Ondo! A Handpan Concert Fusing Classical & Modern Art

PRNEWS/GIG Team

2 years ago

Ondo! A Handpan Concert Fusing Classical & Modern Art

The handpan is a unique instrument that blends percussion and melody, creating soft, long-lasting, and ethereal sounds that convey emotions and transport listeners to their own natural spaces. HANDS Percussion and Ondo Handpan Studio collaborate to overturn preconceived notions of the handpan and create a concert fusing classical and modern art, exploring space and time from mountain tops to ocean depths.

Ondo! runs for three days from April 14th to 16th for four performances at the Nero Event Space in PJPAC. Phang Jian Hao together with HANDS Percussion members, cellist Chong Eugene, ruan and flute player HowZ, as well as trumpeter Isaac Marvin, will showcase cross-genre music collaborations and explore limitless musical possibilities.

Ripple – The deep, gentle and calming influence of the Handpan | by Jian Hao & Hands Percussion

In addition to the concert, the musicians hope to bring handpan music to the community by inviting supporting partner organisations and volunteers to join them.

Synopsis

Ondo means temperature in Japanese and the word conjures the fire or heat that is used to shape and stabilise the sounds of the handpan.

In heating things up, Ondo! sparks excitement of showcasing a new interpretation of reverberations of the handpan with a variety of jazzy, classical, folk and popular songs. The cello, flute, ruan, trumpet and drums add layers of texture to the rearranged and new compositions.

Artistic Director: Bernard Goh S.T.M.
Music Director: Chong Eugene (Cello)
Featured Artistes: Phang Jian Hao
Howz (Ruan & Flute)
Isaac Marvin (Trumpet)

About HANDS Percussion

HANDS Percussion (HANDS) is one of the first fully professional, self-funded, percussion groups in Malaysia. A household name, HANDS has been in the performing arts scene for 22 years.

Starting out with the traditional ‘24 Festive Drums’ as the focus of their shows, the group’s repertoire now is a clear testament to their drive and artistry. The gamelan, djembe, kompang, gendang, timpani, marimba, dance, stylised movement and many more are elements often seen in their productions which often include collaboration with local and international artists.

HANDS has gained a great reputation as trendsetters in the creative world with over 30 productions, including a performance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland (23 January 2015 at Malaysia Night) as well as at international art festivals around the world in France, Belgium, Greece, Bali, China, Taiwan and more.

HANDS has four (4) full-time performers, twenty-one (21) part-time performers and five (5) trainee performers. The performers are divided into two (2) performing groups – the core members, HANDS 1; and HANDS 2 which was formed in 2005. In 2007 a HANDS Gamelan Group was introduced when a custom-made gamelan set was acquired from Bali.