Allianz welcomes new year with German classical music

KUALA LUMPUR: Allianz Malaysia ushered in the New Year with its first-ever Neujahrskonzert (New Year Concert) 2019 at the iconic Dewan Filharmonik Petronas on Saturday.

The event was a collaboration between Allianz Malaysia, the German Embassy and the Malaysia-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

As it is a common practice to attend classical music concerts ahead of the New Year in Germany, and in keeping with that tradition, the event presented the perfect opportunity to bring a taste of Germany to Malaysia.

Guests were welcomed with a cocktail party where they had a chance to mingle and experience an extraordinary #Through German Eyes art exhibition by Adrian Johann Dan Bedoy. The art exhibition featured modern architecture interpretations in the digital era.

“We as a company firmly believe that life is more than financials, facts and figures. We believe that culture: art, literature or music — play an equally important role to inspire us as humans. We therefore collaborate across the globe with world-class partners to bring these values to society,” said Allianz Life Insurance Malaysia chief executive officer Joseph Gross.

One of the world’s leading insurers, German-based Allianz, which is headquartered in Munich, has been a great supporter of the arts and culture on the global stage, partnering with the Museum of Modern Art and world-renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang.

The event was attended by nearly 800 guests, including Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, who is the patron of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as dignitaries from both countries.

The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, led by resident conductor Gerard Salonga, served up an interesting programme which celebrated German classical music.