DFP And MPO 28th season Celebrates Music Across Genres, cultures
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS (DFP) and the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) will enter their 28th concert season in 2026 with a more diverse programme spanning classical, cross-genre, traditional, anime and film soundtrack music to captivate audiences across generations.
In a joint statement, DFP and MPO said, themed Where Every Beat Tells A Story, the new season upholds their founding mission since 1998 to strengthen music appreciation and foster deeper engagement with the community through world-class performances.
DFP and MPO chief executive officer Siti Azlina Abd Latif said music is more than entertainment, describing it as a universal language that unites people across cultures, traditions, generations and boundaries.
“Our investment in the philharmonic reflects an understanding that transformation is not only about what is built, but also who we become in the process.
“In an era of algorithms and automation, spaces where people gather to create and enjoy beauty together are not a luxury, but a necessity for our collective humanity.
“Energy drives the economy, but the arts nourish society. DFP, as a vibrant cultural hub, and MPO, as a premier orchestra in this region, are committed to nurturing the appreciation of music and culture and inspiring people to greater heights,” she said.
Among the season’s highlights are the classical series led by MPO music director Junichi Hirokami, who will continue to bring the orchestra to another level of impeccable artistry through programmes such as A Chorale Spectacular, Memoirs of a Floral Fantasy, An Evening of Verdi and Jazz, Classical & Beyond With the MPO.
The statement said the season will also feature debut appearances by conductor Aziz Shokhakimov, pianist Yukine Kuroki, cellist Santiago Canon-Valencia, violinist Elias David Moncado and local multi-instrumentalist Belle Sisoski.
Concert-hall film screenings accompanied by live orchestral music -- a signature offering of MPO -- will continue with four presentations, namely Amadeus and P. Ramlee’s Madu Tiga (both in January), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (April) and Star Wars - A New Hope (May).
“Being innovative in our programming is necessary for new audience-building, and it signals the MPO’s desire to bridge gaps and widen its reach through its music,” Siti Azlina added.
In the cross-genre series, MPO will collaborate with international artistes, including violinist-vocalist Charles Yang and pianists Peter Dugan and Frank Dupree, as well as present The Music of Queen in October under the direction of conductor Brent Havens, blending rock and orchestral elements.
Also in the spotlight is Cirque de la Symphonie in January, led by Malaysian virtuoso Tengku Irfan, which combines circus arts, acrobatics and orchestral music, while MPO resident conductor Gerard Salonga will helm a concert in September featuring his sister, Broadway star Lea Salonga, presenting a selection of Broadway and Disney favourites.
Gerard will also conduct Symphonic Ghibli in July, expected to attract Japanese animation fans through a selection of iconic Studio Ghibli music.
“The MPO will elevate the timeless legacy of the late Biduanita Negara Datuk Sharifah Aini (June) and the late Alfonso Soliano (September) in tribute concerts under the helm of renowned local conductor Ahmad Muriz Che Rose,” the statement read.
It added that local powerhouse Jaclyn Victor will celebrate her two-decade musical journey with MPO in October, performing her hits in new orchestral arrangements, while Indonesian singer Kunto Aji will return to DFP in November to collaborate with MPO in a concert titled Simfoni Mantra, following his solo appearance in 2022.
Popular homegrown talent, Shila Amzah, will celebrate her 25 years in the music industry in a concert in May, presenting a multilingual repertoire through her genre-spanning artistry, backed by her own band.
DFP will also present cultural productions including Mak Yong Shakespeare: The Comedy of Errors - An Adaptation in July and the contemporary dance showcase Yin & Yang: A Dance Kaleidoscope in September, as part of efforts to preserve and promote local artistic heritage.
Apart from concerts, the MPO will continue to impart knowledge and skills to the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra through its intensive coaching and guidance, followed by a series of concerts at DFP.
The public can visit mpo.com.my and dfp.com.my to download the season 2026 digital brochure or call the Box Office at 03-23317007 or email boxoffice@dfp.com.my.
-- BERNAMA
