KUALA LUMPUR: A specially curated selection of successful classical pop crossovers will be presented by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP), here on March 16.
Titled The Classics In Pops, the concert will see the MPO led by its resident conductor Gerard Salonga offering a good introduction to those curious about classical music.
With relaxing music and melodious arrangements, new and seasoned audiences can sit back and enjoy familiar compositions that achieved classical pop status due to their uniqueness.
Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 opens strongly with four notes and rises to become a famous motif in Western classical music and a part of popular culture.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Overture To Marriage Of Figaro features upbeat and jovial music which is often performed on its own as part of concert repertoire.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Romeo And Juliet Overture, on the other hand, captures the impossible romantic pursuit of the two doomed lovers that ends in a tragedy.
Edvard Grieg's In The Hall Of The Mountain King From Peer Gynt Suite has cemented its status as a versatile tune that is very much alive and well in this modern era.
Since its debut in 1875, the piece has been used over the centuries, from the Inspector Gadget animated series to movies such as Corpse Bride and How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
Also included in the programme is Antonin Dvorak's Symphony No.9, known as 'New World' for its assimilation of classical and modern music.
Not only does it have transoceanic appeal, but it also possesses musical longevity that appeals to modern, younger listeners. Igor Stravinsky's famed The Firebird ballet will also be included in the evening's repertoire.
Another popular crossover method is through film and Joe Hisaishi achieved this through his highly acclaimed soundtrack of Hayao Miyazaki's beloved award-winning animation, Spirited Away.
An exciting medley featuring One Summer's Day, Nighttime Coming, The Gods, The Dragon Boy, Reprise, and The Return, will be performed to summarise his excellent work.
For more details, visit www.mpo.com.my or follow the MPO's various official social media accounts.