The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) will pay tribute to one of the most revered composers in classical music, Frédéric Chopin, through a two-part festival this year at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS (DFP), Kuala Lumpur City Centre.
The Chopin Festival begins on Saturday, 16 August 2025 at 8.00pm, under the baton of MPO Music Director Junichi Hirokami, and promises a stirring celebration of romantic lyricism and orchestral power. The evening opens with Chopin’s iconic Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor, a work that premiered in Warsaw in 1830 with the composer himself—then just 21 years old—at the piano.
Known for its romantic and introspective qualities, the concerto captures a sense of longing and nostalgia, often described as a musical evocation of cherished memories and beloved landscapes.
Joining the MPO as soloist is Malaysian-born pianist Melody Quah, lauded by the Vancouver Sun as “a poet with titanium fingers who delivers with dazzling intensity.” Quah, an internationally acclaimed performer, has graced stages across Hungary, Canada, England, Australia, Japan, and the United States.
She has performed with major ensembles including the Richmond Philharmonic and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and has appeared alongside prominent musicians such as cellist Michael Kannen and trumpeter Joe Burgstaller.
The Music Continues…
The Chopin Festival continues with a second instalment on Saturday, 11 October 2025 at 8.00pm, featuring Chopin’s Piano Concerto No.2, another beloved and technically demanding work. Spanish virtuoso Martín García García will take the stage as soloist, bringing his acclaimed interpretive depth to the performance.
Complementing Chopin’s romantic piano writing, the MPO will also perform Sibelius’ Symphony No.2, led by guest conductor Rune Bergmann. Often considered Sibelius’ most accessible and emotionally rich symphony, the work will round off the festival with a resonant expression of Nordic grandeur and warmth.
Ticket and concert details are available at the DFP Box-Office.
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