- Posted on: October 29, 2018
From Thursday to Sunday, classical music is going to be the nucleus of Phnom Penh’s cultural scene as the Art Plus Foundation invites to the 15th edition of the International Music Festival. It introduces works by immigrant composers from 19th century onwards in an advanced perspective of their works. There are four concerts between 1 and 4 November, each day one.
On Thursday, the festival starts with compositions of Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Samuel Barber and Darius Milhaud at Hotel Le Royal’s grand ballroom. The pieces are performed by Ikeda Bonsamnag – clarinet, Anton Isselhardt – flute, and Etienne Chennevier – piano. The venue then switches to Meta House where, on Friday, Pongpat Pongpradit plays four compositions with his guitar followed by Peter Seivewright who performs as a soloist on the piano on Saturday. On its final day, the festival returns to Hotel Le Royal for a tribute to Paul Hindemith including the artists Ikeda Bonsamnang – clarinet, Chhan Vitharo & Anton lsselhardt – both flute as well as Misato Nakaishi & Issei Sakano – both piano. Every day, the festival starts at 7 pm.
According to festival director Anton Isselhardt, the pieces of music performed through the festival are “an invaluable contribution to today’s musical world. Individuals, families and ethnic communities from diverse backgrounds, social milieus and geo-graphical territories have been affected by migration. It may take place for economic or social reasons but also as a result of suffering and forced-escape from political, ethnic or religious persecution. Many of their works are a result of blending and enriching of cultures, the old with the new. Our future is an increasingly differentiated plurality in arts, and this festival should be a small contribution to it.”
For further information about tickets, artists and concerts, please visit http://musicfestival-phnompenh.org/.