Seeing a symphony is awe-inspiring. There’s something about the live experience that just can’t be beaten. You’ll notice how the music ebbs and flows – surging and powerful at some times, delicate and ephemeral at others and everything in between. A slowly pulsating piece can bring on a delightful zen-like dream state, while a moving passage can really tug at the heartstrings.
A visit to the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) is a transformational experience. Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur at the Petronas Philharmonic Hall, MPO embraces a variety of genres ranging from traditional pieces and the classical to the more modern arrangements. One can enjoy captivating tunes such as iconic film scores by the award-winning film composer Hans Zimmer and various anime soundtracks of Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro and Haikyuu!!.
In 2024, MPO will offer a musical journey that spans timeless classics, contemporary performances and groundbreaking collaborations. Ahead, we list down 6 shows happening in MPO that are not to be missed.
New Year Concert
Ensure a good start to the new year with infectious melodies of captivating waltzes and lively polkas that’ll transport you to the grandeur of a Viennese ballroom. Conductor Gerard Salonga takes the audience to heavenly heights with Strauss’ famous waltzes and Jongen’s Symphonie Concertante with the majestic Klais pipe organ.
Date: January 20, 2024, 8.30pm
Get tickets here.
The Father, the Queen, and the King
Led by Japanese conductor Junichi Hirokami, an enchanting night filled with elegant melodies of Haydn’s Symphony No.85, also known as “La Reine” as well as Saint-Saëns’ roof-raising Symphony No.3 await. Let Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances Suite No. 2 transport you back to the Italian Renaissance era through its lush orchestration of ancient lute pieces.
Date: January 27, 2024, 8.30pm
Get tickets here.
Cirque de la Symphonie
For the fourth time, the magic of cirque returns to MPO and will once again mesmerise you with a plethora of exciting performances by its aerial flyers, acrobats, strongmen and jugglers, fused with live orchestral music. Each artist’s performance is professionally choreographed to classical masterpieces, weaving the art of circus and music together seamlessly.
Date: February 2 and 3, 2024, 8.30pm
Get tickets here.
A Valentine’s Serenade
Be swept away by music from the heart with an amorous selection of songs and Broadway masterpieces from Wicked and Phantom of the Opera led by conductor Gerard Salonga. Alongside special guests, vocalists Sean Ghazi and Ida Mariana will enthral lovebirds with romantic renditions during the show.
Date: February 17, 2024, 8.30pm
Get tickets here.
Fantasia Across Dreams – Mozart & Tchaikovsky
For those that love the classics as we do, join conductor Stanislav Kochanovsky as he conducts the MPO in the delightful program of musical treasures, including lively works by Mozart, and Tchaikovsky’s fairy-like, magical Symphony No. 1 nicknamed “Winter Daydreams”.
Date: February 24, 2023, 8:30pm
Get tickets here.
Simfoni Budaya: Keroncong & Ghazal
Experience a harmonious blend of tradition and music as the keroncong and ghazal instruments take center stage during the show. Helmed by Ahmad Muriz Che Rose, legendary singer Datuk Yusni Hamid will be paired with young artists Haziq Rosebi and Asmidar to perform all-time favourites like Sayang Di Sayang, Bisikan Hati, Penawar Rindu and Sri Mersing.
Date: March 2, 2024, 8.30pm
Get tickets here.