As the KLPac Orchestra marks its 20th anniversary, it pays tribute to the person who started it all – the late maestro Brian Tan (1970–2011), who founded KLPac’s first community orchestra, then known as KLPac Sinfonietta, in 2006.
As its founding resident conductor and music director, Tan worked tirelessly to build a community of musicians and music lovers. He died of cancer in 2011, but his legacy lives on in the many musicians who have been part of the orchestra.
The Tribute To Brian Tan concert series takes place at Pentas 1, KLPac from Oct 30 to Nov 1.
“I still have vivid memories about Brian, his music and how our orchestra came to be. He appeared one day at our doorstep saying he had some instruments for KLPac and would like to set up a community orchestra. We said yes, of course,” said Datuk Dr Faridah Merican, KLPac co-founder and executive producer.
A pianist, violinist and educator, Tan commanded the stage but was warm and approachable as a teacher and mentor, leaving many KLPac Orchestra members with fond memories.
The tribute brings together former colleagues, friends and musicians discovering Tan’s story for the first time, celebrating the enduring mark he left on KLPac and its musical community.
Under the baton of current KLPac Orchestra resident conductor and music director Lee Kok Leong, the concert is a highlight of the orchestra’s 20th anniversary season, tracing its musical journey through a mix of classical works and contemporary favourites.
Opening with the celebratory Tarian Overture, the programme spans old and new repertoire, including Romance from Frédéric Chopin’s Piano Concerto In E Minor, excerpts from the Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto, Defying Gravity from Wicked, Cinema Paradiso and Amazing Grace.
With Lee Hai Lin as concertmaster, the orchestra also welcomes back past collaborators, including pianist Dr Elaine Yap, soprano Dr Ang Mei Foong and yangqin player Tan Yong Yaw, alongside singers Rachel Liu, Kay Wong and Jamie Tan, as well as guest artistes Sam Chin and Jess Teong.
Partial proceeds from the concerts will go towards KLPac’s Timpani Fund, which aims to raise RM130,000 by 2027 for a new set of timpani – percussion instruments that help anchor the orchestra’s rhythm.
More info here.
