Enjoy the music of ‘heroes and rascals’ and pick your poison with the MPO

The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) continues to enthral its audience in an exciting concert themed Heroes And Rascals on Saturday, 30 March 2024 at 8.30 pm at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS (DFP), KLCC. Valencia-born conductor Roberto Forés Vesses will make his debut at the DFP podium to lead the MPO.

A Special Guest

Vesses has been appointed the Principal Guest Conductor of the English Chamber Orchestra for 2024/25 season. Prior to this, he has led prominent orchestras such as the St. Petersburg Symphony, Prague Philharmonia, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Nagoya Philharmonic of Japan and Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano (formerly ‘La Verdi’).

Moreover, he has also performed at many international music festivals in Tokyo, Monaco and Moscow. A prolific recording artist, he has recorded works by Mahler, Schubert and Schoenberg under reputable labels.

Classic Music

The concert opens with Mozart’s sprightliest Symphony No.32 as the curtain raiser. Composed in 1779, this work bears far more resemblance to the old Italian opera overture compared to his other symphonies.

This will be followed by Brahms’ Hungarian Dances, known for its pure, casual enjoyment. It was from violinist Eduard Remenyi that the composer made the acquaintance of Hungarian gypsy music with its improvisatory nature, fiery performance style and abrupt alternation between slow and fast sections.

Music That Liberates

No doubt this work has indeed sealed Brahms’ popularity in the classical music world. The programme culminates with Beethoven’s mighty Symphony No.3, nicknamed ‘Eroica.’ It was written under the shadow of Napoleon, a heroic leader of freedom and liberty.

Its first public performance took place in Vienna in 1805 with the composer himself conducting. It far surpassed anything of its kind; its harmonic language was highly advantaged for its age with its intensely strong rhythms. Don’t miss this world- shaking masterpiece this March.