How difficult is it to design a music programme which is interesting for a diverse audience—from avid music lovers to first-time attendees—while also being musically stimulating for the musicans? Answer: Very difficult. So my approach to this event was to give something for everyone to enjoy. There are four segments: Traditional Malay, Classical, International, and Pop vocal music. Creativity is essential in music making. To broaden our perspectives of local repertoire, I have also included three original works in the programme.

The event starts with Introduction and Inang, a composition I made in 2018. It is part of a larger music work entitled ‘Four Malay Dances’, originally written for a string quartet, and later adapted for a symphony orchestra. The original version has been published (and downloadable for free) on the largest online music library, IMSLP, and I was the first Malaysian composer to be listed there. In 2022, the work was selected for a string quartet festival in Hungary. The work begins with a slow introduction building up to a grand fanfare, somewhat visualising the Malay kingdoms in ancient times. The music then drops in intensity leading up to a short piano cadenza which segues into Inang: Allegro con Grazia (fast with grace). The second part is written in sonata-allegro form, which comprises three sections: exposition, development and recapitulation. Many classical compositions, especially from the baroque and classical periods, were based on European dance forms. When I wrote this music, an idea came to mind: What if we use Malay dance forms but write the music in the Western classical style? This music is my tribute to both Malay and Western music, and this particular movement was deeply inspired by Mozart.

“Tanjong Katong airnya biru… (Tanjong Katong where the water is blue…)” Those are the lyrics to Nak Dara Rindu (Wishing For A Maiden's Love), a popular tune sung and written by Malaysia’s greatest ever artist, P Ramlee. In this arrangement, I have incorporated a fragment of another famous local tune, Tanjong Katong, to metaphorically depict the scenery and set the mood for the song à la musical. It begins with a slow piano solo, contrasted by a quick orchestral prelude, before settling into the actual song, which is in Asli form, a slow Malay dance. Vocals: Zeiti

Lambaian Nogori (Greetings Of The State) is a song produced by the Negeri Sembilan State Cultural Department to promote their unique cultures to the world. I was commissioned to write an arrangement of this song for an event which involved the Negeri Sembilan royalties. Since we have fantastic woodwind players tonight, I thought it would be great to hear this music performed live in public for the very first time.

Cik Minah Janda Kaya (The Wealthy Widow Cik Minah) is a folk tune made famous by the legendary Malay fiddler, Hamzah Dolmat, which I discovered during a wedding event. It has a fast Bayon groove, and I find the interlocking of the duple time signature with the melody in triplet feel as something really interesting. This music ends our first segment.

Up next is the classical segment, and we begin with two dances by the famous English-German composer of the baroque period, George Friedrich Handel. Minuet and Bourée are two distinctive dance forms in French style, and they are two movements from ‘Water Music Suite No. 2’.

After French dances, we play a famous French song, Plaisir d’amour (Pleasure Of Love). It is about a tragic love story where the singer was abandoned by her lover for another woman who did not actually love him. The lyrics describe, “The pleasure of love is for a while, but the heartbreak lasts a long time.” The tune became famous across the centuries and inspired another evergreen tune by Elvis Presley, Can’t Help Falling In Love. This marks the conclusion of the classical segment. Violin Solo: Ahmad Aliff

The next segment will feature two international tunes, Nehna Wel Amar Jiran (We and The Moon Are Neighbours), and Love Tango. The Arabian tune of the former was indeed well-known among people who watched/ listened to Radio Televisyen Malaysia; it is often played during the month of Ramadan right before the call to prayer to signal the breaking of fast. The music was composed by the Rahbani brothers, and the song was made popular by the legendary songstress, Fairuz. This music was also arranged and adopted by Ron Goodwin in his album, Music For An Arabian Night. The song was also covered in Malay language by Sharifah Aini under the title Di Malam Persandingan (On My Wedding Night).

Love Tango is an enigma. I tried to find information on the composer, but to no avail. I discovered this tune from a compilation CD that my mother gave to me when I was a teenager, but nothing was described on the album cover. I found the melody really addictive, so I decided to include an orchestral arrangement of it in this concert. Do write to me if you have any leads on this music. And this music would signify the end of the first half.

The second half is mostly comprised of pop music. Medley Carefree is a set of two popular tunes by Carefree, a Malaysian pop band of the 1980s. The songs are Rindu Bayangan (Yearning For Shadows) and Belaian Jiwa (My Soul’s Comforter). In my opinion, no one makes songs like these anymore. I was perturbed to hear about the passing of Jay Jay, the band’s lead singer, earlier this year. I had the opportunity to accompany his solo concert way back in my college years, and it was my first serious gig in the Malaysian music scene. This arrangement is a tribute to his contributions to our musical tapestry. May God bless his soul. Al-Fatihah.
> Rindu Bayangan - Music by Omar Taib. Lyrics by S.A. Manja.
> Belaian Jiwa - Music by Simon. Lyrics by Nana.
Vocals: Syahir

Mulanya Di Sini (Here We Began) is another Malaysian hit of the 1980s recorded by the pop band Freedom. Almost every Malaysian who grew up in this period would recognise the lyrics, “Sama-sama, menjejak mimpi… (Together, we’ll find our dreams)” This music absolutely represents the golden era of Malaysian music.
Music by Royston Sta Maria. Lyrics by Syed Haron.
Vocals: Zeiti & Syahir

Taking another detour to France, Sous le ciel de Paris (Under The Sky Of Paris) is the unofficial anthem of Parisian street/ cafè music. This waltz is omnipresent on every Paris-themed album for good reason. The most famous rendition of this song was made by Èdith Piaf and you can find countless cover versions online.
Music by Hubert Giraud. Lyrics by Jean Dréjac.

Besides writing serious compositions, I also write in popular genres. Andai Dia Di Sini (If He Were Here) was an adaptation of my first composition that I made when I was around 16 years old. Originally written in the ballad form, I have re-arranged the song in 2017 in the style of bossa nova. It is a song about the loss of a lover. Vocals: Zeiti

The whole purpose of art is to challenge our thoughts. Ungu (Purple) is a tragic song about suicide—the emotions that went through a depressed person, to the point they could not contain it anymore. The music and lyrics were originally written by an upcoming singer-songwriter, Ken Ariff, and we are fortunate to have the artist performing with us tonight. Vocals: Ken Ariff

Every good thing has to come to an end, but It’s Not Goodbye according to the pop song recorded by the Italian singer, Laura Pausini. The lyrics were originally written in Italian as In assenza di te (In the absence of you). This R&B song was also covered in multiple languages by Janella Salvador (English), Dia Fadila (Malay), and Sarit Hadad (Hebrew).
Co-written by Laura Pausini, Cheope, Antonio Galbiati and Shelly Peiken.
Vocals: Winnie

As the grand finale to our concert, we will be performing Earth, Wind & Fire’s Fantasy, which according to some comments from the internet, is so good that it’s like music from outer space. This song was produced in 1978 and was once nominated for a Grammy award for ‘Best R&B Song’. This song was also covered in Malay under the title Khayalan (same meaning) by Black Dog Bone and Ruffedge & V.E. To paraphrase the lyrics of the song, victory will come to those who dare to dream.
Co-written by Barry White, Eddie del Barrio and Verdine White.

Back To Main Page