| Tanah Pusaka 2007 |
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'Tanah Pusaka'
featuring
Kuala Lumpur Guitar Ensemble II Simon Cheong and Duolisme
21st November 2007, 8.30 pm Tuanku Abdul Rahman Auditorium, Malaysia Tourism Center, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
Photos and my thoughts documenting this event by Simon Cheong
'Tanah Pusaka' as this concert is entitled, was conceived as thoughts flowed through my head for presenting this concert. Lots of performers in the world were playing and promoting their own country's music and I thought, why aren't we? So I began looking around for Malaysian pieces for a guitar quartet... none! So, I decided to try my hand at making an arrangement. Well, since it is Malaysia's 50th anniversary and this concert was in celebration of it, what better piece to choose than Tanah Pusaka! The society has published my arrangement and it is the society's first publication as well as my very first.
I had intended to have Duolisme play as our guest for the night since we had invited them to our annual guitar camp at Fraser's Hill. This is something that I had not done before for any of our camp's artiste-in-residence - the lucky duo! And, since they are Dutch... I was approached by Ms Jacoba from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands at Jens Rasmussen's concert where I was invited to give a speech and my speech mentioned this concert, she asked me to contact the embassy for a collaboration. So, I did. Happenstance that the embassy was also celebrating their 50th year of diplomatic Netherlands-Malaysia relations.
1. Our very special guest of honour, His Excellency, the Ambassador of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr Lody Embrects with his wife and Tatjana Carev-Maruna from the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia, and on her right is the Manager of Berjaya Times Square. 2 & 3. Kuala Lumpur Guitar Ensemble II 4 & 5. After an absence of more than 10 years from having played solo and having started performing again only in 2006 in ensemble leading the KLGE II, I decided to have a go.
6 - 9. Duolisme - Peter Thissen and Frank Lamm
10 & 11. Here's our MC Ms Oi Suan Gaik bringing all the performers back on stage for a final curtain call.
Behind the scenes...
12 & 13. Introducing our cameraman - Christopher Cheong! My son was chosen since Sew Hong, a member of KLGE II, had to perform. Sew Hong gave Christopher a lesson on photography using his expensive camera. Well...as these photos attest...Christopher has a long way to go! 14, 15 & 16. We were at the hall by 4 pm to set up the stage and have a sound check.
17 & 18. Hey look! a new Duolisme! Frank has decided to change partner...NO... if you noticed Simon and Frank have switched positions... that's because the other half Peter was listening to the sound system and trying to get the microphones adjusted. 19, 20 & 21. Food glorious food... we had a reception for our special guests.
22 & 23. Behind the stage and after the concert was autograph time at the reception. 24. A photo with His Excellency, the Ambassador Mr Lody Embrects and wife, Duolisme, Simon and Evelyn Cheong. 25 & 26. Putting up the society's banner and after the concert a group photo with a great team. Ernest is missing... where did he go to?
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27. Peter and Frank are lucky blokes. I drove them down to Malacca to see their heritage. There were Dutch heritage buildings etc. before the British took over. We met up with an ex-Kuala Lumpur Guitar Ensemble member Jimmy Tan. Jimmy and his wife took us to lunch at a Nyonya restaurant. |
