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Buy 4 tickets & Save up to 20%*

*Applicable to RM188 ticket category.

Book Now

80 Minutes, 10 Musicians, 13 Songs

Irama Tanah Air (ITA) will take you Around The World through music. Just like reading a story, music takes you places and paints vivid stories and adventures in your imagination. Allow us to be your musical storybook and move you from one chapter to another. From Asia to Scandinavia and South America to the Middle East, we showcase music from countries like China, Japan, India, Peru, Russia, Africa and Malaysia.

The ITA Ensemble are like an extended family of brothers and sisters. In 80 Minutes, they present a great collection of songs from around the world by their very own powerhouse of musicians, music educators and multi-instrumentalists bonded by their inherent Malaysian heritage.

In this concert, 6 composers from different backgrounds, both local and international, have been invited to carefully adapt and create 14 familiar classic pieces. Embarking on a boundless global musical journey, we’ll fuse our distinctive local emotions and instrumental virtuosity to embrace the world.

Show duration: 80 minutes ( without intermission)

Artistic Director's Note

Around the World in 80 Minutes is Irama Tanah Air’s (ITA) first full formal concert. Formed at the end of 2020, we are an ensemble of musicians, educators, composers who started out as friends many, many years ago, became occasional colleagues (as we each have full-time commitments) and will forever be a family. We have worked together individually at different times for different projects some of which are ‘SATU’ (an original composition released online) in 2020, ‘Bald and Beautiful 4.0’ (for which we composed the theme song for this cancer support program), ‘Sejahtera Malaysia’ (for Malaysia Day 2021) and ‘A Better Tomorrow’ (an online collaboration for the people during the pandemic) in 2021…

To me banding together was always a logical path forward in order for us to have a mature, multi-instrumentalist, enormous talent platform to play great music. We play both existing classics or favorites from all over the world by rearranging and adapting them to our techniques and styles of playing. We replace certain instruments with our own carefully selected instrument such as replacing the accordion with the harmonica in ‘Libertango’ by Astor Piazolla, the violin with the erhu in Shostakovich’s ‘Jazz Suite, Waltz No.2’, the violin with the harmonica in ‘Duelling Violins’ by Ronan Hardiman and the Japanese taiko drums with the shigu in Yu-Peng Chan’s ‘Duel in the Mist’. This infuses our identities into these songs making it “our own” at the same time expressing what we experience when listening to those classics. Original compositions are also something we are working on and hope to perform at music festivals all over the world.

In 80 minutes, you will travel on the ‘Wings of Light’ from Malaysia, waltz with Shostakovich, be enthralled by Anna Karina’s quaint Angela in ‘Une Femme est Une Femme’, gently let go of your anger/past in Thailand’s ‘Loy Krathong’, be reminded of the strength of love a parent has for a children in Freddie Aguilar’s ‘Anak’, have your heart rocked by India’s heart-stirring ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, feel the stirrings of a battle cry in Japan’s ‘Duel in the Mist’, witness and feel the energy of a Celtic dual in the ‘Duelling Violins’, be taken away to romantic Italy in ‘Cinema Paradiso’, get on your feet with ‘Libertango’, and finally home awaits in ‘Rasa Sayang’ and our very own ‘Horse Dance’. We simply want you to feel the joy we feel when we play these songs! Do enjoy the concert.

– Bernard

Song List:

Composer & Arranger: Yuan Leow Yunn
Originally created for the ‘Bald & Beautiful’ cancer awareness and fundraising campaign by My Starfish Foundation, ‘Wings of Light’ is a musical composition that beautifully encapsulates the spirit of hope. Through its uplifting melody, the song carries a profound message of optimism and resilience. It serves as a beacon of light during challenging times, providing solace and inspiration to those touched by cancer. ‘Wings of Light’ symbolizes the strength and courage found within individuals and communities as they come together to support and raise awareness for a crucial cause.

Arranger: Yuan Leow Yunn
“JiuEr” is the ending theme song of the TV drama “Red Sorghum”, composed by Akun and rearranged by Leow Yunn. This song was sung from a first-person perspective of the female protagonist, “JiuEr”. Through the emotionally charged and powerful arrangement, the song vividly portrays the strong and enduring character of JiuEr, as well as the love, hatred, emotions, and ups and downs of her life that are depicted in the story.

Arranger: Chong Eugene
“Jazz Suite, Waltz No. 2” is a famous composition by Dmitri Shostakovich, a renowned Russian composer. Composed between 1938 and 1940, this waltz is the second in a series of three waltzes. It blends traditional waltz elements with jazz and dance influences, resulting in a catchy and playful melody. Known for its widespread popularity and use in various cultural contexts, the piece is celebrated for its joyful and whimsical character, making it one of Shostakovich’s most recognizable and enduring compositions.

Arranger: Yuan Leow Yunn
“Une Femme Est Une Femme” is a French film directed by Jean-Luc Godard, released in 1961. The title translates to “A Woman Is a Woman” in English. It is a colorful and playful tribute to American musicals and a part of the French New Wave cinema movement. “Une Femme Est Une Femme” is a lighthearted exploration of love, desire, and identity, and it’s celebrated for its innovative approach to storytelling and its contribution to the evolution of cinema in the 1960s.

Arranger: 仁義 NINE G (Taiwan)
Loy Krathong, a beloved Thai festival, occurs during the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, typically in November. The festival’s name translates to “Floating Basket” in Thai. It’s not only a cultural celebration but also the inspiration behind the famous Thai song of the same name “Loy Krathong.” This song is widely shared online, particularly during the festival season, embodying the festival’s essence by rejoicing in the night’s beauty, the floating krathongs, and the unity it fosters. The song’s joyous melody enhances the festive ambiance of Loy Krathong celebrations.

Arranger: Bernice Tay
Vocal: Johannes Koo

“Anak” is a renowned Filipino song penned by Freddie Aguilar in 1977. The word “Anak” means “child” in English. The song tells a poignant tale of parental concern and disappointment over their child’s choices, delving into themes of family, rebellion, and generational challenges. With its emotionally charged music, the song struck a chord with a broad audience, becoming a massive hit in the Philippines and internationally. “Anak” has remained an enduring cultural and musical masterpiece, inspiring numerous covers and translations in various languages.

Arranger: 偉程
“Duel in the Mist” is associated with the game “Genshin Impact,” specifically with its Inazuma region OST (Original Soundtrack). Inazuma is one of the nations or regions within the game’s vast open world, and it features its own unique music and cultural elements.

Arranger: Wing
Instead of featuring two violins, we showcase two harmonicas in a captivating rendition of “Dueling Harmonicas.” This performance concept mirrors the traditional “Dueling Violins” approach but places the spotlight on the harmonica, allowing the two skilled harmonica players to engage in a lively and virtuosic musical competition. The dynamic interplay and musical dialogue between the harmonicas add a unique and thrilling dimension to the concert, demonstrating the instrument’s versatility and expressive capabilities.

Arranger: Chong Eugene
“Cinema Paradiso” is an acclaimed Italian film directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, released in 1988. The theme song composed by Ennio Morricone, is an emotive and hauntingly beautiful melody, typically performed on the violin, encapsulates the film’s nostalgic and sentimental essence. It conveys themes of longing, love, and the bittersweet memories associated with cinema’s magic. Its sweeping musical lines continue to evoke deep emotional responses and remain forever linked to the film’s portrayal of cinema’s enduring impact on our hearts and souls.

“Caprice of the Western Region” is a renowned traditional Chinese melody often played on the guzheng, a traditional stringed instrument. This lively composition draws inspiration from China’s western regions, such as Xinjiang and the Silk Road, reflecting their rich cultural diversity and landscapes. With its spirited and adventurous character, “Caprice of the Western Region” is a popular choice for guzheng performances, showcasing the instrument’s versatility and celebrating the vibrant traditions of China’s western regions. Its joyful melody captures the essence of this culturally diverse part of the country.

Arranger: Yuan Leow Yunn
“Kâtibim” is a renowned Turkish folk song, often called “Üsküdar’a Gider İken” in its complete form. With a history spanning generations, its title translates to “My Scribe” or “My Clerk” in English. This lively tune, frequently accompanied by instruments like the oud, holds a central place in Turkish culture, especially during celebrations. It has also found adaptation and rendition in various musical traditions worldwide. In the Balkans, it goes by different names. Matdin’s rendition, featuring Malay and Arabic lyrics, showcases its versatility, including the Malay version, “Alangkah Indah Di Waktu Pagi.”

Composer & Arranger: Yuan Leow Yunn
“Horse Dance,” composed by Leow Yunn for Chinese New Year, exudes the festive spirit with its vibrant and energetic melody. It encapsulates the excitement and traditions of the season, particularly the dynamic lion and dragon dances. This composition beautifully reflects the sense of renewal and optimism that comes with the start of a new year, making it a fitting musical tribute to the cultural richness of the holiday.

 

 

Arranger: Ui Li
“Ka Bohaleng” is an original composition by Abel Selaocoe. The work is an ode to strong women who nurture with power and raise their family through tough circumstances, based on the saying ’Mosadi o tshwara thipa ka bohaleng’. In the South African language of Sesotho, it means ’a woman holds a knife on the sharp side’.

Meet The 10 Exceptional Musicians

The ITA Ensemble are like an extended family of brothers and sisters. Founder and Artistic Director of the ensemble, Bernard Goh, has brought together a group of musicians including:

Yuan Leow Yunn

Music Director/Piano

Leow Yunn is known for her breadth, diversity and flexibility as a musician. She is a trained composer, arranger and producer. She graduated from the University of Wales and Ocean Institute of Audio Technology.

On a day to day basis, Leow Yunn juggles the roles of a composer, producer, arranger, pianist and lecturer. Of more than 80 projects and music that display her name in the credit roll, most fall within the category of full albums, commercial jingles, movie film scores, local theatres, mass media program shows and musicals. Leow Yunn’s most recent engagement is her own composition performance: a series of “Chamber Works alla Asia”, “THE STORY OF Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva” musical and her arrangement for the “Tales of 4-Dialects” musical.

Aiden N Evelyn

Harmonica

Aiden N Evelyn is Asia’s most popular harmonica duo. They have won the “World Harmonica Competition” in Germany for two consecutive sessions and have one of the most-watched harmonica channels on YouTube.

They have been invited to perform both domestically and internationally, touring in many countries and cities, including South Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, North Korea, Beijing, Tianjin, Singapore and many others. They have also been recognized by many international cruise companies and have been invited to perform on top international cruise ships such as the Royal Caribbean, Princess, Ocean, Silver Seas, and Viking, attracting over 100,000 audiences each year.

Aiden N Evelyn are also judges for many international harmonica competitions, including the “Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival,” “Korea International Harmonica Competition,” “World Harmonica Festival,” and “Taiwan International Harmonica Festival,” and are widely regarded as some of the strongest harmonica players in the music industry.

They have collaborated with many famous Malaysian singers, such as Namewee, Yu Heng, Ah Niu, Suen Lim, Chow Kam Leong, and Yudi, recording harmonica accompaniment for their albums. Aiden also recorded music soundtrack for the local film “Ice Kacang Puppy Love,” directed by Ah Niu.

In 2010, Aiden N Evelyn released their first album, “Fresco Harmonica Ensemble,” with the Fresco Harmonica Ensemble, and in 2014, they released their first duet album, “Eternity Duet.” They have successfully trained many Asia Pacific and world harmonica champions in Malaysia and are regarded as the most influential harmonica players in their country.

Sara Heng

Guzheng

Ying Xi Heng (Sara Heng) is a Malaysian guzheng artist. After picking up the guzheng (Chinese zither) at age 12, Sara went on to receive her Masters at Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing with a full scholarship, where she trained in classical Chinese music, as well as contemporary and improvised music. In addition to playing with a number of ensembles in Kuala Lumpur, she is the bandleader of Eight Twelve, an award-winning group which blends Western and Eastern instrumentation. She has actively participated in competitions and her achievements include winning the gold medal at the musical instruments competition of conservatories in China. Sara performs internationally across Singapore, China, Japan, Korea and Cambodia.

Chong Eugene

Cello/Zhong Ruan/Keyboard

Sabahan musician Chong Eugene started his musical journey at the age of 9 with the piano, subsequently taking up the cello at the age of 15. During his years in university studying chemical engineering, he had a realization that his true passion lay in music and upon graduation, decided to become a musician. Eugene has been an active member of the Kuala Lumpur music scene since 2008, and has performed in the masterclass of renowned cellist, Jian Wang. One of the founding members of the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO), Eugene has also performed with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), the Selangor Symphony Orchestra (SSO), and other orchestras in the country. He is also a regular performer at Bachfest Malaysia and the East Malaysia Bach Cantata Singers and Orchestra, and has performed many major works by Bach, such as the Mass in B minor, St. John Passion, and numerous cantatas. 

Apart from performing classical music, Eugene has also performed in many musical and theatre productions, and has done commercial work for Astro Chinese Golden Melodies, pop orchestras and bands, collaborating with Malaysian singers Jaclyn Victor, Vince Chong, Rozz, Anna Chong, Janet Lee, and renowned Hong Kong singers like Francis Yip. Eugene’s interests and passion has also crossed into the world of Indian classical music, where he has performed with the Temple of Fine Arts in a variety of productions. He is currently a member of the Sixteen Strings String Quartet which actively performs in KL, and has toured around Malaysia with the group.

Lim Wei Siong

Erhu/Pipa

In Malacca, Wei Siong studied erhu and pipa with Lin Chao Xing in his early years. He refined his skills at the Xi’an Conservatory of Music in China, under the tutelage of Professors Wang Fangliang and Zhang Lihua, and then at the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music with Professors Yu Hongmei and Zhu Jiangbo.

He has participated in many Chinese orchestras as a soloist or an instructor, including the Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra, Malaysia Professional Chinese Orchestra, Malaysia Chinese Orchestra, Aswara University, etc.

Wei Siong has also participated with others famous musicians in numerous concerts such as at the Rainforest World Music Festival, Asian Musical Productions: Tales of 4 Dialects, Medicine Buddha, Astro Classic Golden Melody and many more. He also obtained a master’s degree from the French Multimedia University, and is currently a lecturer at the multimedia design department of SEGi University College.

How Zie

Flute/Sanxian/Zhong Ruan

Howz began his journey on the bamboo flute when he joined the Chong Hwa Independent High School Chinese Orchestra at the age of 14, studying under Long-Cheng Da and Yii-Kah Hoe.

 After graduating from High School, he went to Taiwan to study food science and continued playing the bamboo flute under the tutelage of Chao-Shu Yu, learning the ruan at the same time. Not only was he a member of Hsin Yue Chinese Orchestra, he was also a full-time flautist for the FengYun Workshop, providing services for the funeral ceremonies.

 Based in Kuala Lumpur since 2013, he is now actively involved in the performing arts. Apart from collaborating with various performing arts groups in Malaysia such as Hands Percussion, Asia Musical Productions, Red Sister Workshop, Souls Impact, he also joined the Yisheng Cantonese Opera Society and Yan Yi Cantonese Opera Society to learn the art of accompanying Chinese opera performances.

Matdin Hussin

Malay drums/Malay traditional instruments/Singer

As a Kelantanese, Matdin has been interested in music since he was 5 years old. His interest in traditional Malay instruments and music inspired him to become a professional artist, performing different genres such as Makyung, Dikir Barat, Rebana Ubi, Kertuk, Main Teri, Silat Jawi, Wayang Kulit Kelantan and Tomoi, in which he has studied under different masters since 1993.

Matdin received his formal training at Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan (ASWARA) and is a menber of Geng Wak Long, a local traditional music group, who are active in the local performing arts scene and have travelled to perform overseas to Hong Kong, Spain, Thailand and Japan.

Jimmy Ch’ng Lip Hann

Percussion

Fascinated by drums since he was 9, Jimmy started playing 24 Festive Drums at the age of 13. At 17 he became one of the original members of HANDS. A Multimedia Design graduate from The One Academy, Jimmy has a drum collection from more than 20 countries. 

He learnt to play the Malay gendang on his own and has studied the differences between Eastern and Western percussion cultures. He honed his drumming skills early in his career by studying traditional Chinese percussion in Beijing with famous masters Wang Jian Hua and Li Cong Nong, and learnt the tambourine in Malaysia with well-known Latin percussionist, Steve Thornton. 

 

A member of The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia’s (Hua Zong) 24 Festive Chinese Drums Development Department and currently the principal percussionist for HANDS he also composes for the group’s productions. In 2019, Jimmy coached and conducted 420 drummers from Chong Hwa Independent High School KL and Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Chong Hwa KL for the 100th Anniversary sport day performance which entered the Malaysia Book of Records.

 

He has collaborated with YAMATO – the drummers of Japan, THE LIGHT SURGEONS UK and DUO FATALE from Switzerland. He participated in KAKISENI’s Arts Exchange KL in 2013 and the Cracking Bamboo International Percussion Music Festival in 2010 and 2012. 

In “Wind of Nomads” 2017 Jimmy worked with Olivier Tarpaga learning the West African djembe. With I Wayan Sudirana and Gamelan Yuganada from Bali he learnt the Balinese gamelan for “Taksu” in 2019. During the pandemic in 2021, Jimmy worked with Paul Philbert on an online collaboration “Life Cycle 2.0”. His latest international performance was in January 2022 for the Dubai World Expo 2020.


Jimmy won the Best Solo Performance (Instrumental) and Best Original Composition at the 9th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards with his composition, “Striking Gold” in 2012. During the 10th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards in 2013, he won Best Original Composition for “Chapter 2: Mechanics – The Duet” a piece he composed with fellow team member, Jack Wan. At the 16th BOH Cameronian Awards in 2019 he again won Best Original Composition for “deConsTruction” in ‘UNBEATABLE’ – Kaleidoscope 5 International Drumming Festival presented by Hands Percussion.

Jack Wan Wai Keat

Percussion

Jack is a perfectionist, a fast learner and very disciplined. He started playing 24 Festive Drums when he was 8. He joined HANDS at the age of 15 as a trainee, and became a HANDS 2 member a year after. He has been a full-time performer since 2009. 

 

Jack learnt to play various percussion instruments, such as the Timpani from former Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) Principal Timpanist, Paul Philbert, the Malay hand drum from Kamrul Hussin, the Marimba from Tan Su Yin, former Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) Percussionist, the Tabla from Prakash Kandasamy, at the Temple of Fine Arts (TFA) and is teaching himself to play the jazz drum. 

 

He participated in the Cracking Bamboo International Percussion Music Festival in 2012 and the KAKISENI’s Arts Exchange KL in 2013. Jack had the honour of participating in a 7-day Online Tabla Festival in a musical tribute to the great Tabla Maestro Guru Ustad Mohamad Hanif Khan Mirajkar in 2020.

 

At the 10th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards in 2013 he and Jimmy Ch’ng were awarded the ‘Best Original Composition’ award for “Chapter 2: Mechanics – The Duet” in the production ‘The NEXT’ in 2012. As co-musical director for ‘Tchaikovsky On Gamelan’ he and Ng Siu Yee, won the ‘Best Musical Director’ award at the 12th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards. At the 13th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards Jack and Thong Yong How, won the ‘Best Music & Sound Design’ award for ‘After Dark in Tepak Tari – Program A’ by MyDance Alliance.

 

Currently, he is the 24 Festive Drums Troupe coach at SJKC Chung Kwo (Jalan Loke Yew), SJKC Ijok (Kuala Selangor), as well as at some schools in Sabah. He is also a 24 Festive Drums coach at the Hands Percussion Academy (HPA).

Show Dates & Times

– 7 Sept 2023 (Thursday) 8pm
– 8 Sept 2023 (Friday) 8pm
– 9 Sept 2023 (Saturday) 3pm & 8pm
– 10 Sept 2023 (Sunday) 3pm

Show Venue

Nero Event Space, Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre – PJPAC, 1 Utama E

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Ticket Categories

RM88

RM128

RM188

RM268

BUY 1 FREE 1 Till 25 August.

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU BOOK.

✽ This promo is available till 25 August (Friday, 12:00pm) and for Hands Club members, HPA Students, SAKTI audiences & students of ITA Ensemble’s musicians & music educators. To sign up for Hands Club, you may click in to: www.hands.com.my/hands-members-club/

✽ You will be able to choose your ticket category (RM128 or RM188). This is a free seating concert.

✽ Minimum age is 3 years old and children are subjected to the same ticket prices.

✽ Please take note that for B1F1 tickets, a RM4 processing fee applies to each free ticket. For example, if you were to purchase 1 set of B1F1 tickets, the total amount will be RM128 + RM4 (Total RM132). Please confirm you bank in the correct amount to avoid declined or incomplete transactions.

✽ You will receive a confirmation email from us after placing the booking. Then you will receive the e-tickets for entry from ONETIX before the show. 

✽ Pay via Online Transfer：
Maybank 564146637782
Hands Percussion Sdn Bhd
* Please upload your bank slip in this form. 

ITA Ensemble x Love 18: Limited Edition Artisanal Handmade Chocolate

Order Now and collect it during the concert.

  • RM38/box
  • Flavour available:
    A. 95% Extreme Bitter Dark Chocolate
    B. 75% Bitter Sweet Dark Chocolate
    C. Mint Dark Chocolate
    D. Orange Dark Chocolate
    E. Cappuccino Dark Chocolate
    F. Macademia Dark Chocolate
    G. Matcha White Chocolate


✽ Pay via Online Transfer：
Maybank 564146637782
Hands Percussion Sdn Bhd
* Please upload your bank slip in this form. 

CREATIVE TEAM
Producer:  Bernard Goh
Music Director:  Yuan Leow Yunn
Arranger:  Yuan Leow Yunn
, Chong Eugene, NINE G (Taiwan), Bernice Tay, Sebastian Ooi, Wing Lee, Loh Ui Li


PRODUCTION TEAM
Production Manager:  Reyes Tan
Lighting Designer:  Tan Eng Heng
Projection Designer:  Kienpin Lee, Koo Fu Xiong
Stage Manager:  Jaslyn Niow
Stage Crew:  Kok Ming Jing, Ylva Pong
Lighting Assistant:  Timothy Lau
Sound Engineer:  Ivan Beh
Sound Crew:  Chong Zhi Wen, Teoh Kai Yen, Olivia Chaw Jia Wuan, Liew Jing Ying
Projection Operator:  Summer Chia 

PROMOTION TEAM
Marketing Manager:  Cloud Lim
Media Relations:  Zoe Lee 

Graphic Designer:  Charis Ng Studio
FOH cum Ticketing Manager:  Adeline Look
FOH Crew: Phang Jia Sheng, Ng Xiang Ying 

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY 
Joesynn Low
AL Ho
Canny Koo
Yeong Chee Ming
Philip Ngu

SUPPORTED BY:

Produced & Presented by:

Co-presented by:

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