The MPO's 'Star Wars: A New Hope In Concert' orchestral series will take place at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS in Kuala Lumpur on May 3 and 4, 2026. Photo: Lucas Film Ltd
The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) has unveiled its 2026 concert season – a crowd-pleasing line-up with something for every listener, from tributes to Malaysian music legends and beloved film scores to bold reinterpretations of classical masterpieces.
While pop concerts may often steal the spotlight these days, classical music lovers will want to watch one date above all others: Oct 24, 2026 when the illustrious Sir Stephen Hough – hailed as one of the world’s finest pianists – takes the stage with the MPO under conductor Junichi Hirokami (MPO music director) for an all-Beethoven programme.
Named by The Economist as one of 20 Living Polymaths, Hough is not only a celebrated concert pianist but also a composer and writer. He was the first classical performer to receive a MacArthur Fellowship and was knighted for Services to Music in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of 2022.
Once you’ve marked that one down, take a closer look at the rest of the season’s highlights. It all begins with the kind of bang only Mozart can deliver – Amadeus Live on Jan 10 – as Milos Forman’s 1984 cinematic masterpiece lights up the big screen at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS, with the MPO under Benjamin Pope breathing life into its score through an orchestral "in-sync" performance.
The MPO then goes familiar big-tent fun with Cirque de la Symphonie on Jan 17 – a fusion of circus and symphony featuring aerialists, acrobats, and jugglers.
Led by conductor Tengku Irfan, this family-friendly concert, offered in both morning and evening shows, marks the MPO’s fifth large-scale collaboration of this kind.
On Jan 24, Tan Sri P. Ramlee’s beloved 1964 romantic comedy Madu Tiga takes the spotlight once more – this time on the grand screen at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS (DFP).
Under the baton of Ahmad Muriz Che Rose, the MPO celebrates this Malaysian classic, uniting black-and-white cinema and symphony in tribute to P. Ramlee’s timeless wit, music, and charm.
Ahmad Muriz will also lead two heartfelt tribute concerts – one honouring the enduring legacy of Datuk Sharifah Aini on June 6, and another celebrating the pioneering spirit of composer Alfonso Soliano on Sept 2. Both concerts promise to be rich musical homages to two towering figures who shaped Malaysia’s golden era of music.
'May the Fourth'
Always a crowd favourite, the MPO’s "Movies in Concert" series also returns this upcoming season with two blockbuster experiences – Star Wars: A New Hope In Concert (May 3 and 4), where light sabers will surely be out in full force on May the Fourth, and Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban in Concert (April 4 and 5), promising a spellbinding journey of magic and mischief.
On July 3 and 4, the Symphonic Ghibli concert makes its highly anticipated return, celebrating the evocative worlds of Studio Ghibli through Joe Hisaishi’s unforgettable scores – from the whimsy of My Neighbour Totoro to the sweeping beauty of Spirited Away.
Last year’s performances sold out even after extra shows were added, a testament to the enduring magic of Hisaishi’s music.
Legendary Tony Award winner Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon fame) will grace the DFP stage on Sept 26 for From Broadway To Disney, reuniting with her brother, MPO resident conductor Gerard Salonga. In this long-awaited performance – her first at DFP – Lea will bring her unmistakable voice to a timeless repertoire, spanning beloved Broadway numbers and iconic Disney anthems that have defined generations.
Malaysian female artistes will also take centre stage in the upcoming MPO season.
On May 9, pop star Shila Amzah marks 25 years in music with a multilingual, genre-spanning showcase backed by her band, while on Oct 17, Jaclyn Victor celebrates two decades in song with orchestral reinterpretations of her greatest hits.
On April 11, multi-instrumentalist Belle Sisoski presents Ethnosphere, an immersive blend of South-East Asian instruments, electronics, and orchestral soundscapes. Then, on Oct 31, Sarawakian sape player and singer Alena Murang performs a new concerto for sape and orchestra by Vivian Chua – the first work of its kind ever commissioned.
Japanese pianist and academic Makoto Ozone – a name sure to draw jazz aficionados to DFP on July 18 – joins conductor Aziz Shokhakimov for a classical programme featuring works by Stravinsky, Weill, and Gershwin.
Renowned for leading his jazz big band No Name Horses and for his collaborations with orchestras around the world, Ozone has also recorded acclaimed albums with vibraphonist Gary Burton. In Kuala Lumpur, however, he’ll be shifting gears – performing in full classical mode.
At 77, veteran violinist Boris Belkin – long admired for his virtuosity and expressive depth – joins the MPO on June 20 under the baton of Junichi for Arctic Winds And Summer Sun. The programme traverses the emotional landscapes of Brahms, Prokofiev, and Rautavaara, promising a performance that bridges fiery intensity and northern stillness, led by one of the great elder statesmen of the violin.
Swiss classical maverick Maurice Steger – renowned as one of the world’s leading recorder virtuosos and a spirited interpreter of Baroque music – joins the MPO for The Nature Concerti on Sept 12, featuring works by Vivaldi and Telemann. Expect a performance brimming with charm, wit, and playful brilliance, hallmarks of Steger’s personable stage presence.
More info here.
