Go "In Sync" with JB Classical Music Fest

The third edition of the Johor Baru Classical Music Festival is happening from July 27 to 29, hosted at hotel Amari Johor Baru with the finale held at Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios.

The festival theme, “In Sync” explores the relevance of classical music today and how it acts a connecting bridge between diverse communities and generations. In line with its theme, the fest will showcase the synchronization of influences, styles and ideas to illustrate music at its most universal.

Fans of classical music can look forward to four main concerts and six masterclasses and workshops conducted by top-class local and international orchestras and performers.

The concerts that will feature 123 performers, present unique perspective and flavour from Malaysia alongside international talents from Spain, France, Japan and Thailand.

 “This year’s festival aims to excite musical interest and emphasize the relevance of classical music – that it isn’t just for the learned or the generations before us but it is an avenue for storytelling for all,” said festival curator, Jonathan Oh.

“The festival is also a precious learning and networking opportunity for aspiring musicians to exchange views with high-caliber musicians and develop a deeper passion and understanding of classical music and how relevant it is to the stories of our times,” he added.

The programme is designed with something for everyone – aspiring musicians, music enthusiasts and those who are seeking something exciting and different to do during the weekend.

The National Symphony Orchestra Wind Ensemble

The festival will start with Sans Frontieres, a multi-cultural collaboration of top-notch musicians from Spain, France and Japan featuring violinist Sayaka Ohira (Japan), Benjamin Fabre (France) on viola, pianist Mereia Frutos Fernandez (Spain) and cellist Ivan Torres (Spain). 

The title of this performance paints the transcendental nature of music into a picture of collaboration across time, culture and borders.

The Philharmonic Winds of Malaysia

Jazz Up – Rhapsody in Blue will feature the National Symphony Orchestra Wind Ensemble teaming up with Misa Yamamoto and Julian Chan to explore the music of one of the most popular jazz composers of all-time, George Gershwin. 

Jazz fans can look forward to enjoying Gershwin classics as well as Scaramouche by Darius Milhaud and a beautiful French classic, Le Temps des Cerises (The Time of Cherries).

Bastian Baumet

Journey to the West Side will feature the Philharmonic Winds of Malaysia, an ensemble that will present an eclectically charming programme alongside Euphonium talent, Bastian Baumet. 

Go on an escapade in realizing the human condition through love and heartache from the youthful strides of Marquez Danzon to the ‘symphonic dances’ of two gangs in New York from Bernstein’s critically acclaimed, West Side Story.

On the final night, Thailand’s acclaimed symphony orchestra, Siam Sinfonietta, will present A Thai Odyssey. 

Conducted by co-founder and Thai-American composer, Somtow Sucharitkul, this celebrated orchestra will present an explosive programme that includes love songs from the late Thai king Rama IX and Bela Bartok’s The Miraculous Mandarin. The conductor’s own composition, The Suriyothai Suite, will bring this year’s festival to an exciting close.

The Siam Sinfonietta

Fans of the Star Wars saga cannot miss, The Empire Strikes a Chord: The Music of Star Wars through the Lens of Classical Music, one of the highlights of this year’s programme. Join musicologist Dr Andrew Filmer on a journey through sound and stars to explore the music of Star Wars.

On Day 2 of the festival, masterclasses, special events and workshops are planned throughout the day. They include a Violin Masterclass with Sayaka Ohira and Benjamin Fabre, ABRSM and Trinity College London in Interview, The Piano Accompanist: Partner in Success or Failure and Violin Anatomy 101: Understanding String Instruments from the Inside Out.

The JB Classical Musical Festival is presented by Johor Baru: International Festival City (JB:IFC) with more than 20 supporting partners under the royal patronage of Her Highness Tunku Tun Aminah binti Sultan Ibrahim.

Tickets and Festival Passes may be bought through TicketPro and enquiries for bulk purchases can be made by calling Tel: +6017 – 7430755 and +6019 – 7139900 or email to hello@jbifc.co