The MPO Announces Its New Music Director - Claus Peter Flor (CPF)

[hautbois]

What is this nonsense? Do you have any information to contribute to answer the question?

So, what is the name of this orchestra in whatever language is the predominant/official one there?

In English - The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
http://malaysianphilharmonic.com/index.php

Do check out the programming for this season. 

Howard

[MichaelRabin]

Fascinating discussion, folks... 

That's actually what I wanted to express by posting that photo. I thought it spoke for itself ...  0:)

Why is there hostility towards Bamert - simply because he was too "gentle" with the musicians of the Malaysian Philharmonic? In fact he's a much-respected conductor partly because of his civility. Seems like the MPO musicians simply do not deserve civility? Also seems it's not as easy to forge a first-class unified ensemble just by bribing musicians to come to Malaysia. 

Thomas

Gentle is the wrong word to use. Bland and unassuming - to the point of boring
interpretations for 3 whole years! Arrgh! Good riddance! Bakels was more demanding and made the musicians play better by asking for more. You can't be a conductor and just stand there and not demand. The musicians can play badly and yet Bamert was paid to shape them up. Instead, he did nothing to improve the MPO. MPO standards declined drastically with Bamert. He also lost the Western Australian SO before the MPO. After his high of taking charge of the Lucerne Fest, his career is fast going downhill.

Thank God Bamert is gone and we have the much superior CP Flor. I am looking forward to his Ma Vlast on 31 August.

[M forever]

In English - The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
http://malaysianphilharmonic.com/index.php

Is there no Malay name?

[Lilas Pastia]

This is a bit of an enigma for me, actually (sorry if I make a fool of myself again, but nothing stands in the way of furthering my education). Last weekend I was reading with fascination all these Wiki articles about Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and the Malay language (the only official language in Malaysia if I read correctly - complete with dozens of examples with local variants). I also perused the MPO web site. Try as I might I could find nothing about a malay designation. And yet it takes pain to emphasize the sponsorhip link with Petronas, which is conveniently spelled out in full in the same site as Petroliam Nasional Berhad. Nice to know there's an actual name behind the acronym. I feel I'm advancing (I knew next to nothing about Malaysia before except for the basics). So I imagine there HAS to be a malay name for the MPO ? Unless Wiki has it wrong and English is another widely used language there ? I note that in neighbouring Singapore English is the administrative language of the country, and that there are three other official languages (one of them being Malay). I also read that relations are frayed between the two countries. It seems like a delicate issue. Singapore also has a good symphony orchestra (I have a few discs by each outfit). But I'm much more impressed with the MPO's programming. It's outstanding in every respect. I had trouble selecting three concerts here for the Montreal season. I'd be broke if I lived in Kuala Lumpur.

[M forever]

Dunno, the programs don't look that uusually exciting to me. I seem some Lutoslawski and Penderecki, but apart from that, it seem to be the typical Greates Classical Hits program.

[M forever]

Yeah...we all know how that always happens...Another Bakels masacre? Let's hope not...

What does that mean?

Anglicized the Munich Philharmonic is indeed MP but if it were Munich Philharmonic Orchestra - MPO could be its short-form. M-Forever - any insights to CP Flor and his conducting?

I only saw him two or three times in Berlin when he conducted the Berliner Sinfonie-Orchester. But I don't remember anything at all about the concerts, not even the programs or what it was like...he got the position with the BSO relatively young, whether for artistic quality or getting along well with the East German regime (or both), I don't know. I know they tried to bild him up as a star after the reunification, got him recording deals and all that, but that never amounted to much, and then he disappeared from view completely. I came across one of his CDs the other day (but never heard any of them) and remembered him, but I thought he was dead because he wasn't heard of again...

[hautbois]

Dunno, the programs don't look that uusually exciting to me. I seem some Lutoslawski and Penderecki, but apart from that, it seem to be the typical Greates Classical Hits program.

You should have seen the programming when Bamert was here. You would be a laughing hyena. 
For a NON Western country like Malaysia, having a pre-9th Beethoven symphony performed anywhere live is already a blessing in itself. And 3 Bruckner symphonies in 1 season, now, i call that good programming. 

What does that mean?

Referring to "Yeah...we all know how that always happens...Another Bakels masacre? Let's hope not..."

Bakels famously, during his tenure sacked many many players that he had prejudice towards and had even at one point tried to fire/reaudition almost 50 members of the orchestra. No doubt that the results produced were world class though, but then again, one can take things way too far sometimes.

Regarding the Malay name of the orchestra, there is simply non. Ironically, the hall that the MPO plays in is called the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, which translates to The Philharmonic hall of Petronas.

Howard

[M forever]

Bakels famously, during his tenure sacked many many players that he had prejudice towards and had even at one point tried to fire/reaudition almost 50 members of the orchestra. No doubt that the results produced were world class though

Were they? I had never ever heard of "Kees Bakels" before I read about him in these pages. Or since.

[hautbois]

Were they? I had never ever heard of "Kees Bakels" before I read about him in these pages. Or since.

With the amount of symphony orchestras around the world nowadays, and so many conductors, who really deserves the recording contracts and endorsements? You would know better than anyone here on GMG on how conductors come and go, and how some are less respected than others, and how some orchestra would love this conductor and the other not. Listen to the recordings of the Rimsky Korsakov orchestral works, in particular the Snow Maiden cd, all made with the Malaysian Philharmonic, in a blind folded test, Gergiev should feel ashamed of himself and his Kirov orchestra. But of course, your ignorance is understandable, who cares about a billion dollar symphony orchestra in the middle of South East Asia? Well, i do.

Howard

[Senta]

I just looked at the orchestra's site and the programming is indeed very good. A nice mix of the classic, the unexpected, and the new. And not just the classical orchestral programming is good, but the mix of chamber concerts, world music, family concerts, film music is well-chosen also.

I see an Ades, Adams, and Takemitsu concert, Lutoslawski and Szymanowski...a Nielsen 2nd with Vanska?  Some fine Bruckner symphonies capped with a Mahler 6, and treats sprinkled around such as several Martinu works and a DSCH 1 and 12. That concert with DSCH 1st and the Janacek House of the Dead plus Artunian Tpt Concerto is a winner. I see that is actually their principal soloing there, I've heard he is supposed to be quite good, fairly new.

Actually, wow, I didn't realize how young the orchestra was, I see they were founded in 1998. Looks like they are doing quite well already, with a nice hall and a very diverse membership.

Does their season run longer there, or all year? I see they have concerts listed through next summer - did a double take when I saw their concert next June, with Torke's Color Music, Korngold and Ives 2nd. Good stuff.

[Lilas Pastia]

You should have seen the programming when Bamert was here. You would be a laughing hyena. 
For a NON Western country like Malaysia, having a pre-9th Beethoven symphony performed anywhere live is already a blessing in itself. And 3 Bruckner symphonies in 1 season, now, i call that good programming. 

Howard

Glad you mentioned it . But that's not the only reason I find the programming interesting. The concerts are solid. Good balance, excellent choices that for a good 2/3 veer toward the less familiar. Here (Montreal) the ratio is reversed and consequently the interest wanes year after year. The Montreal management (including the Music Director) think they have an uphill task on their hands and have chosen the route of dull, 'safe' programming, with a couple of major 'happenings' (Mahler 8 in the hockey arena) for glamour . If only they realised that the audience has been around for longer than themselves, they'd be more adventurous in their programming decisions. Honestly, the MPO season looks like a candy shop next to ours.

The Rimsky series on BIS is excellent as far as the orchestra/engineering is concerned, but the interpretations are nothing special. Thoroughly professional would be a good description. I would liken the results to late Dutoit-Montreal stuff (when boredom had settled on Dutoit). Bakels is a well-known conductor for Vaughan-Williams aficionados. He recorded most of the symphonies on Naxos (the Ellis Island of the budding collector). I think he does very well by them, but without the inimitable character Boult found in the works.

[MichaelRabin]

Another bewitching performance from Flor & the MPO on Malaysian National Day - but with Smetana nationalistic Ma Vlast. Especially well played were the first 4 poems and the final one. Even Flor could not work his magic for the weakest one (compositionally speaking - that's the fifth one - Tabor). A performance full of colour, rhythm and life in my opinion. Anyone else went there? Hautbois? Mishugina Weapon?

[MISHUGINA]

It was okay. The Martinu/Suk concert was far superior. Check my latest review on my blog.

As for M's comment about "Classical Greatest Hits" even the calender has programmes which is already too deep for Malaysian audiences, the disastarous Martinu/Suk concert demonstrated that (disaster in terms of attendence, 1/3rd of hall filled and majority are expats  ). The Sarah Chang programme is smartly programmed which after her playing the Bruch will be followed by Penderecki's 2nd symphony (LOL). Surprisingly the last time CPF conducted Bruckner 5 it was quite well attended. You bet also any Mahler concert will be filled with brim.

I do not think Malaysian classical enthusiasts in general deserves the MPO. They want Berlin, Vienna PO, Rattle, Argerich, Lang Lang and top-notch soloists like Sumi Jo, Kiri Te Kanawa to visit Kuala Lumpur every year (which is impossible). There is one vocal specialist who commented how MPO programme is getting lousier simply because there is no longer much top-notch artists coming here as compared before. With worldwide economic recession and credit crunch crisis happens, obviously money can't be spent as much as before!

If more and more empty seats are seen, difficult concerts by 20th century and contemporary composers are "boycotted" and more expats overwhelm local audiences it will be matter of time before MPO calls it a day.

[Lilas Pastia]

I don't think you should be so pessimistic. 'Difficult' or 'unfamiliar' music have been the bane of concert organizers - as well as their pride and challenge - from day one. You should count yourself lucky to have such a splendid orchestra and solid roster of soloists and conductors willing to try those works which may prove hard to sell at first, but will likely establish themselves as classics before you get grey hair. I envy you. Forget about the distinction between expats and Malaysians. Before you know it, it will be gone. It's only normal that expats would seek, attend and appreciate classical music more than natives. By definition, the world is their country - and Music is their domain.

[MichaelRabin]

Personally, I think that CP Flor is a superbly judged appointment for the MPO. The orchestra went downhill after Kees Bakels left and the orchestra was in bad hands of Matthais Bamert. He did nothing to improve the orchestra at all. Standards became more and more lax as he was too "polite" and not sufficiently authorative. Flor is a breath of fresh air. The orchestra plays with more passion and pride. There's also more colour and rhythmic vitality. Certainly after about 3 years under Bamert (with some guest concerts by Bakels), the MPO was still a rougher jewel than it was under Bakels. Now Flor is making it gleam a fair bit more.

Audiences should be encouraged to attend the concerts in a manner/mixture of familiar and unfamiliar pieces. I heard that the Martinu and Suk concert (Martinu - Lidice and Conc for Str Quartet & Orch plus Suk's Asrael) was very good but attendance was poor (maybe 200 audience to 100 orch members?)
If they put Sarah Chang in Prokofiev VC 1 instead of that Martinu Conc, the audience numbers would surge!

[Lilas Pastia]

That's what they should do, actually. Concertgoers insist on their standard fare and will flock to programs with "name soloists" or acknowledged masterpieces. If you mix those with the unfamiliar, you get a well-balanced concert that will satisfy the town burghers as well as the music students.

I'm planning to buy a ticket for an all-Strauss Montreal concert next November 4 (doesn't something happen on that date?). It's a strange assemblage of works but it adds up to a good program. Franz-Paul Decker, the 80-something former MD of the MSO (and NZSO) has the idiom in his blood. Not a 'name' conductor, but an old hand and a fine musician. Works include the so-called Rosenkavalier Suite (I don't care much for it, but it's good material for the strings and horns), the Burleske for piano and orchestra, and the Sinfonia Domestica. Two years ago Decker conducted the mighty Alpensinfonie and I can still hear it in my head.  I don't think the Domestica will be programmed in my lifetime again, so it's my chance to make up my mind about the piece. Marc-André Hamelin plays the Burleske. I don't think I'd bother if it wasn't for him. So when all things are considered, it's as good a program as any because of the featured composer, choice of unfamiliar works, the conductor and the soloist. Would that there were other such programs.