Date: 8 & 9 May 06 (Mon & tues)
Time: Starts 8.30 p.m
Venue: Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, Petronas Twin Tower, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur.
Reservations: Tel: 03-20517007,
Admission: RM 40, RM 60, RM 100, RM 140
Dress Code: Long-sleeved batik or lounge suite. No jeans, shorts, T-shirts, sneakers and slippers allowed at any time.



Taken from the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) website :



The master of the sarod, Amjad Ali Khan, brings unparalleled virtuosity of this magical North Indian instrument to Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS. In a career spanning 50 years, Amjad Ali Khan has performed in the world’s most prestigious halls, including London ’s Royal Festival Hall, the Theatre de la Ville in Paris and the Sydney Opera House.

Amjad Ali Khan is accompanied by his sons, Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan; the seventh generation in the family to play the sarod. Together, Amjad Ali Khan and his sons accompanied by tabla player Sandeep Das integrate the spirituality and expressiveness of their musicianship into a truly inspirational experience.

The London Times called them “a 57-string three-man symphony orchestra”. Come, listen and discover why the Khans enthral audiences all over the world.

With Amjad Ali Khan - master of the sarod, Amaan Ali Khan - sarod, Ayaan Ali Khan - sarod , Sandeep Das - tabla expect beautiful indian classical music.

Tickets can be purchased at the box office or via telephone or e-mail dfp_boxoffice@petronas.com.my

Read more about Amjad Ali Khan here.

Links :
Malaysian Philharmonic Ochestra
Amjad Ali Khan Website

“Amjad Ali Khan is one of the undisputed masters of the instruments. The sarod has deep, meaty notes but can then ascend to Himalayan heights” - London Evening Standard, 2002

If you're wondering what is a sarod, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia states that it is an Indian classical musical instrument which probably originates from the Senya rebab, an Indio-Persian instrument played in India to the 19th century. It is a 25-stringed lute-like instrument, whose body is hand carved from a single block of tun (Indian Mahogany) or teak wood, with a steel fretless finger board. The bridge rests on the belly of the instrument which is covered in goat skin. It is played with a plectrum or jaba made of coconut. Four of the strings are melody or playing strings, three are rhythm strings, and the rest are sympathetic and jawari strings, all made of metal.

The lack of frets and the tension of the strings makes it very technically demanding to play, as the strings must be pressed hard against the finger-board. There are two schools of sarod playing, one where the tip of the finger nails are used to stop the strings, thus certain strength and stiffness of the finger nails is a prerequisite for accuracy of pitch, and the other using the fingers to stop the strings against the finger-board. The technique which uses the finger nails produces a ringing tone to the sarod as against the flatter tone produced by the finger technique.

Sarod representations have been found in carvings of the 1st century in Champa temple and also in paintings in the Ajanta caves. It is similar to the Rabab of Afghanistan and Kashmir. The instrument was modified by Amir Khusru in the 13th century. Ustad Ali Akbar Khan also changed the shape to improve the tonal quality.

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Date: 24 & 25 Apr 06 (Mon & Tues)
Time: Starts 8.30 p.m
Venue: Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, Petronas Twin Tower, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur.
Reservations: Tel: 03-20517007,
Admission: RM 55, RM 110, RM 160, RM 210
Dress Code: Long-sleeved batik or lounge suite. No jeans, shorts, T-shirts, sneakers and slippers allowed at any time.



Taken from the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) website :



Branford Marsalis rededicates himself to classical music as he joins the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) as soloist on Debussy’s Rhapsody for alto saxophone and Copland’s Clarinet Concerto. The MPO, under the baton of guest conductor Justin Brown, also performs compositions by Ravel, Copland and Stravinsky. Brown, one of Britain’s leading young conductors, has worked with the world’s top orchestras and has become renowned for his operatic repertoire.

The program for the night, RAVEL's Mother Goose Suite, COPLAND's Clarinet Concerto, DEBUSSY's Prelude to “L'Après-midi d'un faune” and Rhapsody for alto saxophone and STRAVINSKY's Pulcinella.

With Justin Brown, Britain's leading young conductor and the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) sharing the stage with Branford Marsalis, this classical outing looks like a very promising event.

You can purchase tickets via telephone and also online via the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) website.

Links :
Branford Marsalis Website
Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) Website

Enjoy an enticing classical music rendezvous with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) and witness the virtuosity of renowned conductor Eiji Oue in two sets of dazzling concerts at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS.

Japan-born Eiji Oue returns to the DFP stage after his successful collaborations with the MPO in season 02/03. He has conducted prominent orchestras like the New York and Los Angeles philharmonics, Philadelphia Orchestra, Spanish National Orchestra and Swedish Radio Symphony. He has also appeared at the Ravinia, Tanglewood, Grand Park, Wolf Trap, Great Woods and Midlands music festivals.

Oue’s first set of concerts with the MPO will present an all-American jazz influenced programme like Barber’s Overture to School for Scandal (Op.5), Gershwin’s An American In Paris and Bernstein’s popular Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. The MPO will collaborate with piano virtuoso Simon Mulligan to present Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F.

These performances are scheduled on Friday, 7 April 06 and Saturday, 8 April 06 at 8.30 p.m. and Sunday, 9 April 06 at 3.00 p.m.

Pianist Simon Mulligan performs and records internationally as a soloist and chamber musician. He has collaborated with renowned artists like Lynn Harrell, Dame Shirley Bassey and Joshua Bell (whom he performed with at DFP in season 04/05). He has performed in New York’s Carnegie Hall, London’s Wigmore Hall and Hamburg’s Musikhalle.

Oue will continue to conduct the MPO the next weekend. This time, the MPO will weave magic with repertoire like Bernstein’s Overture to Candide and also a great Romantic work entitled Symphony No.2 in E minor (Op.27) composed by Rachmaninov. This work contains a timeless clarinet theme. It is a deeply moving of all symphonies with a triumphant climax. The MPO will also collaborate with violinist Cho-Liang Lin to perform Barber’s Violin Concerto (Op.14).

These performances are scheduled on Friday, 14 April 06 and Saturday, 15 April 06 at 8.30 p.m. and Sunday, 16 April 06 at 3.00 p.m.

Violinist Cho-Liang Lin also returns to the DFP stage after his successful collaboration with the MPO in season 01/02. He is lauded the world over for the eloquence of his playing and superb musicianship. Renowned for his appearances as a soloist in major orchestras, he also performs frequently in recitals and chamber concerts.

Be enthralled with the MPO in these magnificent orchestral treats, showcasing the brilliant virtuosity of the MPO.

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Enjoy a unique opportunity to savour the sumptuous delights of the Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS’ Klais Pipe Organ in a free lunchtime recital on Saturday, 15 April 06 at 1.15 p.m. with Resident Organist Dr Marc Rochester. With a career spanning four decades, he has been hailed as ‘a master musician and a magician at the organ’ by the London Evening Standard.

This time around, Dr Marc Rochester will collaborate with a Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra trumpeter, John Bourque in a recital themed ‘Trumpet Tunes’. Hear the organ as you have never heard it before. Listen and decide which sounds better; a real trumpet or the trumpet stop on the Klais Pipe Organ, as the two musicians join in the battle of the trumpets!

They will perform Lang’s stately Fanfare (Op.85), Telemann’s Heroic Music, Bach’s Prelude in A flat and Charpentier’s theatrical Te Deum Prelude.

They will also present Stanley’s Voluntary in D (Op.6, No.6), designed to show off various stops found on a typical 18th century English organ.

Also included in the repertoire list is Hovhaness’ atmospheric Sonata for Trumpet and Organ (Op.200). Its gentle, mysterious chords intersperse with free flowing trumpet lines in the outer sections, while in the middle, the mood becomes somewhat more tense and fiery.

Also to be performed is Hollins’ jovial A Trumpet Minuet, designed to display the trumpet stop on a large modern organ.

Tickets are not required for this half an hour recital and you are welcomed to come and go as you please during this informal recital.

Date: Apr 12, 2006 (Wed)
Time: 8.30 p.m.
Venue: Lambang Sari, Istana Budaya, Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.
Admission: RM 35 and RM20 (For Students, inclusive of university students)





THE Malaysian Piano Trio (MP3rio) will be performing Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Trio No. 2 (Op. 1, No. 2 in G Major), John Ireland’s Phantasie and Cecile Chaminade’s Piano Trio No. 1 (Op. 11 in G Minor). For more information, call 03-6203 2718
(Dominic) or 012-913 9789 (Jonathan).

MAKING music imparts such a wonderful feeling that non-musicians, or people who only listen to music, cannot truly understand. It gets even more fun and exciting when you play in concert with more musicians; at the extreme is making music with a full orchestra, which is unbeatable.

Yet, making music in smaller groups is more challenging, if you think about it; not only do you have more to do to get the music out properly, you have to find a proper balance with your partner. In that respect, trios are rather unique.

Piano trios are rather popular, as it is a format that not only occurs in Western Classical music, but also in jazz (usually with a piano, double bass and drums). But although it is relatively common in the West, in Malaysia, you are hard pressed to find such a group. Enter MP3rio (or the Malaysian Piano Trio).



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World-renowned legendary artist, Lorin Maazel, will conduct the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) for the first time at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS (DFP). Malaysian audience will witness this spectacular one-night only performance on Tuesday, 14 March 06 at 8.30 p.m. This Special Event is proudly presented by DFP.

This collaboration is another milestone for the MPO, which to date, has collaborated with prominent conductors like Vladimir Ashkenazy, Sir Neville Marriner, Gennadi Rozhdestvensky, Jahja Ling and Yehudi Menuhin. This collaboration further affirms the MPO status as an orchestra of great calibre in this region.

Lorin Maazel and the MPO will present symphonic works like Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Tchaikovsky’s Romeo And Juliet – Fantasy Overture, and Violin Concerto in D (Op.35) featuring violinist Lidia Baich.

Born in 1930, Lorin Maazel has led more than 150 orchestras in more than 5,000 opera and concert performances. He has conducted throughout Europe, Australia, North and South America, Japan, the former Soviet Union, and also at most international festivals and opera houses including Salzburg, Edinburgh and Lucerne, the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Paris Opera and Covent Garden, appearing with major symphony orchestras.

He became the Music Director of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra in 2002 and they have performed in the US states and Asia, including performances at DFP in season 02/03. Prior to his tenure as Music Director, he has held positions with the Symphony Orchestra of the Bavarian Radio, Pittsburgh Symphony, Vienna State Opera, Cleveland Orchestra and Deutsche Oper (Berlin).

A prominent violinist, composer and recording artist, Lorin Maazel has some 300 recordings to his name.

Among his honours and awards are the Commander’s Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Legion of Honour of France, the Commander of the Lion of Finland and the Ambassador of Good Will by the United Nations.

Violinist Lidia Baich is regarded as one of the most extraordinary young violinists on the international concert scene today. She won the 1998 Grand Prix d’ Eurovision with an outstanding performance of the Vieuxtemps’ Fifth Concerto. +Head of the international jury, Lord Yehudi Menuhin presented her with the title of ‘European Musician of the Year’.

Tickets to watch the special concert by the MPO and Lorin Maazel are priced at RM225 and RM295. DFP Subscribers can book their tickets from 13 to 26 February 06 whereas bookings are opened to the public from 27 February 06 onwards.

The Official Newspaper for this concert is New Straits Times and the Official Hotel is Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur.

Do not miss this rare opportunity to witness the brilliant virtuosity of Lorin Maazel and the MPO, only at DFP!


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ome and enjoy an exciting chamber concert by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) chamber ensemble on Sunday, 5 March 06 at 3.00 p.m. at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS (DFP). The MPO ensemble will present two works and they are Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and a work entitled Trio Sonata No.5 in F composed by Jan Dismas Zelenka.

The Four Seasons, composed by Italian Antonio Vivaldi, has four movements. ‘Spring’ contains elements of the birds welcoming it in joyful tunes, the passing of a thunderstorm and also there is a rustic dance, based on an old Italian dance called ‘Siciliana’. ‘Summer’ begins with a vivid depiction of the oppressive heat of an Italian summer with some lovely nightingale song effects from the solo violin before the storm breaks out in all its fury with flashes of lightning. ‘Autumn’ in Italy is a time of harvesting and relaxation where some extrovert solo violin represents the peasants ‘aflamed by much wine’. Finally, ‘Winter’ contains much shivering in frozen snow with the solo violin representing the icy blast of a biting wind.

The second work to be performed, Zelenka’s Trio Sonata No.5 in F, opens with a fast first movement featuring the composer’s characteristically irregular themes given out in unison before the bassoon sets off on an energetic foray, joined later by two oboes. The oboes entwine around a sorrowful melody in the second movement while the bassoon adds a further note of anguish. The spirit of Bohemian dance informs the playful third movement where the composer springs many delightful rhythmic and harmonic surprises.

This chamber concert is expected to last for an hour without interval. Tickets are priced at RM10 for all seating categories. Bookings can be made by calling the Box Office at 03-2051 7007 or fax 03-2051 7077 or email dfp_boxoffice@petronas.com.my

Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS will host an exhilarating evening of new music as another six Malaysian composers will have their musical dreams premiered as part of the MPO Forum for Malaysian Composers 2. The showcase will be held on Saturday, 4 March 06 at 8.30 p.m. where all six works will be performed by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) chamber ensemble under the baton of its Associate Conductor, Kevin Field. This event is organised by the MPO’s Education & Outreach Programme (Encounter).

The works to be performed are ‘Bamboo Forest’ composed by Teh Tze Siew,
‘Apocryphal’ (Yuzaifullah Yusof), ‘Rimba’ (Ng Chong Lim), ‘Mahsuri’ (Mohd. Yazid Zakaria), ‘’A’ Note Promenade’ (Yii Kah Hoe) and ‘As-Saff’ (Syed Sharir Faisal Syed Hussain).

Composers Saidah Rastam (from Malaysia), Gerard Brophy (Australia) and Fraser Trainer (the UK) selected the six applicants from Malaysians around the world and have been the candidates’ artistic guardians ever since. Forum Director, Kevin Field said, “This is a major opportunity for all six composers to develop their individual voices and through their individual experiences, write something unique for the Malaysian music scene and potentially the orchestral repertoire worldwide.”

In Phase One, the composers have been asked to write for a mixed ensemble of no more that 19 instruments, a challenge in itself, compared to writing for full orchestra that Phase Two offers. “There are basic skills that have to be developed and refined in Phase One before we are confident to let the candidates loose on a larger group,” said Kevin. “Orchestras the world over these days are performing in various guises as quartets, brass ensembles and new music groups and it is essential that we offer this experience to emerging Malaysian composers.”

All the new works are continually assessed through each rehearsal by the panel who, together with the MPO, have a major say in the entire process. All sessions are open to the public who can witness first-hand the behind-the-scenes activities and gain some insights. The open rehearsals are scheduled from 28 February 06 to 3 March 06 from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Kevin continued to add, “Under this microscope, the process can be quite fraught for some as their works and egos are put to the test!”

At the end of the concert, the audience can have their say by voting for their favourite composer. “This is an essential part of the process,” says Kevin, “The composers must never forget that they are part of an entertainment industry and that the audience is a major factor if they are to be remembered next week, let alone the next century!”

At least three candidates will go on to Phase Two and write for a full orchestra. One composer will be potentially selected to participate at the MPO International Composer’s Award in 2008.

Tickets for this concert are priced at RM10 for all seating categories. Bookings can be made by calling the Box Office at 03-2051 7007 or fax 03-2051 7077 or email dfp_boxoffice@petronas.com.my

For further information on the MPO Forum 2, kindly call the Encounter Hotline at 03-2051 7688