Music from the heart
> Tengku Irfan Tengku Ahmad Shahrizal continues to stretch his musical talents, from performer to composer and conductor
Each section leader also leads [his/her] section. As a conductor, you make all the sections come together.”
The best advice he ever got on conducting is about the importance of giving people space.
Tengku Irfan says that different conductors have a different approach. Some are insistent that things be done their way, while others are relaxed and let the orchestra do its thing.
Referring to the latter style, he says the orchestra must have confidence in itself for that to happen.
Tengku Irfan adds that intimidating musicians (like in the movie Whiplash), may not be the best way to conduct because it might only make them too scared to perform.
He believes in balance – where the conductor guides the orchestra on things such as intonation but lets the actual musicality come from the orchestra.
“Let [the musicians] play it their own way,” he adds.
But Tengku Irfan admits that as a young conductor, he is under a lot of pressure to live up to others’ expectations, especially when people wonder what it is about him that makes him capable of leading an orchestra.
“The most important thing is to do your best no matter what other people’s expectations are,” he says.
On his composition, What Does It Take to Dance?, Tengku Irfan says: “I wanted it to be something exciting, something fresh and yet intimidating.”
When it comes to his music, has been said to be his own worse critic. To that, Tengku Irfan says: “As you grow older, you tend to become more self critical. It is hard to find ideas that seem fresh and new. You are used to hearing what is around you and it is hard to impress yourself.
“To be honest, I never try to consciously think about it. Writing has always been a struggle for me to do what I truly want.”
When asked if he sees the orchestra ever performing a concert of just his compositions, Tengku Irfan admits he’s unsure of his prospect.
“It is exciting but it will take great energy to sustain such a performance and keep maintaining confidence in an orchestra.”
Other than music, Irfan loves watching sitcoms and cooking shows.
One of his favourite sitcoms is The Big Bang Theory,