Unforgettable - Royal Charity Gala Night

Once again, I have to thank SP Setia for the invitation to their Unforgettable-Konsert Amal Diraja (whom they were the main sponsor) at the Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centere. The concert was to raise funds for the Alzheimers Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM), featured 66 world-class musicians from 10 different countries under the lead of New York-based conductor, Eugene Pook. Sesuai sangat dengan akak yang selalu lupa-lupa sejak dua-menjak nie.

Co-incidently, that night was the 64th birthday of His Royal Highness, The Sultan of Selangor, DYMM Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Al-Haj. Another royal guests were His Royal Highness Dr. Raja Nazrin Shah and Tuanku Zara (santekkk sekali macam model). Hence, the Royal Charity Gala Night. Nasib lah I tak berhias cantik2 malam tu, kalau tak sure lah jadi birthday present to the most eligible bachelor for the night. Teringat kisah time terima watikah from the Sultan late father. Semua tak berani nak senyum kat the late Royal Highness masa ambik watikah takut - "Beta berkenan".

I have always wanted to watch a concerto or live orchestra playing classical pieces from Bach /Pachebel (my personal fav) or scores from famous movies like Beauty and The Beast, Titanic or Phantom of the Opera. Been planning to watch a few shows by the Malaysia Philhalmonic Orchestra, but haven't met the right companion for that. Anyway as I was savouring the symphonic magic of the night how I wish that my parents could afford to sent me for a musical lesson so at least I could play one musical instrument. So far the only musical instrument that I learned to play formally was the recorder (a type of flute).

Then suddenly I heard a familiar sound that usually add some drama or liven up or act as a climax to a score. "Ting Ting Ting". Laaa ... kerincing. Nampaknya ada jugak musical instrument lain yang I tau main. Kalau main kerincing pun boleh jadi world-class performer so I pun dengan bangga boleh lah anggap diri i world class musician hehehe

The orchestra played to scores from Phantom of the Opera, Star Wars and some pieces that I am not familiar with. There was also a solo performance from award winning violinist Jessica Lee and Estee Pook who sang to New York, New York and a Mandarin song. Anyway, throughout the night I was waiting for Sean Ghazi. And his vocal performance to Bridge Over Troubled Water, Semalam, Hujan Di Tengah Hari, Unforgettable and Sway memang tak mengecewakan. Tapi if I had a say to the selection of vocalists ... I think the organiser in the future should consider Farhan AF4.

When Sean told the audience that "tonight was magical" because for it will be the first time that his own song Semalam be played by 66 world-class musicians assemble ... I could understand his feelings. I think it is every singer or vocallist dream to sing to an orchaestra and LIVE in front of say 3000 audience. I remembered singing "How Do I Live" accompanied by a 3-piece band (piano, bass guitar and lead guitar) to a live audience at Hyatt KK.

My feelings that time? Excerpt from Sean Ghazi's speech ... "barulah terasa Malaysia Bolehness and some Syok Sendiriness"...

However the highlight of the night belongs to Datuk Razman Hashim, Deputy Chairman of Sunway Group. He really wowed the crowd with his down to earth performance and rendition to "Piece of My Heart". Kalah Sean Ghazi (seriously) ... sampai tak sedar I cheered so loud for him. Sorry Sean, kadang2 lelaki lebih tua lebih berpengalaman ... auwww