THE Toyota Classics’ 25th anniversary fundraising concert held recently at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas featured dazzling performances by the Covent Garden Soloists Orchestra from London.
Under the baton of world-renowned Spanish pedagogue conductor Miguel Angel Navarro, the orchestra performed a virtuosic, highly selective repertoire that channelled the vivid drama of the silver screen.
Solo violinist Vasko Vassilev from Bulgaria and piano soloist Pamela Nicholson held the audience’s attention with equal verve. The evening was a melange of colour and sound, and did not disappoint the rapt audience which included the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia, Dr Makio Miyagawa.
The UMW Toyota Motor aims to expand the frontiers of classical orchestra. “We are especially humbled at how the Toyota Classics programme has positively transformed thousands of lives over the years,” says Datuk Ismet Suki, president of UMW Toyota Motor.
At its silver jubilee, it was obvious the Toyota Classics has truly come into its own.
With a long list of orchestras under its belt, the Toyota Classics has raised more than RM7 million to benefit close to 60 charitable and non-governmental organisations. Proceeds from this year’s ticket sales and corporate donations amounted to RM425,000. The funds were channelled to four charitable and non-governmental organisations.
The Lung Foundation of Malaysia will utilise the funds for the purchase of respiratory support equipment for patients who cannot afford this equipment, while the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia will acquire a van for mobile health screenings.