Simply Amazing! For the first time, 77 musicians from the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) mesmerized nearly 2,000 audiences at the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra North Malaysia Tour 2019 at the Mu'adzam Shah Hall recently.

The two-hour special concert was led by MPO Resident Conductor, Mr. Gerard Salonga, who had previously led the Philippine Philharmonic, Shanghai Opera House Orchestra and Chorus, Taiwan's The Evergreen Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria and The Bangkok, Sydney and Singapore Symphony Orchestras.

The long awaited moment came when Malaysia’s talented piano player, Tengku Irfan who is the MPO Teenage Ambassador impressed the audience with the work of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No.1.

The magnificence of MPO musicians was also highlighted by classical works such as Bernstein's Overture to Candide and Brahms' Academic Festival Overture.

In addition, the audience was also entertained with local classic songs from the icon of Malay entertainment, the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee through songs such as “Tunggu Sekejap”, “Cindai , a composition from the late Pak Ngah and patriotic songs such as “Tanah Pusaka” and “Putera Puteri”.

Before this concert tour began, MPO held a special concert for school students in the afternoon.

Also present at MPO 2019 concert were His Majesty Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, Sultan of Kedah and Her Majesty Sultanah Maliha binti Almarhum Tengku Ariff, Sultanah of Kedah.

Meanwhile, UUM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Bashawir Abdul Ghani said the selection of UUM as the first university in Malaysia to host the concert was indeed a historical moment for UUM.

According to him, the MPO concert tour attracted many audiences including young people.

"This concert gives a sense of satisfaction as audience can enjoy the wonderful music compositions performed by MPO musicians through live performance, and in fact have the opportunity to discover new experiences of the many classic works they might not have heard before.

The concert also provided the opportunity for the display of the “baju Kedah” which carries the motive of the flora native to the Sintok valley.  The display of the “baju Kedah” hopes to restore the tradition of Kedah culture.

The design of the “baju Kedah” makes use of basic Sintok songket design that carries the motive of the flora found within the vicinity of Sintok campus.