A Symphony of Memories at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas

Symphony of Memories at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas

ELLFIAN RAHIM | 17 March 2026

The Dewan Filharmonik Petronas is widely celebrated for its acoustics and curated programmes that regularly bring together international maestros and leading Malaysian talents.

AT the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s cultural landscape stands the magnificent Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP), a world-class concert hall that has, for more than two decades, anchored the city’s reputation as a centre for live music and performance. As the home of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, the venue is widely celebrated for its exceptional acoustics and carefully curated programmes that regularly bring together international maestros and leading Malaysian talents.

Located at the base of the Petronas Twin Towers, DFP was designed by Cesar Pelli in the classic style of 19th-century European concert halls. The 920-seat venue – complete with box seats, corporate and royal suites –features a Klais Pipe Organ, making it a world-class stage for both local and international performances. DFP’s success has also been attributed to its architectural design and recording studio modelled after the legendary Abbey Road Studios.

For anyone visiting Kuala Lumpur with a love for music, a stop at the DFP is a must. Beyond its architectural splendour, the hall offers an immersive experience where every note resonates with clarity and emotion. Whether you attend a symphony, a solo recital, or a special collaboration, DFP provides a uniquely intimate encounter with music – one that differs from your usual concert or live performance, leaving a lasting impression on both seasoned concertgoers and casual music enthusiasts alike.

On March 28, Dewan Filharmonik Petronas will host Symphony of Memories: A Journey Through Mandarin Classics, a concert that revisits some of the most beloved Mandopop songs ever recorded. These sentimental favourites have remained popular across generations in Malaysia, thanks to their evocative melodies, poignant lyrics and enduring presence in television dramas, films and karaoke culture.

The evening will feature 17 well-known Mandopop tracks spanning several decades, reaching as far back as the 1960s. Among them are The Olive Tree, the iconic Taiwanese folk song written by San Mao and composed by Li Tai-Hsiang, as well as Rainbow, originally performed by Taiwanese rock duo Power Station.

For this concert, these radio favourites will receive new symphonic interpretations through arrangements by Jenny Chin, Ilham Subri, Azhad Sulaiman, Teuku Umar Ilany, Leonard Yap Wong Jun Xian and Shahakam Mokhtar. Under the baton of Hong Kong conductor Francis Kan, the orchestra will be joined by vocalists Janet Lee, Izen Kong, Layla Sania and Daniel Cheah.

Janet Lee and Izen Kong are looking forward to performing at DFP once again.

For Lee, who will perform The Olive Tree, preparing for a piece so deeply rooted in nostalgia requires careful attention. “If you have time to listen to the original, you’ll find that it’s loaded with emotion – both in the lyrics, the way it’s sung and how the music is played,” she reveals.

Lee is widely known locally as the “Queen of Shanghai Jazz”, and has spent more than two decades performing music that blends early Mandarin pop from the 1920s to 1950s with elements of the American songbook. She regularly collaborates with noted pianist Tay Cher Siang and the WVC Malaysian Jazz Ensemble, and has performed at various venues in the city.

For her, the excitement lies in hearing a familiar Mandarin classic transformed for the concert hall. “Jenny Chin has done a completely new arrangement for the song, and it sounds absolutely wonderful to me,” she says. “It also helps that the song was wildly famous when it first came out, and I bet the audience will definitely be transported to another, more distant reality.”

Meanwhile, pop crooner Izen Kong brings a versatile musical background that spans opera, jazz, R&B and musical theatre. The 30-year-old performer has appeared on the international singing competition franchise The Voice, also performs regularly at Kuala Lumpur venues including Bobo KL and Alexis Bistro, and is no stranger to the stage at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas.

“Actually, I did All That Jazz just last year with the MPO… so you could say that I’m kind of a regular fixture,” Kong reveals with a chuckle. For this concert, he is particularly looking forward to performing Solace, originally sung by Cantopop legend Jacky Cheung.

Both singers are also looking forward to performing once again at DFP – a venue whose acoustics present a very different experience from the bars and live music lounges where many performers often begin their careers. “DFP is a formal, prestigious venue with a strict no-latecomer policy,” Lee says.

Kong adds that performing alongside a full orchestra demands a very different level of preparation. “Singing with a big orchestra requires specialised vocal technique, deep musical preparation and, in many cases, amplification to ensure one’s voice carries over a large ensemble,” he says.

Music all year round

Music lovers who find themselves drawn to Symphony of Memories may well discover that it is only the beginning of what MPO has in store this year.

Performing regularly at the magnificent DFP, the orchestra’s calendar is filled with programmes that span genres, eras and musical traditions. From classical masterworks to themed showcases and contemporary favourites, the upcoming season promises plenty of reasons to return to the concert hall.

Here’s our pick of some of its outstanding local talents set to entertain later this year:

Norzizi Zulkifli, Jaclyn Victor and Alena Murang are some of the local acts you can see in action at DFP this year.

Looking Ahead

A Tribute to Sharifah Aini – June 6: Celebrate the timeless legacy of the late Biduanita Negara Sharifah Aini with an evening of her most beloved classics. From Seri Dewi Malam to Mawar Putih Untuk Mama, this concert promises a heartfelt walk down memory lane, showcasing her mastery across zapin, joget and pop.

Mak Yong Shakespeare: The Comedy of Errors – July 15: Witness Shakespeare reimagined through the centuries-old Kelantanese dance theatre of Mak Yong. Directed by educator and cross-cultural stage innovator Norzizi Zulkifli, this vibrant adaptation blends song, dance and music to retell The Comedy of Errors. A rare fusion of traditional performing arts and Shakespearean comedy, presented in the world-class acoustics of DFP.

A Tribute to Alfonso Soliano – Sept 2: Pay homage to one of Malaysia’s jazz pioneers, Alfonso Soliano. Led by conductor Ahmad Muriz Che Rose with The Solianos ensemble, this concert revives Soliano’s timeless works, celebrating his visionary contributions to the country’s music scene.

Jaclyn Victor Gemilang Bersama MPO – Oct 17: Malaysian Idol champion Jaclyn Victor returns to DFP with fresh orchestral arrangements and emotional depth. Under Ahmad Muriz Che Rose’s direction, Jaclyn’s powerhouse vocals meet the MPO’s orchestral finesse in an evening that celebrates two decades of her musical journey.

Beats of Borneo: Alena Murang with the MPO – Oct 31: Experience a cultural milestone as sape' virtuoso Alena Murang premieres a groundbreaking concerto composed by Vivian Chua for sape' and orchestra – the first work of its kind. From Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin to Mozart’s Symphony No. 40, this programme bridges traditional Bornean heritage with orchestral innovation.

Check the full list of showcases and concerts set to happen at Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra here.

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