First ‘neujahrskonzert’ held in M’sia

Gross (second from left), Bernbeck (third from left), Zakri (fourth from left), Allianz Malaysia Bhd chairman Tan Sri Rafiah Salim (third from right), Lambsdorff (second from right) with guest-of-honour Dr Mahathir and Dr Siti Hasmah, with spouses and dignitaries at the concert.

AN ENCHANTED evening unfolded with the sounds of Beethoven, Mendelssohn and other German composers as Allianz Malaysia ushered in the New Year with its first ever Neujahrskonzert (New Year Concert) 2019 at the iconic Dewan Filharmonik Petronas.

The event was a collaboration between Allianz Malaysia and the German Embassy Kuala Lumpur as well as the Malaysia-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC).

As it is common practice in Germany to attend classical music concerts ahead of the New Year, the event brought a taste of Germany to Malaysia in keeping with the tradition.

During the cocktail party, guests had a chance to mingle with others and experience the #ThroughGermanEyes art exhibition by Adrian Johann Dan Bedoy.

The art exhibition featured modern architecture interpretations in the digital era of Kuala Lumpur.

“Life is more than financials, facts and figures. Culture, art, literature or music play an equally important role to inspire us as humans,” said Allianz Life Insurance Malaysia Bhd chief executive officer Joseph Gross.

The event saw about 800 guests, including Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, who is the patron of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as dignitaries from both countries.

Allianz Malaysia Bhd chief executive officer Zakri Khir and Allianz Deputy Regional chief executive officer Asia Pacific Solmaz Altin also attended the event.

The German-based Allianz, headquartered in Munich, has been a great supporter of the arts and culture on the global stage, partnering with the Museum of Modern Art and world renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang.

“We are delighted tonight to celebrate 2019 and the partnership of Malaysia and Germany in politics, business and culture. I wish you a wonderful evening and a Happy New Year,” added Gross.

German ambassador to Malaysia Nikolaus Graf Lambsdorff said, “Germans feel very welcome in wonderful Malaysia. With this Neujahrskonzert, we would like to show our gratitude to our Malaysian friends and partners, and wish everyone a healthy and prosperous year”.

Meanwhile, MGCC chief executive officer Daniel Bernbeck said, “It is a great pleasure for us to start the New Year with such an auspicious event – with Germany’s great musical treasure being played by Malaysia’s best Philharmonic Orchestra.”

The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, led by resident conductor Gerard Salonga, served up a delectable programme celebrating German classical music including beloved overtures by Carl Maria von Weber from his opera Der Freischütz, followed by Felix Mendelssohn’s charming Piano Concerto No.2 in D minor featuring Welsh pianist Llyr Williams as the soloist with Ludwig van Beethoven’s celebratory Symphony No.7 bringing the enchanting evening to a close.