Crossover: Carnival of Venice

Crossover: Carnival of Venice is a concert of Western classical music that brings to you the sounds and wonders of the flute, by professional flautist Foo Chie Haur, pianist Maxy Chan a special guest, Eugenia Lou, and the excitement of the famous Venetian carnival! Join us for a weekend of music and joy!

Flute: Foo Chie Haur
Piano: Maxy Chan
Special Guest: Eugenia Lou

Admission by minimum donation of
RM30 (Adult)
RM20 (Student) 

Inquiries: 016-3618504 / etoccata@gmail.com

Join us for a weekend of excitement into the world of classical music!

New year, new performances!

Date/Time: 11/1/14 (Sunday) 3pm 

Venue: Toccata Studio 

Admission by min. donation: RM40 

Drawing inspiration from the many facets of modern life, influenced by Malaysian and other Asian cultures, the music of WVC TRiO +1 cuts across many musical genres and defies any kind of classification. Tunes such as “The Art of the Wind Up Alarm Clock”, “Found and Lost”, “Standing in the Rain on Euclid Avenue” tries to examine and express the human condition in modern life, using the art form known as "jazz" as its stylistic musical vehicle. 

Formed in 2006 as a trio, WVC TRiO +1 completed its quartet line up with the addition of saxophonist Julian Chan. The group has toured extensively in the region, heralding back the spirit being "on the road" of touring jazz bands of old. Through these regional tours, WVC TRiO +1 has brought its music to many corners of Malaysia, Singapore, China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Macao. In one of these tours, the quartet managed to travel extensively over 18 cities within a month, using different means of transportation, playing in many different types of venues.

WVC TRiO +1 has three instrumental albums - “WVC TRiO” (2008), “ELEVEN” (2009), “In the Dark, I See Her” (2011) - that explored different musical genres (while maintaining the spirit of jazz as its core) and combinations in its line-up. Most of the tunes recorded are original tunes written by the band members. In addition, the band also experiments with transforming unlikely pop tunes, Chinese classics, and many mainstream music into new jazz re-arrangements, in the spirit of the great jazz musicians of old.

WVC TRiO +1 has been invited to appear in many festivals in the region such as Taichung Jazz Festival, Kota Kinabalu Jazz Festival, Phuket International Jazz Festival, Tianjin International Jazz Fest, Macao International Jazz Week and many others. In addition, the band has played extensively in the Malaysian local jazz clubs, from No Black Tie, Nero Fico, (the now defunct) Venue, and many others.

The present incarnation of the WVC Trio + 1 consists of bandleader/composer/arranger/music director/pianist Tay Cher Siang, bassist AJ, drummer KJ Wong and saxophonist Julian Chan. The band remains one of the most active units in the Malaysian performance circuit and is one of the most sought after bands in Malaysia for Hi-Fi recordings and live performances.

Gerry Hemingway - Drum Set, Composer

Sarah Weaver - Composer 

Gerry Hemingway’s solo concert program will premiere two new solo works composed by Sarah Weaver along with a selection of acoustic works that are from the vast solo repertoire Mr. Hemingway has developed over the past 40 years.

Date and Time: 20 January 2015, 8.30pm

Venue: Toccata Studio, 19B ,SS2/55, 47300 PJ

Admission: minimum donation RM30

Contact: 016-3618504

This performance is co-organized with KLEX KL Experimental Film and Video Festival 

吉隆坡实验电影节 

Partially supported by Pro Helvetia, Liminal Music Inc.

photo credit: Erika Kapin Photography

POLKA • PLAYGROUND is returning to Toccata Studio this 23rd January! 

NG CHOR GUAN (theremin and laptop)
JIMMY CHONG aka JIMMY ZHAI (percussion)
GIDEON ALUBAKHAN CHEN (zither)

Date/Time: 23/1/2015 (Friday), 8.30pm
Venue: Toccata Studio
Admission by min donation: RM30

Call/text 016-3618504 to reserve your seats now!

Rosalind Phang: A Solo Piano Recital

Rosalind is an active performer and enjoys collaborating in chamber music and piano duos. In 2007, Rosalind performed Shostakovich’s 2nd Piano Concerto with orchestra and in 2010, Chopin’s 2nd Piano Concerto with a string quintet arrangement in numerous concerts. She also premiered contemporary Swiss composer’s Cecile Marti’s piece, “Changing Five” at the Swiss Ambassadors’ Residence in London. In May 2012, Rosalind went on a concert tour to Holland performing for three consecutive days where she also played the Dutch premiere of Debussy’s Jeux for two pianos, arranged by pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet. In March 2013, she performed Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with the Dinas Powys Orchestra in Wales. Rosalind has also performed in many concert halls in the United Kingdom, including Cadogan Hall, St James’ Church Picadilly, and Wigmore Hall

Rosalind Phang Solo Piano Recital at Toccata Studio 

Date & Time: 28 Dec 2014 @ 3pm 

Venue: Toccata Studio, 19B, SS2/55, 47300 PJ.

Contact: 016-3618504

Admission : minimum donation RM30

Program: 

Frederic Chopin - Piano Sonata no.2 in B-flat minor, op.35 

I. Grave - Doppio movimento

II. Scherzo

III. Marche funèbre: Lento

IV. Finale: Presto

Claude Debussy - Images (Book 2)

I. Cloches à travers les feuilles

II. Et la lune descend sur le temple qui fut

III. Poissons d'or

Franz Liszt - Légendes - St François de Paule: marchant sur les flots

Call/text 016-3618504 to reserve your seats now!

A Concert by Terence Chong and Friends

One. Two. Three. 

Friends of Terence include a pianist, Eugene Chong, an oboist, Nelson Wong, 

and guest player, Lawrence Fong on the clarinet.

Venue: Toccata Studio, 19b, SS2/55, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Date/time: 30/7/2014, 8.30pm. 

Admission by minimum donation of RM30. 

"THE CLASSICS! - a concert featuring two flutes and piano"

“THE CLASSICS!” – a concert featuring two flutes and piano

Flutes: Dr. Jennifer Teng, Foo Chie Haur

Piano: Yong Sue Yi

Date and Time : 26^th  April 2014 @ 830pm, 27^th April 2014 @ 3pm

Venue: Toccata Studio, 19B, SS2/55, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

Admission: minimum donation RM25

Contact: 016-3618504

Blog: www.toccatastudio.blogspot.com

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Moving Bach

 

Contemporary dance and baroque Bach music.

Artistic Director: Ng Chor Guan 

Dancer/ Choreographer: Steve Goh, Aida Redza

Musician: Tan Su Yin, Dylan Lee & Ng Chor Guan 

Idea initiated and produced by: Tan E-Jan 

Date & Time: March 15 @ 8:30pm (Saturday), March 16 @ 3:00pm (Sunday)

Venue: Toccata Studio, 19B, SS2/55, 47300 

Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

Admission: By minimum donation RM 30

Contact: 016-3618504

Blog: http://toccatastudio.blogspot.com/

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舞动巴哈-巴洛克音乐和现代舞蹈的对话

当巴洛克音乐遇见现代舞蹈的刹那， 你脑海浮现了怎样的画面呢？

参与表演的艺术家包括青年舞蹈编舞家吴振辉及资深舞蹈编舞家 Aida Redza；音乐家陈素音，李名堂及黄楚原。巴洛克音乐的传统与规律，现代舞蹈的奔放与激情，当两者相互对谈、相互碰撞、以致相互融合，过程将是如何与众不同？期待“舞动巴哈”迸发出全新非凡的火花。

日期、时间：3 月 15 日（星期六）， 晚上 八点三十分

               3 月 16 日（星期日），中午 三点正

地点：Toccata Studio, 19 B, SS2/55, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

入场：最低乐捐 30 零吉

联络：016－3618504

网页：www.toccatastudio.blogspot.com

面子书：Toccata Studio

Please browse our youtube website to watch the teaser if you've missed it.

Here is the youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tafTiO5oHzQ

PIANO POTPOURRI - a few of my favorite things!

A piano recital by Geraldine ONG

Recital
Date: 4th January 2014
TIme: 8pm
Admission: by minimum donation RM30...
Venue: Toccata Studio 19B, SS2/55, 47300 PJ, Selangor, Malaysia .

Masterclass

Date: 5 january 2014
Time: 2pm
venue: Toccata Studio, 19b, SS2/55, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
Admission:
Participants RM160 /hour (limited slots)
Observers RM 30 entire session

To make reservations, please contact 016-3618504 or email to etoccata@gmail.com.

For more information, please log on to:-
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ToccataStudio

Geraldine Ong recently received a tenure-track position at Valley City State University as Assistant Professor of Applied and Collaborative Piano. Her duties at VCSU include teaching applied piano and class piano, collaborating on faculty and student recitals, accompanying vocal ensembles, and co-teaching piano pedagogy courses. Geraldine previously served as adjunct faculty at Houston Community College and University of Houston. She received a Doctor of Musical Arts from University of Houston Moores School of Music studying with renowned pedagogue Nancy Weems. She was a recipient of the University of Houston Presidential Graduate Fellowship, awarded to students of exceptional caliber who represent extraordinary academic credentials. Prior to doctoral studies, she received her master's and bachelor's degrees from Northwestern University and Missouri State University. Her principle teachers include Alan Chow, Su Wei-Han, and Ng Chong Lim.

Born in Seremban, Geraldine was surrounded by music from an early age. Growing up, she studied piano because she loved playing for fun, but when the opportunity arose to pursue piano performance in the United States for college, she became serious about piano as a career.

An accomplished concert pianist, Geraldine has been featured playing Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto with the Houston Symphony and Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra, Ravel’s Left Hand Concerto with Houston Civic Symphony, and Mozart’s C-Major Piano Concerto K. 467 with New Orleans Civic Symphony. She has performed internationally, with concerts in Asia, Europe, and the United States, including a debut at the Kennedy Center, Washington D.C., and Parc de Bel Ebat in France, where Ravel’s Piano Trio was premiered.

In the past two years, she has been performing solo and chamber recitals regularly with the Da Camera of Houston Young Artist and Greenbriar Consortium. She has also collaborated with the Houston Grand Opera Co. and AURA Contemporary Ensemble. In addition, her performances have been featured on Fox Television Network KRIV Channel-26 and KUHA 91.7 FM radio The Front Row. Her recent accolades include special recognition at the San Antonio International Piano Competition, fourth place and audience prize at the Ima Hogg National Concerto Competition, first place at the New Orleans Piano Institute Concerto Competition, and third place at the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Competition.

Flute Recital by Ron Korb

NEW MUSIC FROM THE PRINCE OF FLUTES - Journey across lively Europe with Ron Korb's award-winning Europa

Ron Korb is an award-winning Canadian composer and flutist. He has travelled widely to collect flutes and learn their secrets. Reflecting Celtic, Asian, classical, jazz and Latin influences, his music embodies the diverse cultures, traditions and experiences of his travels.

This concert is part of Korb’s Asia Tour which also includes Shanghai and Taiwan. Korb will perform works from his new album Europa, the latest in a string of 30 critically acclaimed bestselling CDs across 20 countries on various record labels. The audience can enjoy works like Mozart’s Wedding, Beethoven Pasqualatihaus and St. Johann inspired by Bach, Beethoven and Mozart, brilliantly mixing classical and jazz. Korb’s music will bring alive the cafes of Paris, the canals of Venice, the memories of Ireland, Shakespeare’s England, and the Christmas markets of Prague.

Europa was hailed at The Global Music Awards in Los Angeles, USA, winning prizes for Album of the Year, Best Composition, Best Solo Performance and Best Graphic Design. A soulful work from the album, Beckett’s Whisper, was a finalist in the International Acoustic Music Awards.

Join this prince of flutes on a journey back to an age of European elegance and romance!

Date: 26 Oct 2013 (Saturday)

Time: 8:30pm

Venue: Toccata Studio.19B, SS2/55, PJ.

Admission: Minimum donation of RM30

Enquiry

Toccata Studio
Contact: 016-3618504, 014-2486248
URL: www.toccatastudio.blogspot.com
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String Voyage by MIVOS String Quartet (New York)

Strings Voyage – Mivos String Quartet in Malaysia

Date & Time: 20 October 2013, 3pm

Venue: Experimental Theatre, University of Malaya

Admission: By donation adults RM40, Students RM25

Contact: 016-3618504, 014-2486248

URL: www.toccatastudio.blogspot.com

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Toccata studio is proud to present “String Voyage”, a contemporary classical concert featuring Mivos String Quartet from the United States. The quartet will stage its first ever performance in Malaysia on 20^th October 2013 at the Experimental Theatre of University of Malaya. The show will begin at 3pm and admission is via donation, with spectators choosing how much to give.

The group, described by the New York Times as an “accomplished, admirably broad-minded young string quartet”, has performed around the world, in Britain, Germany, Italy and Hong Kong, and collaborated with a series of well-known international composers. The quartet will perform a range of music by contemporary American composers, including Phillip Glass and Alex Mincek.

The concert will also feature an innovative piece by one of Malaysia’s most sought-after composers Ng Chor Guan, incorporating elements of a traditional string quartet and music created by mobile phones. In a technique dubbed “mobile phone orchestra”, spectators are asked to record sounds on their phones, which are then played during the performance.

Mivos Quartet, which focuses on performing the works of contemporary composers, has had enjoyed a meteoric rise since it was formed in 2008 by a group of young musicians doing post-graduate study at the Manhattan School of Music.

The quarter was one of five groups selected for the Young Ensembles Fellowship at the 2012 Darmstadt Internationalen Ferienkurse für Neue Musik in Germany, where they were awarded a Fellowship Prize for Interpretation. Mivos was also invited for a two-week residency at Aldeburgh Music in the UK earlier this year, where they performed several concerts featuring repertoire by British and American composers.

The group consists of violinists Olivia De Prato and Joshua Modney, violist Victor Lowrie and cellist Mariel Roberts. They have studied with members of leading contemporary music ensembles such as Curtis Macomber and Fred Sherry.

The up-and-coming group has also collaborated with Helmut Lachenmann, Anna Clyne, Wolfgang Rihm, Samson Young, Luke DuBois, Philip Glass, Huang Ruo, Felipe Lara, Sam Pluta, Tristan Perich and Kirsten Broberg.

Apart from their musical performance, Mivos is active in education and has conducted workshops at CUNY Graduate Center, Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory (Singapore), the Hong Kong Art Center and MIAM University in Istanbul (Turkey).

Beyond expanding their string quartet repertoire, Mivos is committed to working with guest artists and exploring multi-media projects involving live video and electronics. Improvisation is also an integral part of their performances and has led to collaborations with artists such as Ned Rothenberg, Chris Speed, Timucin Sahin and Nate Wooley.

Toccata Studio, which promotes creativity in arts and music primarily, is not only a platform for artists but it is also a place for various forms of music and arts to meet. We produce quality innovative and creative performances as well as classical music concerts. We welcome everyone to join us in our endless endeavour to nurture a society filled with arts, music and culture.

For more information about “String Voyage” and Toccata Studio, please contact 016-3618504 or 014-2486248

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NSO Wind Ensemble in Bukit Mertajam and Penang

Date, Time, Venue: 24 Aug 2013, 5-6pm Workshop + 8-9pm Concert at 

Jit Sin Independent High

School, Bukit Mertajam, Penang. 

Date, Time, Venue: 25 Aug 2013, 930-1030 am Concert + 11-12noon Workshop at Penang Chinese Girls Primary School 

MALAYSIA NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WIND ENSEMBLE

The MNSO Wind ensemble has it's begining as an Wind Octet back in 1986 formed by the wind players of the then OSM (Orkestra Simfoni Muda) a training orchestra precursor to the present NSO.

Today the ensemble takes a freer form, from trios, quartets to large ensembles even sometimes incorporating strings and other instruments.

When The NSO was formally launched in 1993, the ensemble took an active role in introducing the orchestra to the public by performing regularly in informal foyer concerts before the main perfomance and was also featured prominently in a few of the NSO's main concerts. It was also involve in some of the NSO's outreach programmes.

The ensemble has also participated in masterclasses with the Albion Ensemble and the Schubert Ensemble.

Program for "A little Musical Offering"

Joseph Haydn, arr. Perry - Divertimento No.1 in B flat major, Hob.II:46

Nino Rota - Piccola Offerta Musicale

Luciano Berio - Opus Number Zoo

Jacques Ibert - Trois Pieces Breves

Joe Hisaishi, arr. Maruyama - Studio Ghibli Medley

Musicians

Flute - Foo Chie Haur

Oboe  - Howard Ng Su Chee

Clarinet - Lawrence Fong Yee Seong

Bassoon - Midori Suzuki

French Horn - Heng Zhi Wen

A Brief Program Notes

Joseph Haydn, arr. Harold Perry - Divertimento No.1 in B flat major, Hob.II:46

1.     Allegro con spirito

2.     Andante quasi Allegretto

3.     Menuetto

4.     Rondo: Allegretto

The “Divertimento in B flat major, Hob II-46” is a part of “6 Feld Partiten” (compositions designed for outdoor performances in the divertimento style) by Joseph Haydn, which are said to have been composed around 1780. The original work was written for 2 Oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 horns and 2 bassoons in the popular court entertainment style of the late 18th century, i.e. harmoniemusik. The second movement of the piece, with the title “Chorale St. Antoni” is written with a theme borrowed from a traditional hymn. The third and fourth movement are the variations of the theme.

Nino Rota - Petite Offrande Musicale

Throughout his life Nino Rota composed not only for the silver screen but also orchestral, chamber and choral music. The “Petite Offrande Musicale (Little Musical Offering) was written under the influence of Alfredo Casella, the dedicatee of this work as well as teacher of the young Rota. French elements could be traced through the title and the structure of the piece. It is a beautiful example of Nino Rota’s vast and varied output throughout his incredible career.

Luciana Berio – Opus Number Zoo

In 1951, having recently graduated from the conservatory in Milan, Luciano Berio wrote “Opus Number Zoo” for wind quintet. He combined music and theater in this piece with the use of poems by Rhoda Levine as text. Despite subtitled a “children’s play”, the poems hint of darkness. Berio depicted animal characters often associated with stories for children such as foxes, chicken, mice, and cats; but behind the obvious it illustrates violence, the horror of war, and death. The piece is made out of movements titled “Barn Dance”, “The Fawn”, “The Grey Mouse” and “Tom Cats”.

Jacques Ibert - Trois pièces brèves

The “Trois pièces brèves” (Three Short Pieces), is one of Jacques Ibert’s most frequently performed works. Written in 1930,  it was clearly meant for the purpose of pure entertainment. Like many of his other compositions, it is light hearted, witty, and iconic of his composition style; a style most often associated with the domination of elegant virtuosity.

Joe Hisaishi, arr.  Kazunori Maruyama - Studio Ghibli Medley

The “Studio Ghibli Medley”, arranged for wind quintet in four separate movements will consist of music from the following films: “Laputa: Castle In The Sky”, “Princess Mononoke”, “Kiki's Delivery Service” and “Howl's Moving Castle”.  We hope this lighthearted end to the program will leave you with much joy.

MUSICIAN’S BIOGRAPHY

Flute - Foo Chie Haur

Foo Chie Haur is currently principal flutist with National Symphony Orchestra. He has studied with Trevor Wye, Hristo Dobrinov and Yukako Yamamoto. His musical endeavors has brought him to WASBE International Youth Wind Orchestra in Singapore, Canton International Summer Music Academy in Guangzhou, as well as tours to major Asian cities with Asian Youth Orchestra. He has also performed with Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and Macau Orchestra. He also involved with Dama Orchestra where he had the chance to perform in various local theatre productions. Besides holding Fellowship (FTCL) Recital Diploma of Trinity Guildhall, Chie Haur also holds a Bachelor Degree in Science.

Oboe - Howard Ng Su Chee

A native of Kota Kinabalu and a graduate of Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Singapore, Howard Ng Su Chee is currently principal oboist of NSO. As an orchestral musician Howard has performed with Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Asian Youth Orchestra in 2010 and 2012, Singapore Festival Youth Orchestra, Orchestra of Music Makers Singapore and Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, where he was also a pioneering member. In the past Howard has appeared as soloist with Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.

Clarinet - LAWRENCE Fong Yee Seong

Lawrence Fong Yee Seong is currently co-principal clarinetist of NSO. Before his appointment with NSO in 1997, he was principal clarinetist of KL City Hall Orchestra from 1994-1997, and performed Mozart’s clarinet concerto and Weber’s clarinet concertino whilst there. Lawrence has also performed with ensembles such as P.J. Youth Symphonic Band (1993 and 1997 International Musicale in Shizuoka, Japan), Commonwealth Youth Orchestra, and Orchestra Internazionale D’Italia among others. With NSO, he has performed in tours of Singapore, Jakarta, Tokyo and Osaka. Since 2009, Lawrence is also a regular member of High Winds Ensemble.

French Horn - Heng Zhi Wen

Born in Kuala Lumpur, Heng Zhi Wen started playing French horn at the age of 14. Upon graduation from the University College Sedaya International (UCSI), Zhi Wen was appointed as Assistant Principal French horn player of NSO. She is also founding a member of Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. As a student, she took lessons and masterclasses under a few teachers; they are Lin Jiang, James Schumacker, Vyacheslav Kim, Ludwig Rast, Simon de Souza, Angela Barnes, Hervé Joulain, Zlost Peter, Peter Davida and Sabina Pade.

Bassoon - Midori Suzuki

Midori Suzuki is currently bassoonist with NSO. She was long acquainted with this orchestra as a guest bassoonist since 1999 before becoming a full time musician of the orchestra in 2009. She is also actively involved in teaching and performing around Kuala Lumpur city. Before Midori settled down in Malaysia, she was selected to join Asian Youth Orchestra, invited by Pusan Symphony Orchestra to Korea, and performed regularly in Japan as soloist and chamber musician. She won 3^rd prize in Chamber Music Competition organized by JILA (International Art Association) in Tokyo, Japan. Midori studied bassoon with Myashita Masahiko, Minakawa Shigeko, and Okazaki Kouji who were principal bassoonists from major orchestras of Japan.

Toccata Studio

19b, Jalan SS2/55, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia