Front Row

As part of the station’s tribute to Sudirman, Front Row invites two who were closely knitted to the late music star. We reminisce with them and unearth anecdotes that underscore the singer’s popularity and the kinds of fans he cultivated. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The annual dance faculty outing. The dance lecturer and choreographer share upcoming events in ASWARA’s dance calendar. As an institution of higher learning and a dance academy, scholarship feeds into performance, and the lecturer and choreographer tell how both arms coalesce. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this exhibition about landscape as expressed by artists from Malaysia and Japan, The curator explains how the diversity of artistic backgrounds—ranging from video and installation to performance and research—promises to lead visitors down a rabbit hole of approaches to the subject matter.  Our guests reveal the correlation between artistic background, artist and the manifestati...

We know what physical theatre is. We know what storytelling is. But what becomes of ‘physical storytelling’? A fancy new name for something traditional or is it indeed innovative performance? Benji Reid tells about the synergy of body, music and story to create a visceral narrative and the need for this kind of performance on stages. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The born-in-Nigeria, lived in Papua New Guinea as a youth but now hangs his hat in many places took to Malaysia some ten years ago and continues to visit and revisit the country. He tells about how his love for the country has spawned this project capturing the everyday sights, sounds, heat and humidity. He tells how to capture visually heat which is felt on the skin. Last year, Arp Raph published...

A solo exhibition by Wong Hoy Cheong, looking over four decades of paper-based work that he has created. These studies were fundamental to the artist's work process, on which he was able to build an interdisciplinary practice — which spans performance art, installation and video documentary; later photography and film. The curator, Dr Simon Soon, situates the artist in our local art landscap...

An exhibition of some 70 works by the artist depicting her various relationships with her family, friends and things spiritual. The artist and the curators share her history and the heart of her art, and how form and content marry to express her artistic vision. Hear the Head Curator of Bank Negara Museum and Art Gallery, and the consultant curator throw specific light on a couple of Abbas’s...

Sabera Shaik, a veteran English-language stage actor, is reprising her role as Puteri Saadong. Before she departs for India to perform this work based on local folklore but directed by Tage Larsen of famed Odin Teatret in Holstebro, Denmark, she drops by to share what new elements she has added to this updated version which will incorporate specially woven songket. She tells if Puteri Saadong is a...

An exhibition at the Islamic Museum gives occasion to view more photographs taken by the royal photographer who took up the hobby with professional interests and equipment. Many of the exhibits are original prints. Raja Ihsan tells about his grandfather’s interests and how he saw the world through the camera’s lens. Link to: http://www.bfm.my/podcast.html?qseaid=HRH%20Sultan%20Ismail&a...

A few weeks ago, the theatre practitioner, academic and voice-and-speech trainer ran a voice masterclass. She points out the benefits of voice-training and shares with us the different approaches to it, underscoring what is required by the actor’s voice in playing Shakespeare. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the weekend, Soon Heng observed how Jim O’Connor facilitated a two-day directing workshop. In-between sessions O’Connor explained choices he makes in casting, and elements to ensure clear communication with the audience. He underscored the director’s responsibilities to the audience and pointed out what members of the audience can do if they want to get as much as possible f...

The ‘post-rock’ band from Japan has found such favorable listening ears in Malaysia that it made a fifth visit. And its third time on BFM. Taka tells about the niche MONO’s music plays and reveals that in composing music, his music saves him. Samples of MONO’s music weaves into this show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The transplant surgeon and former Professor of Surgery at Cambridge tells us about what his garden offers to his canvas. Taking both inspiration and content from his garden he captures what he sees and then with his artful hand interprets the view into a vision. The man of science and medicine, tells stories that are both amusing and informative about the relationship between the artist, the work...

The Professor Emeritus is in Malaysia for a stint and pays a visit to BFM to discuss with a couple of local theatre practitioners about Shakespeare and performing the Bard’s works. Most immediate on the table is the issue of adapting Shakespeare for non-native English speakers and non-English cultures, and when does Shakespeare cease to be Shakespeare? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

This OUR ArtProjects’ inaugural exhibition ‘Great Leap Forward’ focuses on the late Nirmala Dutt, one of Malaysia’s pioneer contemporary artists. The curator and the post-graduate student situate the artist’s works in the context of a social commentator pushing new boundaries.  Simon and Melvin tell that the exhibition aims to inspire us as viewers to think criti...

A musical-theatre training and education centre is restaging ‘Avenue Q’.  Two performers and the voice coach not only provides some singing on-air but discuss the adaptations to this American musical to make it more relevant to and relatable for a Malaysian audience. Beyond that how the company is staging this musical in a rather tight space. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

This nascent musical organization--the Philharmonic Winds of Malaysia--is staging its second show since its recent stepping out and Front Row has invited its representatives to share more about the birth and anticipated growth.  They also explain why musicians need to perform and to be part of a larger group of other musicians.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second (and larger) half of the 2016-2017 season kicks off the new year in a big way. In staging Mozart’s  ‘The Magic Flute’, the programmers have brought in a large cast which includes both local and  international singers, an ensemble chorus and, of course, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. The Stage Director and lead tenor, Steve Davislim; and Chi Hoe Mak sha...

So rarely is this instrument featured; and the corresponding corollary: so rare to feature a harpist.  We learn from the Moscow-trained musician a brief history, evolution, the appeal and the availability of music written specifically for this ‘feminine-looking’ musical instrument. She tells the story--and I think there is a  moral here for all young people learning to play a...

The performance-trainer (who himself trained under Keith Johnstone) and mask maker explains that a well-made mask has a life of its own, shaping a performer’s energy and prompting the performer what to do. With skill and technique, the performer then gives shape and clarity to this energy. Because of this relationship, mask making in a facilitated workshop allows for discovery and experiment...

The orchestra is ushering in its season with a big bang.  The musician, Tchaikovsky’s most famous works will be showcased, among these include the 1812 Overture which was written in 1880 to commemorate Russia’s defense of its motherland against Napoleon’s invading Grande Armée. A time to find out what the orchestra will use for cannons to create the the wartime atmosp...

The organizer and the former winner talk jazz and about the growing popularity of this genre of music which is finding more venues in the Klang Valley. This year’s festival and competition looks to bring in some new programmes and clinics geared towards a younger audience.  Non-jazz pianists, like Az Samad, a guitarist will be involved in this festival. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

For the holiday season, our producers have rounded up folks we have interviewed on Front Row and who make music, to sing and play on the show. Christmas cheer from the Bigger Picture with a lot of help from the singers and musicians, and our BFM sound engineers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The curators share about a group exhibition by artists--some from Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia among others--on the topic of migrant labour. They provide narratives not necessarily explored in mainstream media. Both private and public implications of this labour force which crosses borders are explored. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The director, who is also an award-winning actor, a dramaturg and a writer, tells about Shakespeare and the company of players she is involved with in Melbourne. She shares about her interest in Katherine and the ‘problem’ in the closing scene of the play and then segues into a discussion on ‘Tales of a City by the Sea’ which is written by Australian, Samah Sabawi.  Th...