‘The Art Of Sound’ Will Make You Fall In Love With Classical Music Again
Written by Eksentrika
What happens when a classically trained violinist, a pop powerhouse, and a conductor with a knack for pushing musical boundaries step into the same spotlight? You get The Art of Sound, an ambitious orchestral concert that dares to ask what music can make us feel.
Happening on 19 and 20 of April 2025 at Stage 1 Theatre, PJPAC, The Art of Sound is an invitation to sit down, let go, and let the music speak. Whether you’re the sort who can hum along to Bruch or someone who thinks Stravinsky might be a TikTok trend, this is a night designed to resonate — emotionally, sonically, viscerally.
At the heart of it is a genre-defying trio: internationally acclaimed violinist Nancy Zhou, Malaysian vocal legend Jaclyn Victor, and the ever-curious conductor Kevin Field. Backed by the versatile Tutan Festival Orchestra, the evening blends the cinematic drama of The Firebird Suite, the rich romanticism of Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, and the world orchestral premiere of Glorious, Jaclyn’s anthemic ballad reimagined for symphonic scale.
We recently sat down with the trio — Kevin, Nancy and Jaclyn — to peel back the curtain on the passion, preparation, and personal stakes behind The Art of Sound.
Thoughts on the concerto:
Nancy, Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 is deeply emotional — what personal connection do you have with this piece?
Nancy: Of his first violin concerto, the composer writes: “I rewrote it at least a half dozen times, and conferred with x violinists before it achieved its final form”.
I find myself naturally drawn to works that undergo such labor of love — it is a work that is sensitively written for the violin and for me, balances rewarding virtuosity with emotional depth inspired by the composer’s love for folk music.
This particular love resonates with me, considering that my mother is a former professional folk dancer.
You’ve played with some of the world’s best orchestras. What excites you most about performing with the Tutan Festival Orchestra?
Nancy: My performances with the Tutan Festival Orchestra mark my first time bringing music to Malaysia.
The humanistic mission of the institution is commendable and inspiring — it recognises that music is for all and dispels the elitism of “classical music”.
I’m really looking forward to not only connecting with the musicians of the orchestra and the local community, but also learning more about the cultural and social practices of Kuala Lumpur.
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