DEWAN FILHARMONIK PETRONAS – SOUTH EAST ASIA’S PREMIER VENUE FOR CLASSICAL MUSIC

Strategically located between the PETRONAS Twin Towers, Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS (DFP) is the country’s first dedicated classical music concert hall. It was officially opened on 17 August 1998 by the patron of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Haji Mohd Ali, and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Now in its fourteenth season, DFP has become an integral part of the cultural scene in Malaysia and continues to attract almost capacity attendances; as it has done since the day it first opened its doors to the Malaysian and international public.

In addition to the concerts given by the MPO, whose performing home it is, DFP has hosted some of the world’s leading artists and orchestras. These have included the legendary cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, bass-baritone Bryn Terfel, conductors Lorin Maazel, Sir Neville Marriner, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Sir Andrew Davis and the late Yehudi Menuhin, and world-renowned orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, The Philharmonia, BBC Symphony, Vienna Symphony, Sydney Symphony, NHK Symphony and Singapore Symphony. As a chamber music venue DFP has also attracted such eminent ensembles as the Belcea Quartet and the Borodin Quartet.

Beyond classical music, DFP has hosted such prominent artists as Harry Connick Jr, the Count Basie Orchestra, Yellowjackets, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Pink Martini and sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar, while Malaysian artists including Dato’ Khadijah Ibrahim, Dato’ Sheila Majid, Tan Sri S M Salim and Ramli Sarip, have also wowed the DFP audience.

Keeping traditional art forms alive is an important aspect of DFP’s function, and it does so by presenting dance dramas like Raja Bersiong, Puteri Intan Baiduri, Mak Yong Gading Bertimang, Payung Mahkota, Demang Lebar Daun, and showcases like Imbauan – Tribute to Screen Legend Normadiah and Keroncong Kasih. These well-received performances have been presented by the PETRONAS Performing Arts Group.

In May 2002 DFP hosted the first-ever KLBBC Proms, a week-long celebration of great music modelled on the famous BBC Proms in the United Kingdom. There was an overwhelming response from the Malaysian public to this ground-breaking collaboration between the MPO and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. The final night’s performance was carried ‘live’ to the public at the Suria KLCC park from the concert hall. Following the success of this event, DFP hosted a second Proms in collaboration with the BBC in 2006 with several of the week’s events subsequently broadcast by BBC Radio 3.

Other festivals held in DFP have included the two-week Beethoven Festival in December 2002, and the country’s first-ever Organ Festival, held during the 03/04 Season, showcasing the magnificent Klais Pipe Organ which provides the spectacular backdrop to the DFP platform. Marking DFP’s 10th anniversary, the 07/08 Season opened with a month-long extravaganza of music-making featuring, alongside the MPO, soprano Sumi Jo, as well as the inaugural concerts from the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. The inaugural KLCC Seni Festival was held in 10/11 Season, presenting a week-long extravaganza of music, arts and dance.

Always innovative in its programming, over the years DFP has introduced new ideas including, in the 08/09 Season, the first-ever Artists-in-Residence (the Borodin Quartet) and in 09/10, the DFP Spotlight: Jazz, which provided a platform for local talents such as Noryn Aziz, Rachel Guerzo, AkashA and Reza Salleh.

Factors that have contributed to DFP’s success are its exceptional architectural design and renowned acoustics. Bryn Terfel, the star Welsh bass-baritone said of it; “(DFP) excels in its wonderful acoustics and good lighting that created an intimate setting. I only wish I could put the hall in my pocket and take it with me everywhere I perform. It is truly a pearl in the Malaysian musical heritage” while star violinist Sarah Chang proclaimed; “(DFP) is a wonderful hall. Malaysians are fortunate to have a good hall.” Jazz vocalist James Moody has said; “It’s definitely a beautiful hall. I like it very much, my musicians also like it and we all look forward to perform here.” and Paddy Maloney, the leader of popular group, The Chieftains, said, “It is a great hall and Malaysians should be proud of it”.

As the only purpose-built concert hall in Malaysia, DFP aims to be the focal point for enthusiastic classical music audiences, as well as other complementary musical styles such as jazz, ethnic and world music. It will continue to provide Malaysians with a varied and world-class musical experience through innovative programmes and repertoire every season.