To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Malaysia-Japan bilateral relations, the Min-On Concert Association and the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (ASWARA) jointly organised a series of concerts titled Legacy: Fascinating Cultural Exchange Concert of Traditional Music and Dance between Japan and Malaysia. Three Legacy concerts were held on October 17, 18 and 19 at the Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre; Dewan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTic) and ASWARA’s Experimental Theatre respectively, all in the city centre.
Legacy is the fruit of the collaboration between artists from Malaysia and Japan striving to strengthen friendship between two countries and their citizens. This is also Min-On’s first performance in Malaysia since 1988.
Nine artists from Min-On worked hand-in-hand with eight ASWARA artists to present traditional and contemporary tunes. The Min-On musicians consisted of artists performing traditional Japanese art forms and instruments such as the shamisen, koto, wadaiko, shakuhachi and traditional dance; and artists performing on the piano, violin and viola. ASWARA artists also perform a combination of modern and traditional Malay instruments, and also include one dancer.
The concerts showcased a dazzling harmony of musicians working together for the sake of expanding heart-to-heart interactions and promoting human harmony. The artists showed that culture is a force that can transcend all barriers and reach out to bring people of various cultures and backgrounds together.
Whether playing traditional tunes or modern pieces, the artists performed as one, wowing the audience time after time with their dedication and passion. Favourites such as P. Ramlee’s Getaran Jiwa and Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean were given wonderful new arrangements that surprised and delighted the audience.
Legacy in Malaysia was the fourth stop of the Min-On Global Music Network series of concerts after performances in South Korea (2014), Russia (2016) and Singapore (2016). The Min-On Concert Association was founded by Daisaku Ikeda to promote international cultural exchange and peace by introducing music and performing arts from every country around the world. ASWARA aims to become an institutional centre for education and training for art, culture, and national heritage that is recognised by the national, regional and international levels.
