Programmes
Festival Opening Concert concert 1: “Traditions and Innovation”
Time: 7:30PM
A grand opening celebration uniting outstanding artists from East and West. Sape virtuoso Salomon Gau brings the evocative sounds of Borneo’s Kenyah tradition, while Stepp Wind Ensemble from Inner Mongolia performs vibrant works inspired by the vast spirit of the grasslands and diverse ethnic traditions. Belgian pianist Jan Michiels presents Ligeti’s brilliant piano études and joins Semara Ratih Gamelan for an exploration of Balinese music, dance, and shadow play. Resident ensemble Studio C showcases contemporary works shaped by both Eastern heritage and Western modernism — opening the SoundBridge Festival with brilliance and artistic energy.
Venue: SJK(C) Chong Hwa 2 Auditorium
Day 2 (22nd Nov 2025, Saturday)
concert 2: “MASTER Series 1” – Miniature portrait concert of Prof. Dr. Ramon Santos (Philippines)
10:30 AM
This concert showcases the composition works of Philippine National Artist Professor Emeritus Dr. Ramon P. Santos, to be performed by the festival Ensemble Studio C and guest artists.
Venue: Kluang Days Café & Space
concert 3: “MASTER Series 2” – Miniature portrait concert of Prof. Gao Wei Jie (China)
11:30 AM
Renowned Chinese composer and educator Prof. Gao Wei Jie’s compositions will be performed by Ensemble Studio C and guest artists, providing insights into his creative process.
Venue: Kluang Days Café & Space
concert 4: “Malaysian Voices X” – Improvisation Music vs. Notated Music
2:30 PM
This concert features the Burn Duo musicians Yong Yandsen (Sax), and Siew-Wai Kok (Voice), alongside Ensemble Studio C. The performance juxtaposes improvisational works with compositions by Malaysian composers.
Venue: Kluang Days Café & Space
concert 5: “SoundBridge VII” – Asian Young Composers Showcase
4:30 PM
The “SoundBridge” concert plays the role of a bridge, and its main purpose is to provide young composers with cross-domain collaboration and exchanges with various artists. This year’s music festival ensemble and artist guests will perform works by young Asian composers.
Venue: Kluang Days Café & Space
concert 6: “Connecting Cities VI”
7:30 PM
The festival ensemble will play composers from different cities to present their multiculturalism and combine contemporary music works with eastern and western characteristics.
Venue: Kluang Days Café & Space
Day 3 (23rd Nov 2025, Sunday)
concert 7: “South Wind” – Woodwind Quintet Recital by Pan Pacific Ensemble (USA)
11:00 AM
The Pan Pacific Ensemble continues its mission to build cultural bridges through music from Southeast Asia.
Venue: Kluang Days Café & Space
concert 8: “From Bach to Asian Composers – Encounters Across Time and Space” – Piano recital by Xie Sisters Piano Duo (China/Germany)
1:00 PM
Renowned Xie Sisters Piano Duo will perform masterpieces by J.S. Bach, C.P.E. Bach, and works by various Asian composers.
Venue: Kluang Days Café & Space
concert 9: Piano recital by Jan Michiels (Belgium) – “Hungary Masters Meet Asian Composers”
3:00 PM
Prof. Jan Michiels, currently a professor at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and guest professor at the University of the Arts Berlin, will perform masterpieces by Hungarian composers alongside works by living Asian composers.
Venue: Kluang Country Club
concert 10: “Voices from Heaven” by soprano Lini Gong and pianist Ya-ou Xie (China/Germany)
5:00 PM
A one-of-a-kind composition specially created for the exceptional soprano Lini Gong and renowned pianist Ya-ou Xie, blending their unique artistry in a truly original and intimate musical collaboration.
Venue: Kluang Country Club
concert 11: “Dream for Future”
7:00 PM
The Pan Pacific Ensemble, bassoonist Christoph Wichert, composers Scott Wilson, Pradit Saengkrai, and students of PGVIM (Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music, Thailand) will present an innovative new composition showcase.
Venue: Kluang Country Club
concert 12: “Traditions and Beyond”
8:00 PM
A vibrant farewell celebration! Salomon Gau brings the soulful sounds of Borneo’s Kenyah tradition, while Stepp Wind Ensemble from Inner Mongolia evokes the vast beauty of the grasslands. Belgian pianist Jan Michiels performs Ligeti’s piano masterpieces, and Semara Ratih Gamelan fills the stage with the radiant colors of Bali. The evening culminates in the world premiere of The Rite of Spring for piano four hands, two percussionists, and shadow play, performed by Ya-Ou Xie and Ya-Shuang Xie, merging dance, Kecak, and visual art into a dazzling finale that bridges tradition and modernity.
Venue: Kluang Country Club