PPO IV: Fukumura, Wang & Saint-Saëns

Conductor Yoshikazu Fukumura and cellist Ray Wang

Featuring:

Ray Wang, cello

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Yoshikazu Fukumura, conductor

Programme:

Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36

Camille Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33

Manuel De Falla El sombrero de tres picos

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra welcomed returning guest conductor Yoshikazu Fukumura from Japan in the orchestra’s concert entitled Fukumura, Wang & Saint-Saëns held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Fukumura, one of the very entertaining guest conductors in recent years was joined by cellist Ray Wang in this concert that had lots of character.

The concert started with Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36 which is not one of the most memorable among the composer’s nine symphonies. For me, Beethoven’s even numbered symphonies, with the exception of the sixth, somehow pale in comparison with the odd numbered ones. But Fukumura, remarkably, was able to enliven this piece up especially during the third movement scherzo. This movement is notable as it was in this symphony that Beethoven forever broke away from the usual minuet that has been the norm for third movements since the days of Haydn.

Next up was Camille Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33 featuring cellist Ray Wang. It pleased me that this concerto straddled right in the middle for it was not as depressingly dramatic as Elgar and not as syrupy cheerful as Haydn. The piece started with just the briefest of introduction before the cello boldly asserts itself through arresting, furious triplets that were handled deftly by Wang. The one continuous movement instead of the typical three with pauses in between might’ve left an impression on others that this was a very long piece. But for me, it just breezed by, and before I knew it, Wang was already making his bows.

The second half with Manuel de Falla’s El sombrero de tres picos elevated the concert several notches higher. The Spanish dances were really brought to life by the exuberant conducting of Fukumura. One wouldn’t suspect that he wasn’t physically on top form during that night (he was even in pain) but his performance at the podium didn’t betray any hint of discomfort from him. In hindsight, it was only his unusual gait entering the stage (at one point he looked like he almost tripped) was his only misstep throughout that night. The Spanish flavor proved to be a huge hit among the audience and Fukumura gave more of that during the encore which was the Intermedio from the zarzwela La boda de Luis Alonso by Gerónimo Giménez.

During his previous guest conducting stint for the Fukumura Conducts Brahms cocnert, Fukumura disappointed concert goers who wanted to see him after the performance. Thankfully, he and Wang came to the lobby this time and both were showered with praise and congratulations by the very satisfied audience.