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| Pianist Albert Tiu and clarinetist Marcel Luxen |
Featuring:
Albert
Tiu, piano
Marcel
Luxen, clarinet
Programme:
Robert
Schumann Fantasiestücke, Op. 73 for
Clarinet and Piano
Johannes
Brahms Sonata for Clarinet and Piano No.
1 in F minor, Op. 120
Carl
Maria von Weber Grand Duo Concertant
in E flat major, Op. 48
Johannes
Brahms Sonata for Clarinet and Piano No.
2 in E flat major, Op. 120
The
MCO Foundation opened its Great Performances Series 2013 with an intimate night
of chamber music featuring pianist Albert Tiu and Belgian clarinetist Marcel Luxen at the Ayala Museum
The
duo started with Robert Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, Op. 73 for Clarinet and
Piano. The uncooperative weather almost made me arrive late but I managed to
make it just in the nick of time, and this short, lyrical three-movement piece
helped me settle into the night quickly. I found the piece very uplifting giving no hint whatsoever to the upcoming madness that would plague Schumann
later in his life. The piano part in this piece was relegated more to a supporting role unlike the Gran Duo Concertant in E flat major, Op. 48 by Carl Maria von
Weber which started the second half of the concert. In this piece, the pianist
was equal in spotlight and virtuosity giving Albert Tiu moments to shine. Both
halves of the concert concluded with the clarinet sonatas by Johannes Brahms. The
Sonata for Clarinet and Piano No. 1 in F minor, Op. 120 ended the first half
while No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 120 rounded up the concert entirely. Both of these sonatas were among Brahms’ latter works after he came out of retirement. These
two pieces are very somber in nature, autumnal and very introspective which is
very fitting for an intimate night of chamber music. I’ve always associated the
clarinet as a very jolly sounding music instrument and I am glad that I was
able to hear a different and more serious side to it courtesy of Marcel Luxen and Albert Tiu.
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| Marcel Luxen, RAd and Albert Tiu |
The Masterclass
The
following day, Albert Tiu and Marcel Luxen both conducted masterclasses at the
Amorsolo Room of the Ayala Museum
Afterwards,
I had the pleasure of joining Albert and Marcel, along with the MCO Foundation,
for dinner. I was a bit hesitant at first to ask them questions but I managed
to throw in a few after a bottle of beer. It
led to a very fascinating discussion with topics ranging from PSY’s Gangnam
Style, Luxen’s dislike of Pierre Boulez’ music, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto
No. 2, Nodame Cantabile and how classical music can survive and contemporary
music can break through in this era with the internet being a major factor in
our daily lives. Luxen summed it up by saying that he doesn’t know if there
will be a new orchestral work that will take the music world by storm just like
the old days. The future of music is still one great unknown and we'll only see it as it happens.
I
thought that watching the concert by Albert Tiu and Marcel Luxen would just be
enough but I’ve had the opportunity to hang out with them and know more about
their thoughts and opinions regarding various topics in and out of music.
Thanks to MCO Foundation for the opportunity. Do watch out for the next Great
Performances Series 2013 this July 27,
2013 at the Ayala Museum
Text by RAd
Photos by Ruth Medel
