Paul Mann conducts MPO, R.I.P Towers Malaysia

9 May 2008

Bernstein: On the Waterfront symphonic suite
Copland: Clarinet Concerto
Barber: Symphony no. 1
Bernstein: West Side Story symphonic dances

with Phillip Arkinstall on clarinet


Too bad there isn't much pics of decent resolution of conductor Paul Mann, because he's a lovable grizzly-bear looking conductor who has penchance for speaking on mike before audiences when conducting a concert. Last time I heard his concert was a intense Shostakovich 11 while impressive, isn't really a work I am fond off compared with symphonies no. 5, 7, 10 (not any fault of the players or conductor though). I love it how he commented that Bernstein composed only one film score in his entire life, yes the legendary film starring Marlon Brando and how the directors toned down his music whenever Brando grunts on screen (LOL). It was a brilliant performance and I was impressed how the sforzandos from the violins were scary enough to grap your heart out. The Aaron Copland concerto was a wonderful piece, despite patchy playing from the violins, with singing, hymn-like opening played by the strings typical of Copland, then the jazzy, swing-like tunes later when the tempo goes upbeat. Phillip Arkinstall gave a fine performance, and funny enough he looked like a schoolkid with his attire while holding his instrument. But if a clarinettist say, Sabine Meyer plays this piece I bet the performance would've been jawdropping, but that's asking way too much.

The Barber symphony is episodic in manner as Sibelius 7, with soaring romanticism and Paul Mann giving the most Lenny-like gesture to his players as much as possible (after all he remarked Bernstein is his hero and he once mailed a package containing his unpublished piano pieces in response to Maestro Mann's "fan-mail" letter). West Side Story as usual was mindblowing and the players shouted "Mambo" as opposed to unusual silent omission when Eiji Oue conducted it last few seasons ago. The MPO trumpets was having a freaking blast, seriously. My worst complaint? The deadpan audiences who seemed not giving a hoot it was good shit. And I shake my head in amazement when eccentric and overrated performers like Lars Vogt and Lang Lang gets shouts of "Bravo" when they play simple encore pieces like "Rondo Alla Turca" >_>

On unrelated note, Tower Record in KLCC is officially packing up. I guess the whole franchise is shutting down in this country already. Few weeks ago, the classical section has pretty impressive titles including Naxos Historicals despite it's craazy cut-throat prices of RM 37.90 (normal price is RM 27.90 dammit!). Few years ago the whole store was flooded with DG originals titles. Classical music enthusiasts can only window shop at Borders and some Rock Corner shops which its titles are already stagnating. 90% of cds in my library are all bought from Towers. Not surprisingly it is already difficult for music shops here to survive due to downloads from internet being the norm now. It's a bleak future for Malaysian classical music scene now.