Angelica Fenech and Gabriela Borges review a recent collaboration between the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and British conductor and pianist Wayne Marshall.

The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra recently hosted the third concert of the MPO Orchestral Concert Series, bringing to the Manoel Theatre a programme with two contrasting works – George Gershwin’s jazz-influenced Piano Concerto in F and Alexander Borodin’s characteristically Russian Symphony No.2 in B Minor. The performance was a continuation of a substantial partnership between MPO and the British conductor, organist and pianist Wayne Marshall, who was the guest conductor and soloist of the night.

The Gershwin concerto was performed first. Written in 1925 and commissioned by the conductor and director Walter Damrosh, it solidified Gershwin’s popularity following his highly successful Rhapsody in Blue in the year 1924. It is in three movements: Allegro, Adagio–Andante con moto and Allegro agitato.

Since this piece is a fusion of classical and jazz, it is in an idiom in which Marshall is at his most comfortabe. In this work, Marshall conducted and performed at the same time and this influenced the overall interpretation of the piece. The musicians were free to express themselves. However, there were a few short moments where the musicians felt slightly lost.

Taken at a fast pace, the energetic first movement was aptly projected. It started with a blast from the timpani, followed by a piano solo, which introduces a melody which is found throughout the movement. It ends in a flurry of sound.

The second movement contrasts strongly with the first. It starts at a slow tempo and has a dark atmosphere, which stimulates a visualisation of a particular setting, such as that of a bar in the 1920. It starts with an elegant solo by a trumpet, accompanied by a trio of clarinets, followed by the piano. The movement ends peacefully and was excellently executed.

Wayne Marshall

The last movement is pulsating and energetic and is influenced by ragtime. It features new material as well as melodies from the previous movements. It culminated into a grand explosive build-up of sound, which left the audience engaged till the very end. As a response to such a great musical execution, the audience enthusiastically applauded and one could also hear the occasional shouts of “bravo” directed to Wayne.

One cannot but look forward to more events by this skillful artist, which we are so lucky to have among us

In the second half of the concert, the MPO performed Alexander Borodin’s Symphony No.2 in B Minor, which consists of four movements: Allegro Moderato, Scherzo, Andante and Allegro. The symphony was composed between 1869 and 1876 and is regarded as the composer’s most important complete work. As for its musical content, it borrows material from other works previously written by Borodin, such as the opera Prince Igor, (which was left unfinished by the time of his death).

Together with Mily Balakirev, César Cui, Modest Mussorgsky, and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Borodin was part of a group of Russian composers called ‘The Mighty Handful.’ This group, also known as ‘The Five,’ was trying to create a new concept of national identity in music by making use of elements of Russian folk songs, and thus moving away from the German standards of classical music. In this sense, Borodin’s second symphony not only fits into these composers’ ideology, but also gives a grand picture of what was being intended.

Regarding the MPO’s performance, the first movement had its energetic character convincingly projected, albeit the tempo was taken a bit faster than usual in such a way that some notes played on the low strings did not sound very clear. Woodwind solo excerpts from the Scherzo were interpreted with delicacy and stood out from the rest of the movement. As for the third movement, it had a series of passages executed extremely well such as the opening horn solo with the velvety soft strings as an apt backdrop.

A melody divided between strings and woodwinds in a question and answer format was also beautifully performed.

Finally, the fourth and last movement is structured in a very peculiar way, and almost tricks the listener since it has two climaxes near each other. The second climax, which leads the piece to its end, was skillfully brought out with energy and force.

The concert was dedicated to the memory of the late John Micallef, a renowned musician and grandfather of Wayne Marshall’s wife, Jennifer Micallef.

Overall, the performance was very inspiring and entertaining. Both pieces were craftily executed and Marshall put so much emotion into both pieces, especially in his improvisatory part. He played with a certain agility, flexibility and naturalness.

One cannot but look forward to more events by this skillful artist, which we are so lucky to have among us.