The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) gave its inaugural performance under founding Music Director Kees Bakels in Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS, Kuala Lumpur, on 17th August 1998. Over the past eight seasons it has consistently impressed and inspired audiences with its excellent performances.

The initial search in 1997 for outstanding musicians involved a worldwide audition tour. The result is a 105-member symphony orchestra made up of musicians from 25 nations and is a remarkable example of harmony among different cultures and nationalities.

A host of internationally-acclaimed musicians has worked with the MPO, including Lorin Maazel, Gennadi Rozhdestvensky, Mstislav Rostropovich, Jiri Belohávek, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Sir Neville Marriner, Yehudi Menuhin, Vadim Repin, Joshua Bell, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Truls Mørk, Sumi Jo and Simon Preston. Many of these have praised the MPO for its musical qualities and vitality.

The 06/07 season is Matthias Bamert’s second as Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the MPO. He continues the work of attracting a loyal and appreciative following in Malaysia while building on the Orchestra’s enviable reputation for musical excellence. Its annual schedule of more than 100 concerts draws from over three centuries of orchestral repertory as well as chamber, contemporary and specially commissioned new music.

The MPO’s mission is to nurture an interest in classical music in Malaysia, a key component of this being the encouragement of home-grown talent. ENCOUNTER, the MPO Education and Outreach Programme, reaches beyond the concert platform to develop musical awareness, appreciation and skills through dedicated activities, which include instrumental lessons, workshops and schools’ concerts. The most recent manifestation of this commitment is the creation of the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, coached by the MPO players.

A highly specialised programme – the MPO Forum for Malaysian Composers – was instituted to provide an opportunity for Malaysian composers to work creatively alongside the Orchestra. Subsequently the MPO International Composers’ Award was initiated in November 2004 with interest shown from composers in over 40 countries.

Touring has become an important ingredient in raising the MPO’s profile. It has regularly visited the major cities of Malaysia, as well as Singapore, and international tours have included Japan and Korea (November 2001), Australia (October 2004) and China (September 2006).

In its relatively brief existence the MPO has established itself as a respected recording orchestra. Twelve CDs have so far been released, including ten internationally for the Vox, BIS and Naxos labels.

The MPO’s motto “Hear and You Will See” is a reflection of its purpose: to share the depth, power and beauty of great music.

The MPO is proudly sponsored by
Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS).