it was.

One dare say that the uninitiated will have been initiated after such a splendid, effortless presentation which belies Dennis’ and Hung-Toh’s many, long years of experience and dedication to their craft.

Dennis and Hung-Toh currently resides in London but traverses the globe frequently in their playing engagements. Not only do they play their stuff well but know it just as well. Each piece is preceded by a clear description of the music and its composer, easing the listener into the mood of the piece.

Saint-Saen’s Carnival of the Animals with its suite of 14 movements was a refreshing change from the more subdued sonata (Sonata in D, Op 33) of Anton Diabelli, nocturne (No 3, Liebestraum) of Franz Liszt or the polonaise (No 2 in C Minor, Op 40) and ballade (No 3 in A Flat Major, Op 47) of Frederic Chopin. Although a chamber and latterly an orchestral piece, Carnival of the Animals was brought vividly to life that night by the four hands of Dennis and Hung-Toh.

A cheerful end to a halcyon night indeed.

Valerie Chan