MPO tribute set to bring Alfonso Soliano’s musical legacy into the present

The Soliano family - (from left) trumpeter and flugelhorn player Condrado, vocalist Isabella and bassist Don Alfonso - will join MPO conductor Muriz (second, right) on the Dewan Filharmonik stage in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 2. Photo: The Star/Low Lay Phon

Legendary Malaysian composer Alfonso Soliano’s (1925–1990) legacy continues to resonate, with a new generation rediscovering his pioneering work at Radio Malaya, his contributions to the Merdeka-era songbook and his jazz-inspired recordings.

The Singapore-born musician of Filipino heritage makes for a distinctive Malaysian story, reflecting the multicultural currents that shaped the nation’s musical landscape.