In some ways, it is.
Today is the first time in over one year that the percussionist and her fellow musicians will play in front of a live audience, now that the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas has thrown open its doors once again to the public.
Su Yin and the rest of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), will be performing in the “Strauss: A New World” concert at 3pm.
For musicians like Su Yin, the reopening of the hall for live concerts has been music to their ears.
Speaking to FMT, she said that although they have been performing “virtually” from their homes, it just wasn’t the same.
“Music has always been a group experience. It just does not feel right communicating with a machine. We all felt so close, yet so far apart.
“I have not played with anyone next to me for so long, so am I going to have to relearn how to play ensemble music again?”
Another MPO musician, Tan Ka Ming said he simply could not wait to get back on stage.
“All the musicians are excited to perform for a live audience again,” said the violinist.
“We love interacting with the audience through music and nothing is more satisfying than the audience enjoying our performance and appreciating what we do.”
Both Su Yin and Ka Ming said it was tough at first adjusting to the lockdown, not knowing when they would be able to play together again.
Keeping themselves busy and stimulated became their goal.
Su Yin found opportunities to connect with fellow musicians around the world through online music symposiums or performing music together through video calls.
Ka Ming meanwhile recorded some chamber music or solo pieces. His proudest moment was when the orchestra got together online to perform an arrangement of ‘Tanah Pusaka’ to honour the country’s frontliners and to lift the spirits of fellow Malaysians.
Now as the concert hall prepares to open its doors again subject to strict Covid-19 SOPs, a sense of déjà vu has set in for Su Yin and Ka Ming.
As the countdown to showtime continues, Ka Ming hopes that concert-goers will stay safe while enjoying their long-awaited visit to the concert hall.
“Hopefully with SOPs in place on stage and throughout DFP, people will feel safe and secure enough to attend concerts again.”
“Strauss: A New World” will be performed at 3pm on April 17. The concert will be conducted by Naohisa Furusawa and hosted by local television host Razif Hashim.