It is evident that a great deal of attention was given to la prima the concert which opens the Season of our national theatre. The red carpet itself, laid outside the theatre, set the scene. This year members of staff from the Hotel Phoenicia, under the watchful eye of general manager Charles Azzopardi, stood outside with trays of prosecco and canapés, a fit start to la prima. It was a balmy evening, unlike last year when the heat, especially inside the theatre was stifling. The classical music establishment, the trainspotters of classical music were present. The Chairman of the Manoel, Dr Michael Grech, ever elegant and suave greeted everyone as we picked up a very attractive bi-lingual and extensive programme for the 2015-2016 Season which looks very promising. Moreover this year's concert programme has been revamped with notes by Dr Joseph Camilleri. I liked the addition of 'Interesting notes' and the 'Timeline' at the end of each piece of music which put it into context. For example under the first piece, the popular overture to Ruslan and Lyudmila (1842) by Glinka there was a note: 'Glinka once claimed that he got the inspiration for the overture's famous opening during a wedding dinner: "I was up in the balcony, and the clattering of knives, forks and plates made such an impression on me that I had the idea to imitate them in the prelude to Ruslan. I later did so, with fair success."
The 'Timeline note' told us that in 1842 the first surgical operation using ether as anesthetic was performed; work on Köln cathedral recommenced after 284 years; composer Arrigo Boito, author Ambrose Bierce and Saint Mary MacKillop were born while the authors Stendahl and Brentano Clemens and composer Luigi Cherubini died.
-----------------
That evening we knew we were in for a treat. The Soloist and Russian virtuoso, who has been described as the Paganini of the trumpet, who also played the flugelhorn was Sergei Nakariakov, accompanied by our Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Brian Schembri. The orchestra, that evening, gave it their all with Brian energetically conducting. Here is a conductor who is very sure of himself and it is evident that the orchestra feels secure under his leadership.
-------------
I spoke to Dr Grech afterwards and he told me that 'next year (fingers crossed) we will probably have the acclimatization project complete. I can confirm that the formal application for the EU funds has now been filed, so we hope to have a response by year's end. Meanwhile (I am sure you admired it) two-thirds of the façade has been painstakingly restored to its original baroque splendour... seven coats of paint later... completely rendered on stone, and with the original finials and mouldings reinstated on all the piano nobile apertures which had been previously hacked."
Dr Grech also said that the work on the ground floor will be starting with the reinstating of the original columns which flanked the main portal, on which the stone balcony will be rebuilt. The centre door on the piano nobile that had previously been converted into a window, has been opened as well as the sealing of the two lateral doors which were never part of the original design of the building (as these are the plinths of the two columns flanking the entire building), but opened merely for convenience sake. This work will hopefully, be completed by Easter.
----------------------
But now back to the music. First violin and leader Marcelline Agius has had her hair cut and it suits her. One of the 'cellists was playing a black 'cello which I found interesting. A glance at the list of MPO musicians told me that it must be Peter Flanagan. There are now many foreign musicians playing in our orchestra. Cross fertilization in anything is a good thing. We need a combination of the experienced and the new and young to reinvigorate everything including our national orchestra.
------------------
The first piece on the programme was the overture from Glinka's Ruslan and Lyudmila, a joyous piece. Glinka may be considered as the father figure of Russian music. He was influenced by the folk tunes to which he was introduced by his grandmother. Most of us are familiar with this overture and it was an excellent start to the evening.
What with the soloist being Russian and the conductor having received much of his musical education in Russia the second piece was by Tchaikovsky, the Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33. He was so brilliant but had such a sad life. Which of us doesn't recall Ken Russell's The Music Lovers, based on the life of this gifted composer. He had such a knack for great tunes. Prone to depression he exhibited suicidal tendencies on more than one occasion. He married at the age of thirty-seven but the relationship was loveless (on his side at least) and the stress began to put pressure on his mental health. Mrs Tchaikovsky herself ended up in an asylum. He felt guilty about his homosexuality which was socially unacceptable at the time. Oh dear Pyotr thou should be living at this hour and in oh so liberal Malta.
These variations were in fact written for 'cello and orchestra and it is Tchaikovsly's only major work for the 'cello. According to the programme notes it was transcibed for the flugelhorn by the Soloist himself. It was so evident that this relatively young Russian is a star not of one but of two instruments and felt at ease playing both. He was nothing short of brilliant and the audience was very appreciative.
Next the familiar and relatively light Variations on Carnival of Venice by a composer from Lyon, Jean-Baptiste Arban. The soloist played the trumpet this time round. How did he make it sing?
After the interval it was Brahms's Symphony No 2 in D Major, Op 73. I am not at all familiar with this work. I am a great fan of Brahms Hungarian Dances, Academic Festival Overture, Piano Concerto No 1.
This composer is said to have been quite curt and short-tempered but with a softer side. On his way out of a party, he once said: "If there is anyone here whom I have not insulted, I beg his pardon."
This was an evening of great music all round and an introduction to a gifted young Russian musician. I look forward to more evenings at the Manoel and thank all those who work hard to give us such high standards.
CAMPUS FM
I am a fan of Campus FM. The owner of some three transistor radios I follow almost everything that is produced. I love the combination of music and local programmes. Much to my disappointment this year two of my favourite presenters have disappeared in this schedule: Professor Gloria Lauri Lucente and Dr Charles Xuereb both of whom have many fans. I really cannot understand why their programmes seem to have been axed. Please bring them back or I shall tie myself to La Vallette's statue. They are familiar voices who know what they are talking about and who have many followers. We simply cannot do without them. I can think of at least two programmes on Campus FM which make me fall asleep or switch off the radio. Axe those instead.