Spectrum: Getaran Alam-Mohar Mohram
When: Sept 8, 2018, at 8pm
Where: Theatre, DPAC, H-01, DPAC, Empire Damansara, Jalan PJU 8/8, Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya
Tickets at RM55. Visit http://www.dpac.com.my , email damansara.dpac@gmail.com or call 03-40650001/0002
FLAUTIST Mohar, or Muhardiman Ismail, is going solo after 20-over years with percussionist Ramli Hamid (Ramli Rebana) as Mohram.
“It’s time,” says Mohar, 52, about his upcoming gig at Damansara Performing Arts Centre on Sept 8.
Mohar is renowned for his seruling expertise as part of the Malay traditional music duo, Mohram.
Their music is brilliantly composed with additional contemporary musical instruments, creating a gentle Nusantara sound.
As Mohram, albums have made good sales in the region.
“I want to perform more pop music, and not just traditional ones. I will also be singing for the show. Songs like Diwajahmu Kulihat Bulan (a keroncong piece created by Mochtar Embut in 1960, and made famous by Heey Koes Endang), and Ayah by Rinto Harahap (a popular 1950s song).
The one-night only event will see Mohar performing with secessionists including a keyboardist, percussionist, and 2 acoustic guitarists.
“Some of the band members are younger than me, with long hair, while others are of my age. But they are all professionals.
“The band and I have been performing together for a while. We will some Leo Rogas (a panflautist from Ecuador), jazz like Masquerade… the music will be mellow and soothing, but modern,” he says.
Mohar says his music is therapeutic. “One can relax to it. The music will ease any stress.”
He has one mini album of such music, including songs inspired by sounds of nature.
“I made natural sounds like poultry sounds, water rhythms, windshields as foundations for the music.”
Mohar is currently busking at various places including Nur Anggerik/Carlos USJ 2, Subang Jaya.
Mohar’s show is part of DPAC’s “Spectrum” showcase which sees well-known local musicians offering different styles of music, allowing audiences to enjoy the authentic sound of every instruments across four consecutive nights, starting Sept. 6.
The artistes include Julian Chan Jazz Orchestra, featuring Michael Veerapen and Junji Delfino (Sept 6), Yuan Leow Yunn (Sept 7) who will sing Malaysian folk, Chinese and Western songs with the gamelan, zongruan, guqin and erhu, and piano as well as the cello, and Sara Heng on the guzheng, a traditional plucked musical instrument (Sept 9).