Introduction

   The development of traditional music has led to the formation of Malaysian Traditional Orchestra (OTM). OTM bears the identity of the multiracial society of the country, both culturally and musically as its core, while maintaining the functionality and identity of indigenous music and heritage. The selection of genres and musical composition unifi es the different traditional music qualities into a formation rich in aesthetics and authentics. 

   The establishment of OTM is in line with the Ministry of Information Communication and Culture (KPKK) to unite all Malaysians of different races through the art of music. The establishment of OTM is an ongoing effort by KPKK through Istana Budaya, in restructuring the traditional musicians of various racial and ethnic backgrounds and also to raise the diversifi ed Malaysian traditional musical instruments to international and professional standard, on par with symphony orchestras in the west. This effort supports the 1Malaysia Concept which was conceived by Prime Minister of Malaysia, The Most Honourable Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, which is to foster racial harmony through various activities. OTM also collaborates with notable musicians from the Professional Cultural Center (PCC) and the Temple of Fine Arts (TOFA). This collaboration expresses the spirit of unity and fellowship among the different races. 

   OTM is seen as a catalyst for Malaysian music revolution of the 21st century. In its core are the Malay, Chinese, Indian, Orang Asli, Sabah and Sarawak indigenous and ethnic music. The combination of these different types of music serve as a platform for a new musical concept for the unifi ed Malaysians in the future. 

   OTM was officially launched by YB Dato’ Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim, Minister of Information Communication and Culture (KPKK) on February 6, 2010 at Istana Budaya’s Panggung Sari.

OTM’s Vision
•    To produce artistic identity on the unique Malaysian music.
•    To promote racial harmony among the multi cultural Malaysians through music.
•    To enhance unity among Malaysia’s multiracial society
•    To encourage communities to better appreciate the local traditional arts.
•    To improve KPKK’s image as a national cultural centre that is always aware of current trends.
•    To uphold the country’s artistic heritage, locally as well as internationally.

 

Achievements

   OTM has held several performances in and outside of the country of which, Titian Budaya Malaysia Singapore Programme at the Esplanade of Singapore (May 2008), the 50th Anniversary of the National Bank in conjunction with the Conference of Governors of the World Bank (January 2009), Chinese New Year Open House (7 February 2009), the ‘Simfoni Rakyat Malaysia’ Concert (2007) and ‘Konsert 100’ (2004). Six of the OTM musicians are also members of the ASEANKOREA Traditional Orchestra (AKTO) cooperative orchestra which performed in Korea for the fi rst time in May 2009. OTM’s conductor, Mohd Yazid Zakaria was also one of the composers and conductors involved in the AKTO.

  OTM Musicians

   Currently OTM comprises of 60 members but are expandable up to 86 musicians. OTM members are musicians who posseses the skills, expertise and experience in their fi eld of music. The selection of musicians are done through thorough and continuous auditions. The OTM’s traditional musical instruments can be classifi ed in several categories:- 

Plugged Strings • Yang Qin • Mandolin • Sape • Zhong Ruan • Sitar • Pipa • Gambus	Bowed String • Rebab OTM • Zhong Hu • Erhu • Cello • Gaohu • Double Bass	Percussion • Malay Percussion • Kompang/Marwas • Latin Percussion • Tabla
Gamelan • Bonang • Gambang • Saron Pekin • Demung • Saron Barong • Greteh • Gong Gamelan	Woodwinds • Seruling Bambu • Dizi • Bansuri • Souna • Serunai/Bansi/Saluang/Pupuik	Rhythm Section • Keyboard • Drum OTM • Electric Bass • Acoustic Guitar

    The combination of these traditional instruments with their elasticity and fl exibility, can be added or expanded based on the needs of OTM. Other traditional musical instruments are still being tested for their suitability. Although currently still using some Western instruments, in the future, these musical instruments will be fully replaced by traditional Malaysian instruments.

Technical Specification 1

Technical Specification 2
Technical Specification 3

马来西亚民族乐团

Orkestra Tradisional Malaysia (OTM)

 

发扬传统音乐的是成立马来西亚民族乐团（OTM）主要理念。

OTM以综合多彩的表演形式，让这个多元种族国度世代流传的本土音乐文化精华展现其特殊的魅力。

结合多样民间音乐风格的作品，无论是以通俗或艺术性演绎方式，其绚丽多变的艺术效果都能令人绕梁不已。

OTM是由国家新闻、通讯及文化部通过文化宫殿（国家大剧院），集合全国各族优秀的音乐家，经过多年持续的努力而成立，让各代表性的民族乐器以国际化，专业化和交响化的面貌呈现。这个乐团的多元特性，正好符合由我国首相拿督斯里纳吉设想的“一个马来西亚”概念；通过各种活动，促进种族和谐。

目前，除了文化宫殿团队外，OTM还与国内两大著名的民乐团体：专艺民族乐团（马来西亚华人文化协会附属团体）和艺术圣殿（印度歌舞团TOFA）合作，一起努力，进步和壮大，体现了不同种族之间的团结和友谊精神。目前乐员人数可从固定的60人根据需要扩展至86人。

OTM以马来族，华族，印度族，原住民，沙巴和沙捞越土著（包括新型乐器：文琴）等民族音乐为核心，被视为21世纪马来西亚音乐革命的里程碑。通过这些不同类型的音乐示范平台，希望在未来实现一个统一的马来西亚民族音乐文化。

 演奏的乐器分类为：

拉弦组：热巴甫，文琴，高胡，二胡，中胡，大提琴，倍大提琴。

弹拨组：扬琴，沙泊琴，悉他琴，甘布士，曼陀铃，中阮，琵琶。

木管组：瑟奴铃竹笛，班苏里笛，瑟鲁奈，笛子，唢呐。

加麦兰组：班浪锣，佩金萨龙，威姿萨龙，加麦兰锣，木琴,登扪锣，格雷得锣。

敲击组：马来击乐，拉丁鼓，贡邦鼓，达不拉。

 
OTM的愿景

发挥马来西亚音乐独特的艺术魅力。

通过音乐促进马来西亚多元社会的和谐相处。

展现新闻、通讯及文化部致力塑造当代国家际文化中心的形象。

维护本土及国际的艺术文化遗产。

  

履历

OTM曾在国内外参与的演出计有：

2004年创团音乐会：“百分百汇合”。

2007年“民族交响锐变”音乐会。

2008年5月新加坡海滨文化中心之“马-新文化天桥”专场演出。

2009年2月于国家银行50周年兼世界银行理事会议宴乐。

2009年7月成为“东盟-韩国民族乐团”（AKTO）成员的六位团员，赴韩国作首场演出；而OTM的现任指挥雅兹更是“东盟-韩国民族乐团”的作曲和指挥之一。

2010年2月马来西亚民族乐团成立大典音乐会。

2010年4月国际回教经济论坛欢迎宴乐。