World-famous pianist to perform in KK
KOTA KINABALU: A renowned pianist, Claudia Yang, plans to conduct a symphony orchestra based on the “Dream of the Red Chamber” here in July, next year.
Yang, who is here to meet with the Environment, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Christina Liew told press members that it would be the first time she would be performing in Sabah.
“It is a privilege for me to be in Kota Kinabalu,” she said.
She added that as a pianist she felt the need to bring people together with her music and next year, there would be a big celebration to mark the 45th diplomatic relationship between Malaysia and China.
Yang said that she would be performing in Kuala Lumpur with the Guangxi province symphony orchestra, an ensemble of about 80 performers before coming to Kota Kinabalu in July.
She said the actual date and venue for the performance would be finalised later.
“Our mission is to present Chinese music through western classical symphony orchestra and to feature Dream of the Red Chamber,” she said.
The ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’ is one of China’s great classical novels and was written sometime in the 18th century.
When asked for her reason for selecting Kota Kinabalu for her performance, Yang explained that there were several reasons for her coming here.
“Sabah is the tourism destination of the world...it is the most favourite place of destination among the Chinese people,” she said.
She added that she hoped to bring cooperation in tourism, economy and education when she comes here.
“I will not simply perform but will act like a bridge to build network among the people... anyway, people’s hearts are always touched by music,” she further said.
Yang also said that her mission was also to promote the Silk Road International Cultural centre which had five large concert halls, about 1,000 square meters which would be launched in October next year.
She said that she would like to invite Sabah to organise its cultural festivities there.
“We also welcome artists from Sabah to come and perform there,” she said.
Christina welcomed the proposal and said that Chinese tourists played an integral part in Sabah’s tourism sector.
They comprised 43 percent of the total tourists coming to Sabah, she said.