EIGHTY minutes, 10 musicians and 14 songs. That's what the Around The World In 80 Minutes concert by the Irama Tanah Air (ITA) Ensemble promises music lovers.
The show will take place at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre from Sept 7 to 10 and will feature new interpretations of familiar tunes from across the globe.
The show is set to be a musical storybook of sorts to move the audience from one chapter to another.
UNITY THROUGH MUSIC
"We want to inspire and unite, be it musicians, music lovers and people everywhere," says Bernard Goh, founder of Hands Percussion, who came up with the concept of ITA.
"After three years of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are back. We know our strength and it is music.
"We want to use our passion and our gifts given by God to reach out to people. This will also be a new beginning because we are here together."
The ensemble is like an extended family of brothers and sisters.
The musicians include music director Yuan Leow Yunn on piano, Aiden Soon and Evelyn Choong (harmonica), as well as Sara Heng (gu zheng) and Chong Eugene (cello/zhong ruan/keyboard).
The ensemble is completed by Lim Wei Siong (erhu/pipa), How Zie (flute/sanxian/zhong ruan) and Matdin Hussin (Malay drums/Malay traditional instruments/singer), with Jimmy Ch'ng and Jack Wan on percussions.
EXPERIENCED MUSICIANS
Goh says: "These are experienced musicians whom I've worked with over the years doing gigs and such. We're good friends and I've known them for more than 10 to 20 years.
"We come from different parts of Malaysia, various cultures and lifestyles, which adds to the flavour.
"But it has been a challenge bringing them together.
"Although everyone is busy and all over the place, from Singapore to Indonesia and South Korea, it's been a great experience to finally have them all together for a proper show."
The concert will feature tunes from China, Thailand, the Philippines and Japan, as well as songs from Russia, France, Italy, Turkiye, the Balkans and Africa.
"We will also perform a Celtic tune and a couple of our own compositions with Orang Asli origins, aside from Rasa Sayang."
FRESH AND UNIQUE RENDITIONS
"The concert is a collaboration featuring six arrangers and audiences will experience new renditions of familiar songs.
"They'll be given new life to make them contemporary, relatable and unique, so it'll also be a feast for the ears.
"Some of the tunes are classical tracks, and the Western songs have never been played using Chinese instruments."
Borrowing from the title of Jules Verne's 1873 novel, Around The World In 80 Days, Goh hopes for the ITA to showcase its Malaysian musical voice and talent to the world eventually.
A TRAVELLING VOICE
"We're looking to find a new voice for Malaysia to represent our sound after 66 years of independence.
"What is Malaysia? What is so special about us? We're very rojak and our music is so unique, so we can do it well and show it to the world.
"Malaysia boleh. I believe that our voices can reach out globally. My aim for this new baby is for them to travel."
For more details on the concert, visit www.hands.com.my.