Front Row

The film Living Bach by German filmmaker Anna Schmidt embarks on a journey across six continents, delving into the lives of musicians and singers, who are in one or many ways, profoundly connected to Johann Sebastian Bach's music. All across the globe, individuals of diverse cultures, religions, and backgrounds unite under the spell of Bach's compositions. Through striking visuals and the enchanting sounds of Bach's music, the film reveals the extraordinary relationships these enthusiasts have with his timeless work, showcasing how Bach's music brings joy, comfort, hope, and understanding to people worldwide. This tapestry of diverse voices in the film also celebrates the strength of diversity and the enduring magic of Bach's music that resonates across the globe. The film recently won Best Documentary at the Madrid Film Festival, and is set to be screened right here in Kuala Lumpur, at the end of this month. We find out more about the film from Anna, and also two Malaysian musicians and Bach enthusiasts Lee Hai Lin (Violinist, Founding Member, Wicked Music People) and Dr. David Chin (Founder and Artistic Director of Bachfest Malaysia, Director of the Bach Collegium and Music Professor at Augustana University in Sioux (SOO) Falls, South Dakota, Senior Fellow of the Bach Archive in Leipzig, Germany) who were also featured in the film.

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We're invited to step into the world of passion, betrayal, and tragedy with the KL Shakespeare Players (KLSP), who are proudly presenting William Shakespeare's timeless masterpiece, Othello. Presented in their one-of-a-kind Shakespeare Demystified format, and renowned for their dedication to bringing classical works to life with a contemporary twist, the KLSP team promise us an unforgettable journey through the intricate webs of love and deceit woven within this gripping tale. We find out what's in store from Nurul Sofia (Performing Artist), Lim Kien Lee (Co-Founder & Artistic Director, KL Shakespeare Players) and Lim Soon Heng (Performer, Producer and Executive Director, KL Shakespeare Players).

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We're invited to journey into the enchanting realm of nature's melodies with "Echoes of Seasons," a concert featuring cello soloist Elizabeth Tan's captivating rendition of Haydn's sublime Cello Concerto in D major, and subsequently, under the guidance of Artistic Director Ergys Koni, the stage transforms into a vibrant canvas, as Vivaldi's timeless masterpiece, "The Four Seasons," unfolds. Presented by Kamerata KL in collaboration with the UCSI Institute of Music, we're set to experience the expressive richness of the cello with Haydn's signature wit and charm, and then Vivaldi's lively rebirth of "Spring" to the poignant chill of "Winter,". Elizabeth and Ergys join us to share more.

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Forged by Time: Ono Kang's Visual Diary is an exhibition of 15 art pieces, crafted from a variety of materials, including scrap metal, recycled and upcycled items, and found objects sourced from Georgetown. Each piece narrates its own unique story, offering viewers a glimpse into the artist Ono Kang's life and experiences, and celebrating the beauty of objects often overlooked or dismissed as junk. This solo exhibition is a partnership between Ono Kang and ArtisFair, an initiative spearheaded by renowned Malaysian designer, Dato' Sri Bernard Chandran. Both Ono and Bernard join us to share more about this partnership and solo exhibition.

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Unquiet Thoughts is an art song recital that focuses on poetry that explores the myriad of emotions entangled in the realm of love - matters that keep us awake at night, so to speak. This art song recital showcases a rich selection of poetry spanning millennia and continents, exploring the complexities of human connection and desire. The program includes art songs in English, Mandarin, German, Italian, and French, each carefully curated to offer a diverse and immersive experience. We find out more about this upcoming  art song recital by The Poetics Collective from Scott Woo (Director, Tenor, VerSeS Music Ensembles) and YS Tang (classical guitarist).

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The klpac Orchestra are kicking off their 2024 season with a special program showcasing the renowned compositions of Ludwig van Beethoven. More than two centuries ago, Beethoven debuted two of his most significant works during a single concert, a moment that also marked his final public appearance before succumbing to complete deafness in the ensuing years. Among these works, Symphony No. 5 stands as a pinnacle of musical achievement, its iconic four-note opening motif resonating across classical circles and permeating popular culture. In addition to Symphony No. 5, audiences will be treated to the tender melodies of Piano Concerto No. 4, featuring Dr. Poom Prommachart, and rounding out the program is Beethoven's Egmont Overture, a rare gem among his compositions originally crafted for a theatrical production of the same name. We find out all about this upcoming concert titled Beethoven: His Romance and Fire from conductor Lee Kok Leong, and concertmaster, Lee Hai Lin.

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Tabula Rasa 2024, Choreography: Reset, Reflect, Reimagine is a mixed-bill production featuring new contemporary works by five artists - Chai Vivan, Raziman Sarbini, Zulkarnain Zuber, Nadhirah Rahmat, and Indian Manipur guest Surjit Nongmeikapam. With Creative Production by Imran Syafiq and presented by ASK Dance Company, Tabula Rasa or “blank slate,” begins with the premise that all humans are born with the ability to realise a multitude of possibilities in creativity. This production aspires to challenge preconceived ideas about dance, and we find out what's in store from the Artistic Director of both the company and the production, Prof. Dr. Joseph Gonzales.

Image Credit: ASK Dance Company (ADC)

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Past Lives and Distant Voices is a photography exhibition that explores the concept of anemoia —longing for a time one has never experienced firsthand. Through the lens of photographer Nirmala Karuppiah, one journeys through moments that blur the lines between past and present, reality and memory. We speak to Nirmala, to find out more.

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Titik Garis Bentuk: Drawing as Practice is an exhibition featuring works by 27 contemporary Malaysian artists, who use drawing as a centre in their practice. While traditionally, drawing was seen as part of an artist’s preparatory work for a painting or sculpture, it is now regarded as a medium in its own right. The exhibition examines how artists are redefining the medium by blurring the boundaries between drawing and other art forms including installation, animation, and performance. We speak to Rahel Joseph, the Gallery Director of Ilham Gallery, and co-curator of the Titik Garis Bentuk exhibition, to find out more about how the wide range of works in the exhibition are being used by artists to expand conventional definitions of drawing as mark-making, on a two-dimensional surface.

Image credits courtesy of Ilham Gallery: (Right) CCKua, To Wear Or Not To Wear. (Left) Jalaini Abu Hassan, Bomoh Hujan

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Classical Kung Fu! is described as a cross cultural celebration of music and martial arts. This fundraising concert promises an exciting dive into the mix of classical music and martial arts movie music, and features performances by the Philomusica String Orchestra, and the Philomusica Youth String Orchestra, led by Dr Goh Chia-Chien, the Artistic Director of the Musicians Linkage group of ensembles. We speak to Chien to find out more about this upcoming performance, and also to chat about his own global musical journey, and why he came back to Malaysia to help aspiring musicians address and overcome the common barriers faced by musicians in the classical music industry through Musicians Linkage. 

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