KUALA LUMPUR: Orkestra RTM recently performed the patriotic work, Bahtera Merdeka, which was dedicated to Malaysian men and women on the frontlines.
The song was performed by 15 musicians led by a conductor who were all playing from their individual homes due to the movement control order (MCO).
In a news report today, RTM music director Datuk Mokhzani Ismail said: "The idea simply came about after I caught similar performances done by musicians from other countries.
"I have to admit that it was not easy at all to do and posed many challenges."
The live recording of the moving tune, which was composed by the late Kassim Masdor, was uploaded to Orkestra RTM's official YouTube channel last Sunday.
Mokhzani added that, "Aside from assembling the various musicians in their respective homes, they had to make sure that the song was performed in the right tone, tempo and key.
"This is the first ever live home performance done by an orchestral ensemble in Malaysia. We are in the midst of trying to get recognition for that from the Malaysia Book of Records," he said.
On the particular song choice, Mokhzani explained that the lyrics, which were in line with a patriotic concept, suited the challenge that Malaysians were currently facing with the Coivd-19 outbreak as well as having to comply with the MCO.
"Bahtera Merdeka was first sung by the late Datuk Ahmad Jais and later by Aishah. Part of the lyrics are ‘jiwa dan raga, buktikanlah pada nusa dan bangsa’ (body and soul, prove it to the nation and the people).
"To me, that was very well suited to our current situation. Aside from that, the song is dedicated to the frontliners who are fighting for the country," he said.
The melody for the tune was rearranged by Khairul Aziem Rashidi and the performance was conducted by Luqman Aziz.
Mokhzani added that the public can expect more performances in the future and on a bigger scale.