#SHOWBIZ: Benett, Zi Yang set to magnetise Beethoven fans with 'Triple Concerto'

Three of Malaysia's most promising classical musicians will join forces for the first time on the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas stage this Saturday. The trio—Australian cellist Benett Tsai, Canadian pianist Tony Yike Yang, and Malaysian violinist Low Zi Yang—will perform Beethoven's renowned Triple Concerto, alongside the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO).

Conducted by Polish maestro Michał Nesterowicz, the two-hour concert begins with Romain Gary's Overture for the Roots of Heaven, a vivid orchestral depiction of a herd of African elephants.

The main event is Beethoven's Triple Concerto, celebrated for its lively interplay between solo passages, intimate duets, and rich trio harmonies, accompanied by a full orchestra. The evening concludes with Ralph Vaughan Williams' tranquil yet powerful Symphony No. 5, originally performed in London in 1943 amidst the turmoil of World War II, with Beethoven himself conducting.

For 22-year-old Low Zi Yang, returning to the DFP stage as a soloist is a dream come true. The violinist made his orchestral debut with the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra at 13 and has since performed at The Esplanade in Singapore. Becoming a musician was always his childhood dream, nurtured by his music-loving family. Low credits his teachers, friends, and early experiences watching the MPO as his greatest inspirations.

He enjoys a diverse range of music, from jazz and mainstream hits to party music, and looks forward to his upcoming residency in Belgium and international competitions.

Tsai, a tennis player turned cellist, grew up in a musical household, with his father as a pianist and uncle as a cellist and conductor. He was mesmerised by videos of Herbert von Karajan conducting Beethoven symphonies and developed a passion for the cello, which he describes as having a wide range of tonal colours, from delicate to powerful.

Outside of music, Tsai is an avid tennis player, art lover, and history enthusiast. He will travel to Germany after Kuala Lumpur to premiere a new cello concerto by Matthew Hindson, and then head to New York for a chamber performance at Carnegie Hall. The concert on Saturday, featuring Beethoven's Triple Concerto, will highlight the chamber spirit of this masterwork, with Tsai hoping the audience will feel a deep connection to the music. Tickets range from RM249 to RM499; for more information, visit www.mpo.com.my.