PPO III: Fukumura Conducts Brahms

Yoshikazu Fukumura conducts the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Featuring:

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Yoshikazu Fukumura, conductor

Programme:

Ludwig van Beethoven Overture from Creatures of Prometheus, Op. 43

Frederick Delius Irmelin Prelude

Zoltán Kodály Dances of Galánta

Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra welcomed Japanese Yoshikazu Fukumura who was their guest conductor during the third concert for their 30^th Season Milestones at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). For this concert billed as Fukumura Conducts Brahms, the PPO presented the music of concert staples Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms alongside Frederick Delius and Zoltán Kodály whose works aren’t as often played here in the Philippines.

The opening piece, Beethoven’s Overture to Creatures of Prometheus, Op. 43 seemed to be a late addition to the program since there wasn’t any mention of it prior to the concert. Nonetheless, I am always for having additional pieces at a concert no matter how unfamiliar they may be. I’ve only heard this once before when the Manila Symphony Orchestra under Alexander Vikulov played it during their  Beethoven Lives! concert. Unfortunately, I’ve already forgotten everything about the piece. Nevertheless, the PPO’s performance of this piece served as my introduction to Fukumura and a reintroduction to the overture. Frederick Delius’ Irmelin Prelude was the next piece to be played. I liked the simple rising melody that was presented beautifully throughout this dreamy and tranquil piece which I think is an elegant showcase for the winds section. Rounding up the first half of the concert was Zoltán Kodály’s Dances of Galanta. The programme notes said that this was taken from the style of dances called verbunkos. It was meant to entice potential recruits into enlisting but that gave me no idea on how it sounds like. Based on the PPO’s performance, I heard a piece that had alternating tempo, with fast movements briefly interrupted by a recap of earlier themes before ending in a brisk and intense finish. How this type of music could convince anyone from enlisting has me bewildered. It was during this time when I noticed something very peculiar regarding Fukumura’s conducting which I will explain later.

Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 2 which made up the entire second half of the concert was the most awaited piece of the concert for me and probably for many. In this symphony, Fukumura was able to show the contrast between the first and second halves of the symphony. The first half was dark and somber, evoking the mood of Brahms’ Symphony No.1. The second half was noticeably cheerful and bright leading many to think that this was Brahms’ pastoral symphony. This Brahms by Fukumura and the PPO was a vast improvement over the Brahms 1 that the orchestra did almost three years ago. And some even felt that this was the best Brahms 2 that the orchestra has ever played. But I still have to say the listening to the very horn section felt like watching a tight rope act fearing that something terribly wrong might happen.

Like what I’ve mentioned earlier, Fukumura had a very peculiar and amusing way of conducting. He seemed to be out of sorts, as if he was intoxicated, but someone from the orchestra told me that even during rehearsals, he was already like that. While he moved quite oddly, the sound he was able to produce from the orchestra was nonetheless superb especially the Brahms. Not so superb was the disappointment that many felt after the concert since Fukumura opted not to have the usual meet and greet citing tiredness.

Text by RAd
Photo by Kiko Cabuena