Gallery

1996 was a special year for the Society. Under the good auspices of TOYOTA’s sponsorship, I brainstormed the idea of having John Duarte in Malaysia for our Guitar Camp ’96. Unfortunately or rather fortunately, a camp does not provide sufficient publicity for a big company like TOYOTA. Hence a recital was suggested.

Once again, I had to come up with an idea. This time, I thought that commissioning a composition from a renown composer like Jack would be great….especially if he wrote on a Malaysian theme. Hence, the birth of Variations on a Theme by P. Ramlee (Getaran Jiwa).

Now that a world premiere was at hand, I had to find a performer. Chua May Ling had just completed her LTCL with me and from my knowledge of the guitar fraternity in Malaysia, I could find no better person. She was at that time the best lady guitarist in Malaysia (who could give the guys a run for their money as well – sounds sexist but true).

Well, everything put together, I had a world premiere, the presence of a renown composer, the best lady guitarist in Malaysia… this should fulfill the criteria for our sponsorship!

Incidentally, this whole world premiere gives us a first in a few aspects, namely :

• John Duarte’s variations on a local tune for the guitar is the first composition by a renown composer writing for the instrument in Malaysia
• Chua May Ling’s debut in this world premiere with the composer present is also a first.
• She is the first lady guitarist to give a full-length public recital.

Here are some photos to remember the event.