On Sunday 4 October - yes, almost a month ago - music lovers gathered at the Corinthia Palace Hotel for a delightful afternoon concert entitled Memorable Piano Quintets, with pianist Joanne Camilleri joined by what were aptly described as "Malta's finest string players".
The programme opened with Mozart's Divertimento for String Quartet, a work overflowing with elegance, grace and good humour. The players brought out the music's conversational character beautifully, allowing Mozart's melodic invention and effortless charm to shine through. They really are hand-picked first class musicians.
This was followed by what many listeners regard as one of the most enchanting melodies ever written: Schubert's Ständchen or Serenade, in Franz Liszt's arrangement. Originally conceived as a song, the piece possesses a rare intimacy, speaking directly to the heart with its tender lyricism and gentle melancholy. Liszt's arrangement preserves the warmth of Schubert's inspiration while enriching it with the expressive possibilities of the piano. The result is music that seems suspended between song and dream, at once deeply personal and universally moving. Hearing it performed live was one of the emotional highlights of the afternoon. Thank you so very much Joanne.
Of all the works performed, Schubert's Serenade remains my particular favourite. Few pieces capture longing, tenderness and beauty so perfectly, and Liszt's arrangement allows the melody to unfold with an almost magical glow. I found myself wishing Joanne could play it again and again though that was naturally not possible. I have been listening to it on you tube, however, even as I am writing. But there is nothing like live music.
The concert concluded with Schubert's ever-popular Trout Quintet, one of the most joyful and life-affirming works in the chamber music repertoire. Inspired by Schubert's own song Die Forelle (The Trout), the quintet sparkles with freshness, vitality and melodic abundance. The musicians captured both its youthful exuberance and its moments of lyrical reflection, bringing the work to a thoroughly satisfying conclusion.
The word 'trout' immediately brought to mind my second sister's wedding dinner which had taken place in that very room some 60 years ago. Villa Refalo had then recently been extended and turned into the Corinthia Palace. The chef had suggested to my father ordering trout from England as a special treat and that is what happened. There were only about 25 of us but it was a joyful celebration. Excuse the digression.
As if the music were not enough, the afternoon ended with a delicious buffet, allowing concertgoers to relax, sit down and discuss the performance in the elegant surroundings of the hotel while eating something delicious prepared under the magic wand of renowned chef Francisco Mazzei. It was a fitting conclusion to an evening of memorable music-making and convivial company.
As November approaches and thoughts naturally turn to remembrance, the beauty of the afternoon's music lingered in my mind and led me to reflect on those who never had the opportunity to enjoy such moments.
It is November, the month of remembrance. My paternal grandfather died in WWI for a start and I never had the chance to meet him. My beloved father died on 3rd November 1986, just a few months before my beloved husband.
I remember going to the cemetery of El Alamein in Egypt, with my husband-to-be, all those years ago. Row upon row of crosses marked the graves of brothers, fathers and sons.
I also visited Flanders with my young one who was working in Brussels at the time. There, too, -- we sat down and cried our eyes out. It was too sad. We had promised each other to do something more cheerful the following day.
Look at my Diary this week. Beautiful music and now closing with a quiet moment of remembrance.
In this famous poem John McCrae manages to combine remembrance, loss and duty with the simple image of red poppies growing among the graves. The music reminds us how joyful life can be; the poem reminds us how precious it is.
I offer this poem to all those who died during the two world wars.
-In Flanders Fields
In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead, short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
By John McCrae
WHAT'S NEXT
Palace concerts
'Celebrating the Clarinet.'
Michael Pantalleresco will perform two famous Clarinet quintets at Villa Corinthia on 8 November at 5.3opm. For details please read Michael's interview on pages 18 and 19.
Also watch out for The Three Palaces concerts... and so much more.