THERE has been growing interest among Malaysians on early classical music from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Groups, such as Wicked Music People, have sprung up in its wake.
Says ensemble member Lee Hai Lin: “We are one of the few, if not only, ensembles in Malaysia focusing on that period.”
Set to perform at OperaKUL for the second year running as part of the MAPFest 2017, Lee adds: “The ensemble’s aim is to humanise the music we love by bringing it out of stuffy, expensive concert halls and into more accessible and casual spaces, such as cafes and pancake parlours, to be enjoyed by people from all walks of life.”
CLASSICALLY EASY LISTENING
Accessibility is a key factor in getting people interested.
The group comprises Lee on baroque violin, Kenneth Lim (violins), Lee Kok Leong (viola), U-En Ng (viola da gamba — played in-between the legs like a cello) and Ibrahim Aziz (viola da gamba/harpsichord/keyboard).
Its Facebook page also states that the ensemble currently includes Ian Lim on harp, Ong Ket Wei (contrabass), soprano Yiling Chaing and bass-baritone Chi Hoe Mak (bass-baritone).
“Most of us have careers outside of music. The ensemble is made from a mish-mash of musicians who have an interest in early classical music so the members range from an 18-year-old music student (harpist) to a full-time instrument maker (double bassist),” says Lee.
Wicked Music People is named in honour of the Wicked Pancake Parlour in Kuala Lumpur, where it first came together at the end of last year. It seeks to provide a platform in Kuala Lumpur for the performance of vocal and instrumental music of the late Renaissance and Baroque on period instruments (where possible), and are guided by modern sensibilities and a commitment to freedom of expression while remaining true to the music.
OPEN AND COLLABORATIVE
“We collaborate closely with other groups, particularly Pro Musica (based in George Town, Penang), and often prepare our own performance editions based on manuscript sources, which we are happy to share although they are tailored specifically to our unique needs in terms of instrumentation and key,” says Lee.
They also try to inculcate the use of period instruments whenever possible.
Lee adds: “We have two baroque violins on loan from Datuk Seri Lim Chong Keat in Penang that we use for our performances and a viola da gamba (currently the only one in Malaysia).”
OperaKUL promises a weekend of opera and classical music, performances, workshops, talks and open-air opera screenings.
Other featured performers include maestro Nicoletta Conti, the Gaudeamus Youth Chamber Choir, the KL City Opera Chorus and the Universiti Putra Malaysia Orchestra.
After Opera KUL, Lee says Wicked Music People intends to continue hosting or performing early music chamber music every few months at the Wicked Pancake Parlour, located upstairs of the Yellow Brick Road cafe in Damansara Heights.
OperaKUL 2017
When: April 1-2, 2pm to 10pm
Where: Black Box, Publika, The Square, Bridge at Blue Zone.
Admission to the festival is free with a minimum donation for performances.
Tickets available for sale at the venue.
Visit: www.klcityopera.com/