MUSICAL wunderkind Tengku Ahmad Irfan Tengku Ahmad Shahrizal discovered the joys of making music on an electronic keyboard and began piano classes at the tender age of 7.
Now a successful pianist, conductor and composer, the 25-year-old talent has grown up alongside the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) of which he shares the same age with.
"My first collaboration with the MPO was in 2009 when I performed Beethoven's Piano Concerto in E flat major and I improvised the cadenzas to the piece," says Tengku Irfan, recalling his earliest memory of the MPO when he made his debut at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) at age 11.
Over the years, he has collaborated with the MPO on various projects.
"Through the MPO, I was fortunate to have various opportunities over the years not only as a pianist but as conductor and composer. Hence, the variety of experiences helped to shape what I aspire to do as a musician.
"It serves as a platform for me to try out new things, which is very essential for a growing musician," he says.
Tengku Irfan has also been a Youth Ambassador for the MPO, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
"One of the memorable projects that I did was with the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO) in 2021 during the middle of the lockdown.
"We did a project called 'Beethoven Recomposed', where the students have to compose a piece as a group based on the motifs of Beethoven's 5th Symphony," says Tengku Irfan of being able to inspire the youth with music.
He will conduct a by-invitation workshop, titled The Power of Classical Music, for schools and music centres in the morning of Aug 27.
In the afternoon the same day, Tengku Irfan will hold a Piano Chamber Music Masterclass, which is open to the public.
There will also be an Open Rehearsal — Schumann, Symphony No. 4 session on Sept 1 for schools and music institutions at DFP.
His advice to youth on pursuing and realising their dreams?
"Make time to explore life and for soul-searching. It is fine to admire a person but do not copy that person's exact path. Sure, there are traits and characteristics that you may like about the person you admire but the successful people we see have different paths leading to where they are now, and none of them follow a strict formula."
"Hence, you have to search within yourself what makes you different from others and combine your talents and abilities to the best form of yourself possible.
"Be the best version of yourself, which is something that no one else can recreate," says Tengku Irfan, who married Singaporean composer Koh Cheng Jin last year.
He will perform Liszt's Piano Concerto No.2 at DFP's MPO Gala Concert this Saturday (Aug 19).
"This work befits the occasion for the MPO's 25th anniversary as it celebrates the brilliant artistry of the orchestra.
"There is a long extended cello solo in the middle of the work, and at different points of the piece, each member of the wind section has their moment to shine, and the brass section roars at important moments."
Tengku Irfan, who completed a masters in piano, is now doing a masters in conducting at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York and will graduate in May 2024.
"I would love to focus more on conducting. Through this, I get to live and experience the different ways of music making.
"I will also keep on playing the piano. It is through my experience as a pianist and composer that has enabled me to sympathise and appreciate the wonderful ability and power of musicians."
Visit www.mpo.com.my for more details on the various workshops, masterclasses and concerts.