Bandar Sunway, 26 August 2011 – Around 800 people packed Sunway University’s Multi Purpose Hall on Friday, 19 August to attend a charity recital entitled “A Celebration of Music: Butterfly Lovers and Love Songs” hosted by the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation (JCF). In conjunction with the recital, MasterClass Workshops were held on Saturday, 20 August for members of the public where 79 people attended the workshops.
The recital was organised to share the beauty and discipline of music with a wider audience beyond the confines of the university community.
In his wecome message, Founding Trustee, Tan Sir Dato’ Seri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah said, “This recital is very much aligned to the spirit of the Foundation as music and arts are inextricably linked to education, enriching and nurturing lives towards the total development of individuals”.
The Charity Recital featured the 2011 International Ensemble of the Perak Society of Performing Arts (PSPA), an icon of music-making in Asia since 2007. Since its formation, the ensemble has attracted musical talents from around the world and includes several internationally-acclaimed musicians from the USA and Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and China. Led by conductor Eugene Pook, the ensemble is renowned for its innovative concert programming and versatility.
Eugene Pook is an established music producer, orchestra conductor, clarinetist and music arranger. In addition to his role as music director for the Perak Society of Performing Arts (PSPA) International Ensemble, he also serves as music director and conductor for the Perak Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as music director and conductor for the Kinta Valley Wind Orchestra. Eugene also holds a teaching position working as conducting tutor at the University of Malaya, Malaysia.
Another notable performer in the Perak Society of Performing Arts (PSPA) International Ensemble is Penang-born tenor Tan Wei Han who is widely recognised as one of the top tenors in Malaysia. Wei Han’s experiences have been far-reaching. In 2008, he was attached to an opera company in Australia, touring in numerous cities Down Under, where he took the lead role in Verdi’s opera La Traviata, completing 40 performances. More recently, he performed Mozart’s opera “The Marriage of Figaro”, singing the part of Basilio at Tunghai University, Taiwan, and performed as a tenor soloist in Mozart’s “Requiem” with Taiwanese conductor Chun-Fung Lee and the Contemporary Chamber Orchestra Taipei. Wei Han is currently under the guidance of Famous Taiwanese Soprano Dr. Yi-Lin Hsu.
The Charity Recital also showcased the Sunway University Ensemble, made up of students, alumni and staff, as well as students from the Department of Performance and Media, Sunway University, who performed an original dance and movement called “The Growing Seeds” led by second year student Keilly Lim May Harn.
Elizabeth Lee, Executive Director, Sunway Education Group and Member of the Management Committee, the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation said, “Music and performance is very much a part of a world-class university and I am proud that our very own students of the Sunway University Ensemble and our Performance and Media department were able to support the professional musicians for the recital.”
The concert programme featured the all-time favorite Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto, one of the most famous works of Chinese music. Originally written for a full symphony orchestra, it is now in a rare and unique chamber version. The concert also included elegant and romantic Italian and English love songs and arias.
All proceeds from the Charity Recital will be channeled to the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation. The Foundation seeks to give back to society by making quality education available to deserving students through the provision of scholarships and research grants.
In conjunction with the Charity Recital, MasterClass Workshops were also held, where talents from the PSPA International Ensemble 2011, provided on a voluntary basis, free classes to the public aimed at assisting to improve their skills in a range of musical instruments including the violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, vocals, double-bass and oboe. Their mission is to encourage the development of an appreciation and understanding of the performing arts, while contributing to the growth and advancement of artistic talents. The attendees went away inspired and armed with useful tips.
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