10 ASEAN Musicians Foregather In One Stage

KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 (Bernama) -- Albeit different languages and cultures, 10 young ASEAN musicians have proven that music is the universal language of mankind when they showcased a spectacular cultural rendition in C asean Consonant Concert at the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC) here recently. Playing their national musical instruments, these talented virtuosis from Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Brunei, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia mesmerised the audience by accentuating the uniqueness of ASEAN countries' traditional songs foregather in a stage. This one-hour orchestra filled the air with a harmonious yet mellifluous performance of famous folks songs like Hola Helo from Brunei, Dayung Sampan (Singapore), Salim Dumai (Philiphines), Loy Krathong (Thailand) and Pandang Pandang Jeling Jeling (Malaysia). One of the musicians from Sumatera, Indonesia, Agung Hero Hernanda, 24, said he could not agree more that music was a powerful tool which could unite different people with various backgrounds. "Even though we tuned different musical instruments, by interacting through music it created a strong bond amongst us (performers)," he told Bernama after the show here. The graduate from Indonesian Arts Institute majoring in music composition hoped the future generation could keep their national identity and heritage alive. Local conductor in the orchestra, Mohd Yazid Zakaria said each of the musicians as a professional in their own right. He is also music director of Malaysian Traditional Orchestra at Malaysia's Istana Budaya. With the theme, 'The Sound and Spirit of ASEAN', C asean Consonant Concert is organised by C asean, a social enterprise with an aim to strengthen regional connectivity by promoting high growth environment for the ASEAN business, as well as uplifting public knowledge, awareness and understanding on the regional integration. C asean managing director Dr Karndee Leopairote said the show was focused in bringing young musicians across ASEAN regions in a stage, besides encouraging them to uphold their unique heritage in music for the future generation to appreciate. She said the next performance would be held on April 8 at the National University of Singapore. -- BERNAMA