THE Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) in conjunction with its 25th-anniversary celebration will hold a concert on January 14, at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) in KLCC.
Led by Resident Conductor Gerard Salonga, the concert will feature a diverse selection of pieces, starting with the festive overtures of Shostakovich's Festive Overture and Berlioz's Roman Carnival.
The audience will also be treated to Hisaishi's waltz from the 2004 animated film ‘Howl's Moving Castle’ and the infectious melody of Rodgers/Hammerstein's Carousel Waltz from the Broadway musical ‘Carousel’.
Throughout the evening, the MPO will also perform Khachaturian's Masquerade Suite, Strauss's famous operetta ‘Die Fledermaus’, and Monti’s melancholic Csárdás.
Adding to the celebration, the orchestra will present light classics such as Fiddle Faddle and Belle of the Ball by Anderson, Dvorak's carefree Eighth Symphony, and Massenet's Thaïs Meditation, featuring a solo violin.
Salonga has held the position of resident conductor of the MPO since 2019 and has previously served as assistant conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and music director of the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra in Manila.
Salonga has worked with esteemed conductors, such as Jaap van Zweden and Leonard Slatkinand has conducted a diverse range of orchestras from across the region, including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Philippine Philharmonic.
He has also collaborated with a range of artists from different genres, including Lea Salonga, Regine Velasquez, and The Beach Boys.
Salonga is the music director of the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth and has upcoming engagements with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.
He has received many accolades for his contributions to music, including The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) award and the SUDI National Music Award.
As a leading orchestral ensemble in Southeast Asia, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) is widely recognised for its dynamic performances and dedication to music education.
Established in 1998, the MPO calls the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) concert hall in Kuala Lumpur its home base. The ensemble offers a diverse array of concerts throughout the year, spanning from traditional classical repertoire to contemporary and cross-genre collaborations.
The MPO is committed to fostering the next generation of musicians in Malaysia through various educational programs aimed at engaging young audiences. Comprised of local and international musicians, the orchestra is led by conductors of various backgrounds.
Ticket purchase information is available on the MPO website or at the box office centre at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in Kuala Lumpur. – The Vibes, January 12, 2023
