Amabile V. Galea, Balzan
Conductor's 'overactivity' at the Manoel concert
Although since my early youth, music - along with chess - has been one of my ardent passions, I never could bring myself to pursue rigorous studies: hence my reactions to the opening concert at the Manoel Theatre are purely amateurish, and are solely directed at Mro Brian Schembri's entertaining (!) performance.
Familiar as I am with both Beethoven's Emperor Concerto and Schubert's Ninth Symphony, regrettably I am unable to appreciate fully the highly technical comments on the performance made by Mario Calafato and other correspondents in recent letters. However, I entirely agree with Mr Calafato on the hilariously comic exhibitionism by Mro Schembri. I can only remember one similar histrionic performance at the Manoel by a Polish guest conductor - whose name now escapes me - some years ago. What stuck in my mind was this Polish conductor's rather odd peculiarity of stooping very low on the podium when the orchestra was going through some pianissimo passage. I am sure that a lot of Manoel Theatre patrons can bear me out on this.
Incidentally, I have now come to know that at least one member of the audience was so dissatisfied with the conductor at the recent Manoel season inauguration concert that he had to leave prematurely. I am not surprised at all: my grandson, shifting next to me, confided afterwards that Mro Schembri's "overactivity" disturbed him to such an extent that, at times, he had to follow the performance with his head hanging low on his chest!
Coming back to Mr Calafato's comments, his strictures impel me to ask why on earth Mro Schembri elected to conduct Schubert from memory! From my seat, way back in the pit, with the grand piano obstructing the view, I could not ascertain whether the Emperor Concerto was likewise conducted from memory. For all I know, as a layman I presume that with the score right there in front of him, he might have avoided those pitfalls mentioned by Mr Calafato.
Perhaps it is good to remember that the now-iconic Arturo Toscanini once commented that even the great Victor de Sabata was "visually overactive". Who knows, perhaps Mro Schembri was monkeying de Sabata... or perhaps Leonard Bernstein! Even so, I wonder what Toscanini's verdict on the childish exhibitionism would have been.
Do we not, Manoel Theatre patrons, deserve something better?
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M. Buhagiar
Oct 21st 2008, 15:33
... and what not. But can you imagine what a conductor must be feeling when he's at work? I am no expert musician at all, but music transmits so many feelings to me, that I have to control my body not to react to it! So, to all the experts who have commented negatively on this performance, both on the technicality of the music, and on Mro Schembri's physical gestures ... relax and enjoy yourselves. When you go to a live performance, don't go there as if you were examiners ready to watch out for every single imperfection! Just loosen up and let the music (and the conductor) flow. With your attitude I'm afraid you're missing out a lot.
M. Buhagiar
Oct 21st 2008, 15:22
As I've said in an earlier comment on this matter, I am no music expert at all, but I love music and I am able to feel it reaching my heart and my soul, not just my ear drums. I've been following the criticism on the concert in question, both by amateurs and experts. Sadly enough, there has been much more negative criticism than positive. It is very sad indeed, because it seems some people just don't know how to enjoy themselves and have fun at all. The experts who have chosen to criticise the performance should perhaps invest in buying a good stereo and a good recorded cd, and stay at home listening to the music. A live performance is a different way of experiencing music, and in an orchestral performance you also get a conductor. It is a well known fact that every conductor has his own style, even in his physical expression, and yes, very often conductors do tend to "overdo" it. But I think it is very unfair to continue cricising Mro Schembri about his gestures. He shakes his curls, he almost jumps on the podium, he makes fists ....
Louiselle Spiteri
Oct 21st 2008, 14:30
Why cannot amateurs just stay quiet and leave a professional conductor to do his job.
I have been lucky enough to listen to various performances (at the Manoel and other venues) directed by Mro. Brian Schembri and he has always moved me both with his professionalism and his unquestionable skill. His greatness lies in his passion for his work.
No you do not deserve something better because when you actually get something / someone better you complain about it anyway!