DEWAN FILHARMONIK PETRONAS (DFP) and the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) are embarking on their 22nd concert season, Season 2020, with a dazzling line-up of international artistes from the classical music world alongside renowned local artistes, with presentations of timeless masterpieces and various music genres.
This innovative programme is in-line with efforts to make the DFP and MPO brands accessible and close to the hearts of Malaysians, for people from all walks of life.
They welcome Kees Bakels as the MPO Conductor Laureate this season; he is the founding music director of the MPO, and was the central force behind the creation of the MPO in 1998. With this appointment, Bakels will bring the MPO to a whole new level of artistic excellence.
This season, the MPO will continue to present the best in classical music and elevate the arts scene to a higher level. It is anticipated to be a joyful season when the MPO celebrates Beethoven’s 250th birthday anniversary with presentations of the composer’s great music throughout the season, collaborating with violinist Karen Gomyo and Malaysian pianist Ng Chong Lim, among others.
The MPO will also present its fourth Ballet Festival. Previous festivals were overwhelmingly received by audiences in 2013, 2016 and 2018. This time around, the public should not miss presentations of famous ballet works, The Nutcracker and Cinderella, in this two-weekend festival in June.
Following successful presentations in 2015 and 2018, the MPO will once again present Cirque de la Symphonie in February, this time accompanied by a ‘live’ violin aerialist!
Artistes who are making their gracious debuts with the MPO are mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron, pianist Lukas Vondracek, and violinists Marc Bouchkov and Clara-Jumi Kang. All will captivate a new audience with their virtuosity.
Luminaries making a comeback on the DFP podium include conductors Fabio Mechetti, Roberto Gonzalez and Junichi Hirokami.
Also returning to enthral their fans this season are flautist Sharon Bezaly, cellist Istvan Vardai, and horn player Radovan Vlatkovic. MPO Youth Brand Ambassador and pianist Tengku Irfan will also return to dazzle piano music fans with the MPO in June.
On the local front, this season will witness legendary singers Aishah and Datuk M. Nasir collaborating with the MPO in their solo concerts in April and October respectively. The MPO will also pay tribute to renowned composer S. Atan in a special Hari Raya concert themed Senandung Lebaran in June, featuring popular vocalists. All shows will witness the MPO giving symphonic interpretations to our local music legacy.
Adding variety to the season offerings this year, DFP will present a solo concert by pop and R&B group Ruffedge in March and a show themed Malam Ritma Keroncong by Yayasan Warisan Johor in October.
The Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO) will push its music boundaries through its collaborations with famed Indonesian jazz band Krakatau in February and local indie group Hujan in July.
At the same time, the MPO will continue to bring the beauty of its music outside the concert platform to all Malaysians, including the underprivileged, through its Education & Outreach Programme (Encounter) and nurture an appreciation of music among local talents from the MPYO.
Tickets for the new season are currently on sale. This season will also introduce a new subscription programme called ‘Friends of DFP’ which offers irresistible great discounts and benefits.
For more information, visit www.mpo.com.my, where you can view the new digital brochure on the website and download it.
For tickets, call 03-23317007 or email boxoffice@dfp.com.my.