Introduction to Malaysian Composers
Composers Directory
Services for Composers
About Malaysian Composers
Malaysian contemporary music as a phenomenon really started
to gain visibility and momentum within Malaysia from 2002 onwards,
when Malaysian's fully professional symphony orchestra first
programmed several works by Malaysian composers for example
Sunetra Fernando's Wayang (2002) and Tazul Izan Tajuddin's Sebuah
Tenunan III (2003).
Until then, composers had worked in their own private circles
at home or abroad, and the hazy history of pre-millenium Malaysian
new music repeatedly reveals the names of Valerie Ross and Razak
Abdul Aziz, amongst others, but little else. For a brief history
on Malaysian contemporary music see the Malaysian
contemporary music entry in Wikipedia
The local premieres of new works by Malaysian composers has
led to increasing awareness and excitement within the local
arts community. This website hopes to provide at least a starting
point of contact for Malaysian composers and Malaysian new music.
What IS Contemporary Music?
Good question. You will not find the answer here nor elsewhere
as not only have composers, performers and musicologists been
grappling with the definition of music post 20th Century, but
music itself has been evolving rapidly into a global phenomena.
Perhaps 21st Century Music is a practical term to use in place
of what used to be "contemporary" or "avant garde"
or "experimental" or "new" or "art"
music etc etc.
For the purposes of this website we are trying to promote the
works of composers who have embarked on the so-called "western"
tradition, but without necessarily limiting ourselves to that.
For even the notion of "western" is now being challenged
(see interview with Stephanie Griffin in Off The Edge Dec 07).
The reasons for this focus is simply a practical one - of all
the art forms in Malaysia and indeed Asia, it is this particular
field that is most ignored and in need of support.
Who are the Malaysian Composers?
Even better question. We are building a directory
of composers from scratch, so if you know a composer who
deserves to be listed or if you yourself are a composer who
feels you belong in the list, send your information to info@malaysiancomposers.com
