A beautiful evening of classical ensemble from Pastorale Charity Concert, and the animals are not forgotten.

Ref: http://animalcare.my/2012/04/22/are-you-a-classical-music-buff/

I attended Pastorale’s Charity Concert this evening. The principal, Ms Yim Soi Chee, had invited me and AnimalCare is also one of the recipients of their concert proceeds today.

 The programme book is by donation.

It was held in the KL Chinese Assembly Hall. This is a very old hall – simple, modest, nothing pretentious. The crowd was mostly Chinese-speaking, consisting of families – parents, children, grandparents, who have all come to support that one member of the family who is playing in the orchestra.

 As simple as it may be, the moment the concert started (and it started ON TIME, right on the dot – can I say I’m truly impressed!), I knew this was going to be no simple concert. The concert opened with their junior orchestra and here, we have little children playing the string instruments. I was already impressed. The played classical music, started with Vivaldi and ended with the Carpenter’s “Top of the World”.

 The concert is a joint effort between Pastorale Conservatoire of Music and the KL Chinese Assembly Hall, and here, we have the latter’s senior citizen choir. No mikes, folks. Beautiful harmony. As I’ve said, this may be an old hall, but the acoustics are brilliant. Old is gold, really.

  It was classical ensemble, beautifully presented by young people.

As I sat there marveling at and mersmerised by the skills and talent of all these young people, it made me realise music is such a healthy hobby (either as serious study or as a past-time) for our young people. The adage, “Music hath charm to soothe the savage breast” came to mind and I truly salute all these parents who have given their children this gift and inculcated the love of music in them – it would be lifetime of reward, having that gift of music in their soul.

Comparing this to watching another violent movie in the cinema, I’d definitely prefer this…anytime.

Most of them did not require notes at all. The two pianists played totally from memory. There was a  romantic piece from Debussy, beautifully executed by a young lady. Debussy, as I know, is hard to appreciate and fathom and even harder to perform, but the way she played it, I could almost hear the story. Another young boy played The Hungarian Rhapsody to perfection (as far as my untrained ears could tell). According to the programme book, they practised for FIVE months to prepare for this concert.

Intermission was only 10 minutes, and the audience was so disciplined. They all came back before the 10 mins was up and the second half started on the dot. Military precision – I’m impressed.

There was a three-part ensemble which again, was performed to perfection, conducted by Ms Yim herself.

  The finale was the Pirates of the Caribbean and most of them came out with some pirate garb!

The principal, Ms Yim, conducted all the ensembles in the second half.

Notice she is wearing a hook in her right hand as she conducted the Pirates of the Caribbean?

  The stars of the finale and the lady behind it all, Ms Yim Soi Chee.

The audience was very generous and the collection far exceeded expectations.

Thank you, Pastorale Conservatoire of Music and Ms Yim, for your very charitable heart. And of course, a big applause and thank you to all the children and young people who practised so hard for five months to put up an absolutely sterling performance. And to their families, too, for the support.

And as I waited after the concert, someone waited with me…..

  It was a pregnant black cat!

She came and nudged at me and actually went under my long skirt.

Couldn’t take her back….so I could only wish her all the best. She looked well-fed and cared for. Hopefully, she has a home.

It is really so heartening and I am deeply touched that an animal organisation is part of the beneficiaries of this charity concert. The street animals are not forgotten.

Thank you very much, Ms Yim. We are so grateful for the kind donation of RM8000 from your concert!