RBSO - A17: Andre Schoch plays Hummel Trumpet Concerto English Version

RBSO - A17: Andre Schoch plays Hummel Trumpet Concerto 

    After the classical music in Thailand took a break for Songkran for a full month (in fact any orchestra shouldn't have break at all since it has been shut their concert for months) and since reopening the country after Songkran this is probably the most-watched performance of RBSO (Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra) in many months. However due to the scaled-down ATK verification process means that even people who come half an hour before concert time can't be arrived to the concert in time. And for this reason I was very upset. It saying that Thai society has entered the Now Normal era, in fact we may have to stay in this condition for a long time until this well-known virus disintegrates. However, shortly before the start of the Concert it was announced that the conductor was changed due to the fact that Christian Kunert contracted with COVID-19 during rehearsal, Vanich Potavanich comes again in the very last minute. Since I mentioned him in the previous article, I would not discuss about him here. But what Christian wanted remained was that the seating position of the stringed group had changed in order to distribute the sound of the violin more clearly.

    In the first performance was Le nozze di Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, to put it simply it was a work of irony and satire so it was banned in the early days after it premiere. But the more prohibitive, the more it seemed making it the one of Mozart's most catchy works. But for a four-minute overture without to any part of the opera to use, and he finishing only two days before the first performance, it was a very short instrumentation. And maybe because of this reason, the overall performance was able to release the best potential from the very beginning. It is a perfrom in which the orchestra is exciting, perhaps not very fast but still puts the intensity of the strings well. I think it's the orchestra's smoothest play in terms of overtures.

    The second came to Johann Nepomuk Hummel's Trumpet Concerto. It may not be a very popular piece and although it was composed in the early romantic era, it still has a strictly classical-era traditions composing style. Surprisingly, good trumpet pieces were only available during this period and the instrument's importance disappeared until the jazz genre emerged. This time the sole performer of this concert is Andre Schoch, he wore a tuxedo and his trumpet to the concert. This work takes a very short duration to perform, In fact this concert is considered the shortest in term of durations in many years. When the First movement starts in the style that RBSO is very good at that is, the strings are not very condense. With a not too heavy brass so the tone goes the same way and then Schoch makes a graceful start. He acted like he didn't have to stress himself too much. Naturally, the ability of a woodwind musician, as measured by the continuity of a blow according to the power of the lung, is extremely challenging. Because as mentioned, the orchestra played not very hard, but Schoch was able to play in a very cheerful rhythm until the end. In second movement is take too long the trumpet start playing very gracefully even some of it slip out the track. As for the orchestra, they support each other as well in their style as close as the most of Mozart's era style. Maybe because of this, the wind instruments almost disappeared from their presence. And in the last movement which is a continuous play. There were some quicker tempo with some fun rhythms, however seem like Schoch wasn't that much enjoy as he had to play with his fingers, but it was enough to reach the end. Although it might not be very impressive, but it may alright as doesn't cause any serious blunder. Simply saying there's a great launch, but ended too normal, also there was no Encore.

    After the intermission culminated in Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 is highly recognizable by anyone especially the four opening notes. This orchestra are performs this piece at least in 4 different concerts in last 10 years. Because it's such a famous work so it has a wide interpretation. The orchestra start in the first movement with a much softer performance than I expected. By conductor interest in winds the sound is quite airy. Even though maybe too punchy because they have to play openly However from Vanich's point of view, He don't want the sound to be too harsh to intimidate the listener, but for me it's not punchs enough. Maybe because the wind's power is not powerful, But atleast they end this movement so-so.

    In the 2nd movement it is considered to be orchestra's favorite movement because the tempo is not very fast. There is still a continuation of the mood from the previous movement in terms of tone. It is said to go well, but not at the end. Then the conductor's weakest point was clearly visible around this time. Since the strings play a prominent role in this part, it shows that the strings are not very strong. But Potavanich still wants the brass to play a greater role. What they can do is play along the tune until the end, very blurry. In the 3rd movement, it doesn't pause for long because it wants to continue to pull the mood. and also to increase the power of the wind and brass more than before, cello and viola can come in as a good connect especially in adagio. They not playing apart and not overlapping Before they continuing until the beginning of the final movement, play chasing the notes until it's loud. A lively sound. The harmony of the orchestra where the wind instruments once again became strongest link, recounting the atmosphere comfortably, although it wasn't as dramatic as expected. String instruments when changing the role of playing supporting can show their abilities even better than playing lead role. Because when playing together without intense intensity, the orchestra can maintain their strength until the end of the piece. Even if it has to lose quite a bit of mood, But probably because the orchestra's ability is limited, they may have to compromise to stability in order to continue. Overall, in this piece, although the orchestra are no problems as much as before, if not because of brass. It might be a good interpretation, but I think there are several versions I think that there are many more perspectives that could be better.

    Although this concert did not last long. But because of the long break, causing the continuous performance time, the sound is starting to dry up, some come off bad, but still have the strength to fight until the end Even if a Potavanich is only a problem solver and is not a job that he is very good at. But it went through nothing special and still maintains the standard of the orchestra as it should be. Finally, I've noticed for a long time that artists or guest conductors to perform in Bangkok don't usually tell on their social media that they're performing in Bangkok, except for their friends online. I don't know if there is any problem with performances in Thailand or not, but safe to assume that Thailand aren't the destination that most artist likes. We must thrive to continue to be accepted internationally soon.

Here's The score

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Le nozze di Figaro (9.0)
• Johann Nepomuk Hummel - Trumpet Concerto
• Andre Schoch (7.5)
• RBSO (8.0)
• Ludwig van Beethoven - Symphony No. 5 (7.0)