Tokyo Symphony Orchestra: A Symphony of Legends
FOR the first time ever, the prestigious Tokyo Symphony Orchestra makes its historic debut in Malaysia, bringing a monumental afternoon of music to the iconic Dewan Filharmonik Petronas. Under the masterful baton of Naoto Otomo—a visionary who has led the fiercely competitive Japanese music scene—the orchestra's 80 elite musicians promise an afternoon of sheer power, passion, and breathtaking artistry.
At the heart of the program lies Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, performed by acclaimed Japanese pianist Tomoharu Ushida. Known for his profound musical sensitivity and impeccable technique, Ushida breathes new life into this Romantic masterpiece, delivering a performance both soul-stirring and unforgettable.
The journey continues with Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, in the dazzling orchestration by Maurice Ravel. Inspired by a vivid gallery of paintings, this electrifying suite transports audiences from the eerie charm of The Gnome to the thunderous majesty of The Great Gate of Kiev—a true symphonic tour de force.
More than a concert, this is a celebration of international friendship and artistic excellence—a landmark moment in cultural collaboration between Japan and Malaysia.
Experience a historic afternoon of world-class music, as one of Asia's premier orchestras takes the Malaysian stage for the very first time.
Date: 1 June 2025 (Saturday)
Time: 3:00 PM (Afternoon Performance)
Venue: Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, KLCC
Ticket Prices: RM290 | RM430 | RM550 | RM680
Special Discount: 30% for Students
Tickets available at: Official Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS Website
Don't miss this rare opportunity to witness one of Asia's leading orchestras live in Kuala Lumpur. Reserve your seats now for an unforgettable afternoon of world-class music.
Naoto Otomo – Conductor
Naoto Otomo is one of Japan's most prominent and versatile conductors, widely respected for his dynamic artistry, refined interpretations, and dedication to expanding Japan's orchestral music scene.
A graduate of Tokyo University of the Arts and the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, Otomo began his career as Resident Conductor of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra before becoming its Music Director. He has also served as Music Director of the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and is currently Conductor Laureate of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra.
Otomo has worked with leading orchestras across Europe, the United States, and Asia, and is a passionate advocate for contemporary music, often premiering works by both Japanese and international composers. His deep musical insight and precision have made him a key figure in shaping the modern orchestral sound in Japan.
In addition to the concert stage, Otomo is active in opera and film music, and has played a crucial role in nurturing young talents through education and mentorship. His influence continues to inspire new generations of musicians across Asia and beyond.
Tomoharu Ushida – Piano
Tomoharu Ushida is one of Japan's most exciting young pianists, praised for his poetic expression and exceptional technique. Born in 1999, he began piano at the age of three and made his professional debut with Universal Music Japan at just 12. A prizewinner at the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition, Ushida has performed with leading orchestras worldwide and currently studies at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. His performances are celebrated for their elegance, emotion, and deep musical insight.
Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11
Frédéric Chopin
Composed in 1830 when Frédéric Chopin was just 20 years old, this concerto is a stunning expression of youthful passion and poetic refinement. Though labeled 'No. 1,' it was actually his second piano concerto written, but the first to be published. The work is beloved for its soaring melodies, delicate interplay between piano and orchestra, and its deeply expressive Romantic spirit.
The first movement opens with grandeur and drama, leading to a heart-rending Romanze that feels like a whispered nocturne—intimate, lyrical, and full of tender longing. The brilliant final movement dances with the rhythms of Polish folk music, bringing the concerto to a sparkling and energetic close.
It is a true showcase of the piano as a singing, emotional voice—an ideal match for a pianist of poetic sensibility and technical grace.
Pictures at an Exhibition
Modest Mussorgsky (orchestrated by Maurice Ravel)
Originally composed for solo piano by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky in 1874, Pictures at an Exhibition is a vivid musical tribute to his late friend, artist Viktor Hartmann. Each movement represents a different artwork by Hartmann, with the recurring 'Promenade' theme portraying the composer strolling through a gallery.
In 1922, French composer Maurice Ravel masterfully orchestrated the piece, transforming it into one of the most brilliant and colorful orchestral showpieces ever written. From the eerie whimsy of 'The Gnome' to the grand, triumphant finale 'The Great Gate of Kiev,' the suite is a powerful journey through sound and imagination—an exhibition not of pictures on walls, but of scenes vividly painted with music.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Japan's high-tech sunscreens tap into skincare craze; Indonesia among nations where new factories will be set up
TOKYO (AFP): When YouTuber Hannah Price set out to compare Japanese and Australian sunscreen, she wasn't expecting her deep dive into the subject to rack up over two million views. The huge number of people poring over Price's video shows the growing interest in skincare products from Japan, much like the K-beauty phenomenon from South Korea. It includes sun protection, increasingly recognised as a daily essential by influencers who want to shield their skin from ageing and enthuse about the lightweight texture of Japanese brands. Companies that have perfected their secret formulas want to capitalise on booming demand, including by building factories overseas and selling to Japan's record influx of foreign tourists. Price, 32, fell into a "year-long rabbit hole" while making her video, learning about everything from SPF science to cultural attitudes to sun exposure. "I always loved Japanese sunscreen, since I first moved to Japan in 2012," she told AFP at her studio in Tokyo. "I remember trying it for the first time and thinking, 'this is so much better than anything I tried in Australia'," her home country where sun cream felt "thick, sticky, greasy". "I thought that the video would be popular... but I wasn't expecting it to reach as far" as it did, Price said. The habit of regular sunscreen use is spreading, especially among younger generations, said Takuya Wada, who works in marketing for Japanese chemical and cosmetics firm Kao. "There are no borders when it comes to obtaining information on social media, especially Instagram and TikTok," he said, adding that influencer posts have a "very large" impact on global sunscreen sales. Australian YouTuber Hannah Price speaking to a camera at her office in Tokyo. When Price set out to compare Japanese and Australian sunscreen, she wasn't expecting her deep dive into the subject to rack up over two million views. -- Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP - 'Beautifully white' - The global skincare market was worth more than US$115 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to US$194 billion by 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights. A boom in celebrity skincare brands has contributed to the industry's growth -- with A-listers like Kylie Jenner using social media to share their beauty routines, including sun protection, with hundreds of millions of followers. When it comes to sunscreen, country-specific regulations mean no single company dominates the field, as the entry barriers to new markets are higher. Kao's main sunscreen brand Biore UV is ranked 10th worldwide for sales, and second in Asia -- competing with the likes of L'Oreal and Beiersdorf, and Japanese rivals such as Shiseido. The company wants sales from sun protection to reach 35 billion yen ($240 million) in 2027, up 1.6 times from 2023. It plans to boost overseas production by opening three new sunscreen factories, in Indonesia, Brazil and Germany. It is technically difficult to develop formulas that block the rays effectively with a smooth texture, as demanded by Japanese consumers, said Takashi Fukui, research and development director for Kao skincare products. But using scientific know-how to strike this tricky balance is what makes Kao "different from other European or American makers". In Japan, a cultural obsession with light skin dates back to the sixth century and using white powder imported from China later became a status symbol among nobility. Fair skin indicated a life away from outdoor labour and sun exposure, and an old Japanese proverb says "white skin covers the seven flaws". In the 1990s, people began using sunscreen or other cosmetics to avoid tanning -- a trend dubbed "bihaku", or beautifully white. These days, Japanese women use sunscreen as everyday protection against sunspots and ageing, caused when UV rays penetrate into the skin, said Fukui. People walking past a major drug store in Tokyo's bustling Shibuya district that sells sunscreen products. - Photo: AFP - Winter sun - Tans have long been fashionable in Western countries, but awareness of skin cancer risks is rising, making sunscreen an important healthcare product there, Fukui said. One fan of Japanese brands is Thai skincare influencer Suari Tasanakulpan, who calls them "lightweight" compared to "heavy and uncomfortable" Western offerings. "There are always new technologies and innovative textures that are often ahead of other countries," the 40-year-old, who reviews sunscreens on YouTube, told AFP. At an outlet of drugstore chain MatsukiyoCocokara in Tokyo's Shibuya district, around 90 sunscreen products are lined up on the shelves. "Sales of sunscreen is improving year on year," said Takeshi Otsuki, deputy manager of the chain's cosmetic division. "More people are using sunscreen on a daily basis these days, so their needs are becoming more diverse," he said. The number of male customers is also increasing, and Japanese sunscreens are very popular with overseas tourists who buy them in multipacks, Otsuki said. While summer is high season, sunscreen is popular year-round, because Japan has a "relatively high number of sunny days in the winter, and the sunlight hours are long". YouTuber Price now uses both Japanese and Australian sunscreen, depending on the occasion. She sees the rise in education about sunscreens worldwide as a win-win situation. It "means you're going to be better protected in general, which is great for everyone", she said. - AFP
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
K-pop singer Ju Hak-nyeon denies paying for sex
South Korean singer Ju Hak-nyeon was reported to have had a personal meeting with a Japanese adult film actress-turned-influencer. Photo: Ju Hak-nyeon/Instagram South Korean singer Ju Hak-nyeon has admitted in a letter of apology to meeting a former Japanese adult actress, but denied rumours of being involved in prostitution activities. The apology on June 19 came after he was booted from K-pop boy band The Boyz on June 18. His agency One Hundred Label had announced on June 16 that the 26-year-old would be taking a break for personal reasons, without providing details. A Japanese media outlet then reported that Ju had a personal meeting with a Japanese adult film actress-turned-influencer, who is 11 years his senior, in Tokyo. The outlet added that he had allegedly paid for sex with the woman. One Hundred Label announced on June 18 that Ju will leave The Boyz and that his exclusive contract with the agency has been terminated. On June 19, Ju uploaded a handwritten letter on social media, in which he apologised for his behaviour. He admitted that he had a drink with an actress, along with acquaintances, in May. But he said he did not pay for sex, insisting that he had not committed any illegal acts. The Boyz, originally a 12-man act, debuted in 2017 with the EP The First. One member, Hwall, departed in October 2019 and the band released their first studio album, Reveal, in 2020. They launched their third studio album, Unexpected , in March. It was the band's first release since signing with One Hundred Label in late 2024 after leaving management company IST Entertainment. – The Korea Herald/Asia News Network
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Peruvian restaurant Maido named the world's best restaurant by 50 Best
Maido, a restaurant in Lima, Peru, has been named No.1 on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list. — Photo: World's 50 Best Maido, a restaurant in Lima, Peru, has been named No.1 on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list. The restaurant founded by acclaimed chef Mitsuharu 'Micha' Tsumura dethroned last year's winner, Barcelona restaurant Disfrutar. However, two restaurants from Spain were named in the Top 5 – Axpe's Asador Etxebarri in No.2 and Madrid's Diverxo in No.4 – sandwiching Mexico City's Quintonil in third. Copenhagen eatery Alchemist rounded up the Top 5, while Asia's top restaurant was Bangkok's Gaggan at No.6. This year's list was revealed in a ceremony in Turin, Italy on Thursday (June 19), and features restaurants from 32 cities and 22 countries, with 10 new entries and four re-entries. The facade of the Maido high-cuisine restaurantin Lima. — Photo: Ernesto BENAVIDES/ AFP) Maido takes its name from a Japanese phrase used to greet people (maido), and increasingly references ingredients and traditions from the vast Peruvian Amazon, with courses like the miniature jaune parcel of pork jowl and palm heart that nods to a rainforest staple, snacks of 'ham' made from sustainable paiche fish, and yucca served with Amazonian beans. The 50 Best list was launched in 2002 and quickly established itself as an international alternative to France's renowned Michelin Guide. It has more than 1,000 voters across 27 regions around the world – a mix of chefs, food writers and "well-travelled gourmets". The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 Maido (Lima, Peru) Asador Etxebarri (Axpe, Spain) Quintonil (Mexico City, Mexico) Diverxo (Madrid, Spain) Alchemist (Copenhagen, Denmark) Gaggan (Bangkok, Thailand) Sézanne (Tokyo, Japan) Table by Bruno Verjus (Paris, France) Kjolle (Lima, Peru) Don Julio (Buenos Aires, Argentina) Wing (Hong Kong) Atomix (New York, USA) Potong (Bangkok, Thailand) Plénitude (Paris, France) Ikoyi (London, Britain) Lido 84 (Gardone Riviera, Italy) Sorn (Bangkok, Thailand) Reale (Castel di Sangro, Italy) The Chairman (Hong Kong) Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler (Brunico, Italy) Narisawa (Tokyo, Japan) Sühring (Bangkok, Thailand) Boragó (Santiago, Chile) Elkano (Getaria, Spain) Odette (Singapore) Mérito (Lima, Peru) Trèsind Studio, Dubai (13) Lasai (Rio de Janiero, Brazil) Mingles (Seoul, South Korea) Le Du (Bangkok, Thailand) Le Calandre (Rubano, Italy) Piazza Duomo (Alba, Italy) Steirereck (Vienna, Austria) Enigma (Barcelona, Spain) Nusara (Bangkok, Thailand) Florilège (Tokyo, Japan) Orfali Bros. (Dubai, UAE) Frantzén (Stockholm, Sweden) Mayta (Lima, Peru) Septime (Paris, France) Kadeau (Copenhagen, Denmark) Belcanto (Lisbon, Portugal) Uliassi (Senigallia, Italy) La Cime (Osaka, Japan) Arpege (Paris, France) Rosetta (Mexico City, Mexico) Vyn (Skillinge, Sweden) Celele (Cartagena, Colombia) Kol (London, Britain) Restaurant Jan, Munich *
