What a great concert! This year’s closing concert by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) for the Malta Arts Festival, under the baton of Wayne Marshall, brought together American and Russian music in a spectacular grand finale at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
Marshall certainly needs no introduction to the Maltese public. He has directed the MPO before, and has a very recognisable energetic style. He has a tendency to dance on the podium, making him a joy to watch. Apart from that, he is also a fantastic pianist.
The evening opened with Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, a piece which epitomises not only the composer’s style, but the jazz age in general. At the turn of the century, America witnessed an economic boom, and New York became an artistic rival worthy of the great European cities.
In keeping with the spirit of the jazz age, this piece for piano and orchestra was originally written for a jazz band, and the piano part was greatly improvised. Marshall followed this tradition by improvising some very impressive passages.
He also managed to get that big band feeling out of an essentially classical orchestra, although with an enhanced wind section which seemed to be enjoying itself thoroughly.
This was followed by extracts from Bernstein’s Candide. Unfortunately, the commercial success of West Side Story has overshadowed Candide, a musical theatre piece which, in my opinion, is far superior. Nowadays, only the Overture has maintained a stable place in the repertoire, and the MPO delivered it energetically. Although it felt a bit too fast for my liking, one could still enjoy the momentum of it all.
The MPO managed to deliver a great concert in a hall which is dreary at best
This led straight into the Candide Suite, as orchestrated by Charlie Harmon. I hate to use the word ‘medley’ (too many awful connotations), but it was essentially a number of highlights from the work.
Despite losing the text (which is in itself nothing short of brilliant), one could still enjoy the dexterity of Bernstein’s musical imagination. I also confess I might not have been singing along as softly as I thought I was, but seriously, who can resist singing: “I am easily assimilated” in a fake Spanish accent?
The second part of the programme was taken up by Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. As was typical of his character, Tchaikovsky’s opinion of the work vacillated between enthusiasm and self-doubt, regardless of the fact that by the time he had written it, he was firmly established internationally.
The symphony’s unifying idea is the famous fate theme, which pervades all four movements.
Whenever it appears, it creates a sense of foreboding, even in the calmer second and third movements. Marshall brought out this sense of unease, combined with an element of defiance, which culminated in a triumphant finale.
I hate singling out people in an orchestral concert, because I firmly believe that the full orchestra, together with the conductor, are responsible for the music, but I cannot help mention the fantastic horn solo by Jose Garcia Gutierrez in the second movement. It was one of those moments that make an evening special. The other special moment was the finale. There was a feeling of togetherness that just lifted the whole work to a whole new level.
The MPO managed to deliver a great concert in a hall that is dreary at best, and not suited for orchestral concerts, in the sweltering July heat.
OK, fair enough, the hall is well air-conditioned, but I can assure you none of those musicians managed to go through it without sweating.