A tribute to the Beatles
THE Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) paid tribute to The Beatles once again last weekend after its first tribute concert back in March 2012.
Staged at Dewan Philharmonic Petronas (DFP) at KLCC, the two-night performance was conducted by Carl Davis.
The MPO not only brought back the music of the swinging 60s but its musicians were also dressed the part in colourful costumes with some even with wigs for the performance.
It was the first time I’d personally seen such a “relaxed” dress code on stage at DFP. They were dressed much more casually than the audience!
However, Davis stole the show in his all-chilli red suit complete with a pair of red Nike. The conductor was really enjoying himself.
The night kicked off with The Beatles’ 1963 single, She Loves You. And after a swift introductory note by Davis, the orchestra moved on to a medley of Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane. The trumpet solo in Penny Lane was absolutely delightful.
It was soon followed by the Fab Four’s first-ever single in 1962, Love Me Do, and their 1966’s single, Good Day Sunshine.
After a string of upbeat tunes, Davis led the orchestra to the quieter Yesterday, undeniably one of The Beatles’ most-recognisable tunes from their 1965 album,Help!
The song started with a cello solo which was then joined by the violins and double bass.
The MPO later took on Norwegian Wood (from the 1965 album, Rubber Soul, which was turned into a funky jazz waltz) as well as Across the Universe, The Long and Winding Road and finally ending the first session with a medley of A Hard Day’s Night and Help.
In the Paul McCartney’s song, The Long and Winding Road, Davis incorporated a trumpet solo as he remembered The Beatles’ legend telling him that his father had played that instrument when Davis worked with McCartney on his first major foray into classical music in his 1991 album, Liverpool Orotorio.
After a 20-minute interval, Davis was back on stage in yet another eye-catching suit and promptly led the orchestra into a medley that included Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and With a Little Help From My Friends, before moving on to Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.
The MPO also took on two of George Harrison’s best- known compositions – Here Comes the Sun and Something from The Beatles’ last studio album, the 1969 Abbey Road.
We also had a fun ride with the MPO’s rendition of Yellow Submarine before Davis switched pace to a mellower mood with Blackbird, complete with a very apt flute solo.
Then, it was back to the mid-60s – the period when the band went to study under a spiritual guru in India – with The Fool on the Hill and Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.
The concert ended with another string of Beatles’ hits such as A Day in the Life, Let It Be and All You Need is Love.
The guitar solo in Let It Be was absolutely fantastic and perfectly executed.
It was also a surprise to all that Davis came back twice for an encore of Can’t Buy Me Love and Twist and Shout.
It was overall a nostalgic and fun night for the audience with the MPO and Davis, who gave out short introductions and facts on most of the songs throughout the night.