Wow. Malaysian composers writing for a full western orchestra! Where did that tradition come from? Patriotic schmaltz for RTM? The Bolshoi playing P Ramlee? No, folks, this one just flown in from Ursa Minor.

For five years, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra has basically offered the Malaysian public some nice if not rather removed European musical traditions (not to say that we can’t relate to Mozart’s court mischief or Shostakovich’s outrage at political censure). And then associate conductor Kevin Field, advocate of new music, comes along to show us that orchestral music doesn’t stop at traditions, and in fact, can be anything you want it to be. So basically, it doesn’t matter if you didn’t grow up in Vienna or St Petersburg, if you hear the music calling your name, it is yours for the taking.

As a result of these activities, our composers are slowly emerging from their holes. Last year, six composers were shortlisted to present new works for a chamber ensemble at the first phase of the MPO Forum for Malaysian Composers. From this, four were chosen to be part of phase two, out of which one will be selected to represent Malaysia at the MPO International Composers Award.

Where were our four composers hiding before this? Johan Awang Othman: in USM as a music lecturer, fulfilling the occasional commissions for incidental music for theatre and dance. Ahmad Muriz: his jazz band, the Petronas Performing Arts Department, and then Berklee College of Music. Chong Kee-Yong: disappeared completely into Belgium to pursue his dream, where he won every bloody prize in Europe, and until Kevin Field discovered him two years ago, nobody has even heard of him in his own country. Adeline Wong: graduated not long ago, but already been performed in LA, NY, Italy, Wales, Singapore, and phew, in Malaysia too. On Thursday March 11, at the Dewan Filharmonik Orchestra, you shall get to hear all their works for full orchestra, specially composed for MPO Forum for Malaysian Composers. Which one of them will be appointed the MPO resident composer?

If you are a regular at Kevin Field’s Contemporary Music concerts, then you really don’t need my persuasion. You know to expect the unexpected: atonality, discords, upheavals, silences, and yes, even melody. There’ll be some alien harmonies, some familiar sounds, some hair-raising moments. It’s music for our interesting times. You want to be soothed? Buy an Osim massage chair. Otherwise, come with an open mind and be prepared to beam with pride. Tickets at only RM10 per seat. There, cheaper than Osim.

(This just in: Chong Kee-Yong will represent Malaysia at the MPO International Composers Award! Congratulations Kee-Yong!)

Sapu-Sapu 2: Contoh: The pro-janitors of punk

On the night of January 7 earlier this year, four bands, Carburetor Dung, Maharajah Commission, Spunky Funggy, and Ciplak, together with two solo acts, Reza and Yamashita Riki, put out varying volumes (mostly loud) of music at a dinky little waterhole in Damansara Utama known as Paul’s Place. The event, Sapu-Sapu, was organised by musical troubadour Azmyl Yunor. It was so fun, they are doing it again this Friday March 12. Sapu-Sapu 2: Contoh is organised by Azmyl’s bandmate, CK the bass player from Ben’s Bitches.

There seems to be no overall concept to the programme except perhaps for good ol’ diversity. “A mini festival,” Azmyl says; he doesn’t like a gig with too much of the same. Apparently, he was just ‘sweeping’ whoever was around, hence the name of the concert.

This round, the newcomers are Evert and Never Thought Of That. Evert consist of students from Taylor’s, among whom are Azmyl’s own students in his Communications class at the very same college. Won’t you love to actually have a teacher who plays in a rock band? School of Rock anyone?

Never Thought Of That, well, Never Heard Of Them. But Azmyl says they are from Subang. Ah, well, just what we need: suburban angst.

Among the usual suspects lined up this round are: 1. Carburetor Dung: Joe Kidd and his fellow dinosaurs with the same punk anthems everybody loves to mosh to; 2. Freelove: Ipoh-mari band playing lo-fi indie rock; they are made up of members from Muck; 3. Triple 6 Poser: sort of like Weezer, alternative but not too alternative, whatever that means; 4. Ben’s Bitches: playing proto-punk, the virus that eventually mutated into punk and screwed up civilisation as we knew it; 5. Azmyl Yunor: doing his solo shit – the man plays guitar, harmonica, drums and piano, on top of singing his funny songs; he may not compose for an orchestra, but he can still sound like an alien nevertheless.

Kota Idaman 13 Sempadan: Kampung Kepong?

Now that ST Bala has shown us his keen insights to social conditions in Iruvar, let’s take a look at another DBKL script vetting committee member: filmmaker Dato’ Jins Shamsuddin, who has, of all things, written a play called Kota Idaman 13 Sempadan (‘The Desired City of 13 Borders’ – pardon the clumsy translation), that is being staged at Panggung Bandaraya (yes, the DBKL’s own theatre, no less) from Wed Mar 10 to Sat Mar 13.

Last year, the Kelab Umno tokoh was responsible for directing Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!, a five-hour play written by our Minister of Culture, Arts and Tourism, performed by every actor in town, and panned by everybody else. First coming to fore in the 60s as the Malaysian James Bond, Dato’ Jins Shamsuddin had gone on to write, produce and direct some award-winning films, the most famous being Bukit Kepong, which tells the story of the battle against the communists on that very hill.

Originally titled Desa Purba 13 Purnama (Ancient Village of 13 Moons), the play was first staged in London in 1971. After these long years swept under the Dato’s more famous films, it is now being revived by Hidayah Theatre. Kota Idaman, says the publicity blurb, is about love and loyalty to the nation. It claims to use traditional Malay literary forms. It is fictional, but inspired by the May 13 racial riots. Someone from Hidayah Theatre’s committee by the name of Amar Ibrahim has written in the feedback section of the event on this site: “…kehadiran menonton teater ini akan tergerak dihati kita untuk terus bersatu demi bangsa, agama dan tanah air.” I was quite sure that more than one bangsa was involved in the racial riots, so I don’t know whose bangsa we are being asked to bersatu demi now. I asked director Kamarul AR if his theatre group is politically motivated. He says, “Yes, we want to promote Malay Unity. Because the Malays in this country are split and are affecting the peace and the leadership of the top Malays.”

I suppose we know who he will be voting for. Well, with the elections coming up, it should be interesting for regular folks, particularly those who aren’t affecting the peace, to come and watch this play. After all, for some of us, living in Malaysia is like watching a play: You pay your money, and you sit quietly. Let’s hope there is still something left to be said for bangsa Malaysia.