Bfm :: 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

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).

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.

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.

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).

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.

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)

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.

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

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. 

Aiwei Foo’s first solo exhibition, “Forever Gone But Always Exists” features six recent works on paper by the artist, as well as a piece of performance art. The exhibition and performance are described as the artist’s avenue in challenging the conventional ideas of time and permanence, and through it she explores the nuances of memory, life, and the eternal imprint that transitory things leave behind on the axis of time. We speak to Aiwei to find out more about her eclectic career as an multidisciplinary artist, and what to expect from this first solo exhibition, which is happening at Suma Orientalis Fine Art.

Kalpana Dance Theatre (KDT) will be presenting a weekend of two solo Bharatanatyam recitals - 'Kaivalyam - a journey to liberation' by Danya Rubinee Lim, and 'Tvameva - to You, I Surrender' by Shobita Nagulendran. Accompanied by a live orchestra, the aim of these double bill solo presentations is to pay obeisance to the roots of Bharatanatyam, which initially started as a solo performing art and was only later popularised as group performances. The dancers featured are both senior dancers of Kalpana Dance Theatre, and both performances will feature entirely new and original choreographies of Bharatanatyam exponent, Shri PT Narendran. We find out what's in store from Artistic Director Shangita Namasivayam, Choreographer Shri PT Narendran, and dancers Danya Rubinee Lim and Shobita Nagulendran. 

From the Cordillera Mountain Range, to hilly Chiang Mai, The Young KL Singers invites us on a mysterious journey, with a selection of choral songs on folklore and folktales from South East Asia. We find out what's in store in this upcoming music concert titled Spice, Magic & Mystique from Mak Chi Hoe (Music Director / Co-Director), and Kathleen Roshene (Vocalist and Section Leader).Image Credit: The Young KL Singers and klpac

Venunadham, A Carnatic Flute-Nadhaswaram Jugalbandhi is a one-night only performance, featuring Carnatic flautist Dr B. Vijaygopal, M. Karthikeyan on the nadhaswaram, mridangist Vijay Natesan and ghatam artiste Krishnaswamy Sankararaman, who are all visiting from India. We speak to Dr Sivabalan Shanmuga Sundram, the co-organiser of the concert from Thrive Talent Tank, to find out more about Carnatic music, what to expect at this concert, and how the show will also be incorporating Malaysian segments into the repertoire.Image Credit: Thrive Talent Tank

From their humble but delicious beginnings as BuburChaCha to what they are now known as, SIX2EIGHT, the acapella gang is back for their 30th anniversary show - 30 Years of Rockapella - featuring both the older and newer active members of the group. Promising hits like Only You, Blue Moon, It’s Now or Never and Stupid Cupid just to name a few, the concert will feature 30 songs in a two-hour acapella concert, and we catch up with Nicole Ann Thomas and James Wong, both members and vocalists from SIX2EIGHT, to find out more.

The klpac Symphonic Band opens its 2024 season with a tribute to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson in the concert titled, This Is It: Tribute to Michael Jackson. Whether with The Jackson 5 or as a solo artist, Michael Jackson gave us countless chart-topping hits, and in this upcoming concert conducted by Cheryl Mah, we get the chance to relive these very hits such as “Thriller”, “Billie Jean”, “Beat It”, “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You”, “Smooth Criminal” and many more all-time favourites. We find out more about what's in store from Chew Sze Gee, a flautist and the Vice President of The klpac Symphonic Band, and Lydia Ong, the concertmistress of the This Is It: Tribute to Michael Jackson show.Image credit: This Is It: Tribute to Michael Jackson

The idea behind the "Can She Do It?" art exhibition was to challenge gender stereotypes and celebrate women's empowerment. Featuring a collection of artworks from various women artists, the exhibition promises to showcase an array of thought-provoking artworks that explore themes of resilience, courage, and determination. We speak to Nazura Rahime, the co-curator of the show and Gallery Owner of A.P. Art Gallery, and Nurul Fatma, also a co-curator of the show, to find out more. 

In the upcoming performance "Late Love" renowned dancer Aman Yap, who is also the Founder & Artistic Director of  Dua Space Dance Theatre, explores his relationship with this passion - dance - after being in the business for 36 years. In the four pieces that make up Late Love, Aman reflects deeply on the profound changes in the dance scene through the years, expressing both awe for the evolving cultural scene, but also concern for the financial challenges faced by artists. He joins us to share how he has translated some of his innermost emotions into the dance pieces we'll be seeing on stage.

Merdu Puisi is a performance by The Poetics Collective within the VerSeS Music Ensembles, that focuses on Malaysian poetry in the Malay language, set to music by Malaysian composers. The performance will feature the work of local poets, including that of the late Sasterawan Negara Usman Awang, and other living Malaysian poets. Aiming to promote the ‘art song’ genre among Malaysians, while also fostering the art of poetry-writing and appreciation of the Malay language, the concert will also feature a selection of 'lagu rakyat' or folk songs arranged in the classical music style. We speak to Scott Woo (Project Director) and Khairunnisa Diyana Md Noor (Soprano) from The Poetics Collective to find out more. Image credit: VerSeS Music Ensembles

Garam is a semi-devised play described as a metatheatre about the thoughts, memories, and experiences of six artists finding connections with each other, amidst their inner struggles with feelings of disconnection and alienation. A piece by Asyraf Syahir, the Founder and Artistic Director of EJKLS Seni, we find out what's in store from Asyraf, and also from cast member Emily Thomas.