BE immersed with a rare musical offering when the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) performs contemporary works by popular composers like Tan Dun, Brett Dean, Levin and MacMillan at 8.30pm on July 5 in Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP), KLCC, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

Led by associate conductor Kevin Field, the MPO will perform Britannia composed by MacMillan, Blur by Levin and Death And Fire — Dialogue With Paul Klee written by Academy Award-winner Tan Dun.

The MPO will also collaborate with Australian violist Brett Dean who will present his own composition Viola Concerto.

Dean was a member of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra before he became a composer and worked with respected conductors such as Sir Simon Rattle, Markus Stenz and Daniel Harding.

Much of his work draws from literary, political or visual stimuli, including a number of compositions inspired by paintings of his wife, Heather Betts.
All tickets are priced at RM35.

There will also be a chamber concert by the ensemble from the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) at 3pm on July 6.

The ensemble will perform Bach's Trio Sonata In D Minor, Tittle's The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Prokofiev's Sonata For Two Violins (Op. 56) and Beethoven's String Quartet No. 13 In B Flat (Op.130).

All tickets are priced at RM10.

At 8.30pm on July 7 and 8, Egyptian musical splendour arrives at DFP when percussionist Hossam Ramzy and his seven-piece ensemble perform.

They are joined by his belly dancer wife Serena Ramzy.

Born in Cairo, Hossam learned the Egyptian tabla under the tutelage of leading Cairo music teachers.

Soon, the distinctive sound of Hossam's Arabian string arrangements and percussion caught the attention of Peter Gabriel. He was invited to perform on the albums Passion and Us.

Hossam later developed his skills in both string arrangements and production and has performed, arranged and produced songs for artistes such as Yesim Salkim, Celick Erici, Cheb Khaled, Tarkan, Rachid Taha, Faudel and The Gypsy Kings.

In 1994, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin fame invited Hossam to form a band of Arabian musicians and work on their reunion album No Quarter — Unledded.

This led to Hossam joining them on their historic 1995-1996 reunion world tour.

His extensive discography includes collaborations with Afro-Celt Sound System, Marc Almond, Joan Armatrading, Big Country, Bond, Chick Corea, Anne Dudley, ELO, Boy George, Deborah Harry, Greg Hunter, Jay-Z, Luciano Pavarotti, Rolling Stones, Mary Wilson and Paul Young.

His virtuosity is also demonstrated on scores for film soundtracks which include The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, The Last Temptation Of Christ, The Saint, Stargate, Stealing Beauty and Wings Of A Dove.

Tickets are priced at RM140, RM100, RM60 and RM40. Call 03-2051-7007.