The Malta Independent on Sunday
A toast to some wonderful musicians
Of Loss and Love. Such an intriguing title beckoned me to a concert by MPO musicians and guest artists to the Robert Samut Hall a couple of weeks ago. The ambience of this concert was quite informal. Beautifully compered by Nora Karakousolou, in English, she later played the cello with the ensemble. She is a sought-after performer, tutor and teaching coach and a member of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. Nora put the audience into a mood of great expectations for that evening. We were not disappointed.
The ensemble consisted of a pianist, Francis James Camilleri, six strings and French Horn. The leading violinist was Maria Conrad who was born in Germany. She is also a pianist and has played with various orchestras all over the world. Maria’s name is very well known here, too. She spent several years playing with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.
The programme that evening consisted of Johannes Brahms Horn Trio in Eflat major, Op. 40 and Arnold Schoenberg Verklärte Nacht, Op. 4.
Brahms Horn Trio which he composed in 1865 is a chamber piece in four movements for horn, violin and piano. The work commemorates the death of the composer’s mother earlier that year. The four movements are alternatively melancholy, light, melancholy again but the last movement Allegro con brio reminds us that there are happy memories to remember, too. It was fast and exciting leaving us with hope for the future. Altogether a comforting work. José Garcia Gutiérrez the Spanish Horn player did not seek to dominate but to be one of the group of three. Maria Conrad played the violin and Francis James Camilleri the piano. A tour de force and a most enjoyable composition.
In his early career Brahms earned a living playing piano in brothels around his native Hamburg. He continued to tour as a pianist and was regarded as a master of every type of music, except for opera, to which he never turned his hand.
He is said to have been quite a curt and short-tempered man, but his friends claimed that he had a softer side, which he did not always show towards strangers. On his way out of a party he once said, ‘If there is anyone here whom I have not insulted, I beg his pardon.’
His talent was extraordinary however and he wrote excellent examples of just about every genre of classical music. This has, quite rightly, meant that he is regarded as one of the giants among composers. I love his Hungarian dances best of all.
The second piece that evening was by the Austrian composer Arnold Schoenberg (1874 to 1951). Verklärte Nacht, Op. 4. Possibly his most famous piece I have to say that his music is not to my taste. I don’t enjoy his mostly jarring and discordant music. Life is jarring and discordant enough as it is. I like music which says something to my soul and which ‘soothes my savage breast’. However, Schoenberg is said to be very influential and widely admired by other composers. He may be a very important figure in 20th century classical but largely his atonal explorations are an acquired taste. Will some of his works at least become part of the major repertoire of the future? Who knows?
I have to say that if I listen to it several more times I shall get to like Verklärte Nacht, Op. 4 more and more probably.
Throughout the evening these musicians played as if their very lives were at stake but with evident pleasure. Brahms particularly had warmth, polish and subtlety. Schoenberg had plenty of poetry too, but not enough for me.There was tremendous intensity and variety of tone and enthusiasm throughout the evening. But above all, I felt I was in the presence of professionals who knew their instruments and their music and gave us of their best. As first violin, Maria Conrad was truly superb. Let me mention those musicians I did not yet mention: Irina Simon-Renes, a Rumanian classical violinist; Alexandre Razera and Nadia Debono played the Viola; and Ákos Kertész the Cello.
I wish to urge you to attend the Summer Festival, and whatever is being offered. Let us support our theatres, artists, musicians and our Philharmonic Orchestra. We are so lucky to have such a full cultural programme, even throughout the summer months. Take your children along when appropriate. Don’t let’s have empty theatres and concert halls. Let us support the arts and artists. Life would not be the same without them. We are so lucky to be able to attend cultural events for well-priced tickets. Just look at the prices abroad. London theatre prices have become prohibitive for the average person. We shouldn’t miss the opportunities we are given here, on our very doorstep. I say it again and again. We are so lucky!