Ramona Depares gets a sneak preview of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra’s upcoming events.
It’s set to be another hectic season for the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) as it sheds away the staid and stiff image traditionally associated with classical orchestras in favour of an eclectic programme that is likely to attract a number of converts.
This season’s performances have something for everyone. As is now traditional, there will be a full season at the Manoel Theatre catering especially for the purists who put great stock in the word ‘classical’ when referring to classical music.
The season kicks off in style on November 2 with a concert that features Carmine Lauri on the violin, conducted by Michael Laus. Lauri, who is currently co-leader with the London Symphony Orchestra, will also be giving another two concerts throughout the season, besides giving a number of masterclasses.
The baroque concerts at the neo-Gothic Robert Samut Hall in Floriana – which has proven to be beautifully suited for these intimate, smaller-scale, orchestral performances – will also make a comeback.
With baroque music awareness on the rise, this year the MPO has taken a step further and settled on Baroque and More, with a programme that includes straightforward Baroque pieces and other pieces adapted to fit this style.
Traditional names like Vivaldi, Handel, Bach and Corelli will be included, but get ready for some surprises, such as songs by The Beatles arranged in the baroque style of concerti grossi for a Valentine’s Day concert aptly called Love, Love, Love.
The series will also include contemporary composers, whose works will be given a baroque twist even through the choice of instruments, such as the harpsichord. Expect the likes of Philip Glass, considered one of the most influential composers of the 20th century, who will also be taking pride of place in the Glass: Handel With Care concert in May (incidentally a clever play on words).
The baroque series will include Christmas and Easter concerts, the latter notable for including composer John Vella’s neo-Baroque Concerto for Bassoon and Strings.
The third arm of the MPO’s endeavours this season falls under the umbrella of Educational MPO, which focuses on families and children. Four concerts are being prepared, including one performance, Heroes and Villains (which features children’s favourite heroes fighting it out with the meanest of villains in the orchestral arena) in the Żigużajg Kids and Youths Arts Festival.
All performances present classical music with a twist, playing on the love that little ones have for good story-telling with a hefty dose of imagination. Meet the Basses, to be held in December, is likely to entrance due to the interactive, hands-on approach being planned.
The concert will take an informal format, with children sitting on the floor to get up close and personal with the instruments as they interact with the musicians and even get to try out some of the instruments.
Glass features yet again in the children’s programme with a score based on Brian Green’s Icarus, an adaptation of the classical myth that centres around a boy who is born in a spaceship en route from Earth to another point in the galaxy.
Finally, in what promises to be the jewel in the crown of an eclectic season, the MPO will in May present The Peacemakers, conducted by the composer Karl Jenkins himself.
Inspired by the writings of various spiritual and human rights leaders, the score was premiered by Jenkins earlier this year. What makes this composer particularly noteworthy is the fact that he hails from a rock background and only delved into the classical at a later stage of his career; because of this, his concept of music fusion is an extremely natural one.
The performance of The Peacemakers will include the participation of a choir, a soprano and an orchestra that is smaller than the full compliment.
The MPO is currently holding auditions for choirs that are already established and that would like to be part of the final choir. A call for a solo soprano is also expected to be issued soon.
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