THE Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) has decided to re-evaluate its business model as it finds ways to sustain itself in the long term.

In a statement today, the MPO said the persistent and unprecedented challenging market condition brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic has given them no choice but to revisit their strategy.

The statement also said that the situation was not unique to MPO alone as other major orchestras around the globe have been affected by the pandemic.

“We will continue to explore a strategic way forward to lay the foundation for long-term sustainability,” it said.

A report yesterday said that the MPO told its musicians that their contracts would not be renewed beyond the end of the year.

“A few may receive new contracts in an entertainment band, but the Philharmonic as such is finished and the musicians will be unemployed after Christmas.”

Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in Kuala Lumpur is home to the MPO.

The patron of the MPO is Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamid Ali, wife of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The orchestra gave its inaugural performance at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas on August 17, 1998.

A number of internationally acclaimed musicians, such as Lorin Maazel, Sir Neville Marriner, Yehudi Menuhin, Joshua Bell, Harry Connick Jr, José Carreras and many more have performed at with MPO.

On April 17, the MPO resumed its live shows for the first time in over a year due to Covid-19 pandemic, but the run was cut short due to the announcement of the implementation of the movement-control order 3.0 (MCO 3.0) in May.

Its last performance was conducted by the orchestra’s Tokyo-born principal conductor Naohisa Furusawa.

Last week, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the full lockdown, which started on June 1, would continue until the threshold value of new daily Covid-19 cases drops to less than 4,000. – July 2, 2021.