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Hmmm... choices, choices! Why not go for both?
The orchestra I'm referring to is the KL Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) Sinfonietta. I was at their inaugural concert last year themed "Candlelight Christmas". For a young orchestra, I think they performed pretty well. Since the theme was Christmas, they played mostly carols and favourites from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. The finale was the powerful "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah", performed with the 30-member guest youth choir "La Voce". They received a well deserved standing ovation at the end. I'm sure they would have gotten even better since then and I'm looking forward to next month's concert. This time around, they'll be playing music from blockbuster musicals and movie themes.
Click the pic below or go here for more info.
Then there's something a little different from the Gardner & Wife Theatre. More for the kids... or the kids at heart :-). Interested? Click the picture for details.
The Akio Sasaki Jazz Organ Trio was another great concert organised by Roland. It was a memorable night for jazz organ fans (and of course, fans of Sasaki san). Most of us who play the organ would have, at some point in time, played Mr. Sasaki's jazz arrangements. He has published quite a few books of his numerous arrangements of popular jazz compositions.
So, we finally got to see and listen to the man himself. Still in his element though in his late 50's, he thrilled us with his ad libs and improvisational style. 
Teaming up with Mr. Sasaki was jazz guitarist Tatsushi Shibata and drummer Hisanori Tsunekawa. Mr. Tatsushi was not only adept at playing the guitar, he took the limelight on two songs playing the harmonica. Not to be left out, Mr. Hisanori showed us his skill by performing a couple of solos on the TD-20K Roland digital drum kit.
The concert ended with "Take the 'A' Train" as the encore. Mr. Sasaki used the jazz scat voice (real human voices) to play this piece. The voices are so amazingly real and the organ intelligently "scat sings" the correct syllables according to the touch (pressure on the keys). Earlier, he also used it on "Satin Doll". Listen to a sample of the jazz scat voice here.
Now, if you're hoping to watch videos of the concert, I'll have to disappoint you because I did not shoot any. This time, I just wanted to enjoy the concert. I did not want to keep staring at the camera LCD screen all the time. And it ain't easy trying to keep the camera steady as your arms start to tire after 15mins or so.Thanks to Roland again for all the great concerts so far. They've promised more goodies next year. One of them would be in the person of Hector Olivera. He is considered one of the world's greatest organists. Who wouldn't be, if you are able to play "Flight of the Bumblebee" with your feet! It would be a real coup if Roland is able to bring him to this part of the world.
