MSO II: The Trumpet Calls

Trumpeter Manu Mellaerts and the Manila Symphony Orchestra

Featuring:

Manu Mellaerts, trumpet

Manila Symphony Orchestra

Thanos Adamopoulos, conductor

Programme:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphony No. 35 in D major, K. 385 Haffner

Johann Nepomuk Hummel Trumpet Concerto in E flat major, S. 49

Franz Schubert Symphony No. 9 in C major D. 944 Great

The Color Your World 2013-2014 Concert Season of the Manila Symphony Orchestra resumed with the orchestra’s second performance, The Trumpet Calls at the Santiago Francisco Hall. Along with guest conductor Thanos Adamopoulos and trumpeter Manu Mellaerts, the orchestra presented a programme featuring pieces by Mozart, Hummel and Schubert that called to mind the era when royalty and nobility still were a moving force at the old world.

The concert started regally with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 35 in D major, K. 385. This work is also known as the Haffner Symphony since Mozart was commissioned to write it by the Haffners, when Sigmund Haffner was ennobled. In true classical Mozart fashion, the music was energetic, bold but still retaining that crisp and light quality characteristic of the Classical era. The same could be said with the following piece which was Johann Nepomuk Hummel’s Trumpet Concerto in E flat major, S. 49 featuring Manu Mellaerts. This piece was composed by Hummel for Anton Weidinger, court trumpeter to Prince Anton Esterhazy which is in keeping with the royal/noble theme of this concert. Mellaerts delivered a performance fit for a royal court, showcasing the capabilities of the trumpet going from loud and robust to gentle and eloquent with such ease. But I’d like to say that the tempo and character of the trumpet concerto and the previous symphony was almost basically the same. And for someone who isn’t well versed with the Classical period (or not too keen with it, like me), it’s hard to distinguish whether a piece was by Mozart or Hummel or Haydn for that matter even though it’s easy to recognize music from that era.

Thanos Adamopoulos and the Manila Symphony Orchestra

And it’s because of my somewhat indifference with the Classical era that got me thrilled with Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 in C major D. 944 also known as the Great to distinguish it with the shorter sixth symphony which is also in C major. This lengthy, noble and serious piece of work from the Romantic period was published and performed some years after Schubert died and only through the efforts of Robert Schumann. Sadly, at that time, this symphony was slow to gain acceptance and acclaim. But now, it is regarded as Schubert’s finest orchestral work. Knowing the story behind the music made me appreciate the MSO’s performance a lot better. Thanos Adamopoulos wielded his baton and brought out from the orchestra not just the energy and vitality of the music but also the greatness that Schumann heard in this piece as well. Despite its length, I enjoyed the Great a lot more than the Haffner. But then again, I prefer Romantic pieces compared to Classical ones.

Sadly, it was during this concert when I started to lament the unavailability of the Philam Life Auditorium which was the MSO’s regular performance venue for the past few years. The acoustics of the Santiago Francisco Hall leaves a lot to be desired and the MSO didn’t sound as brilliant compared to their last performance at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. It’s such a pity that the MSO will have to bear with this venue for the rest of its season since they deserve a much better sounding venue that can give justice to their sound.

This concert by the Manila Symphony Orchestra was presented in cooperation with the Embassy of Belgium. And present during this night was Belgian Ambassador Christian Meerschman and Mrs. Greta Meerschman.

The Color Your World 2013-2014 Concert Season continues with Spectacle featuring violinist Diomedes Saraza Jr. happening this August 10, 2013 at the Santiago Francisco Hall at the BDO Complex.