You really have to know that Beethoven is definitely not my favourite composer. Probably the main reason is boredom ��" his music chases us everywhere we go and even when we don't go anywhere! It's played in elevators, on the phone when they put us on hold for ages, used as mobile ringtones, played on commercials and of course old movies and sitcoms. This is too much. Besides, I think some of his works were too heavy for the classical era he belonged to. I do believe that if he were alive today he'd be making heavy metal numbers. Having said all that, I must admit that my all time favourite work is his 9th Symphony ��" the 4th Movement to be precise. The wonder of it all is that Beethoven composed that symphony after losing his hearing. How talented was this man? He felt each and every note without being able to listen to them and worked on the amazing harmony as well. This was a true miracle. At the premiere he couldn't even hear the applause after it was finished! One of the peculiar things about that masterpiece is the singing ��" to use human voices in a symphony is an exception as you might know and in this epic Beethoven included two female singers and two male ones, as well as a choir. What am I blubbering about? In case you didn't guess it, I am talking about a performance of Beethoven's 9th, which took place at the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House, on Saturday, June 26. This was performed by the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Marcello Moattadelli. It also featured the A Cappella Choir, coached by Maya Gvineria. As for the soloists, they were soprano Iman Moustafa, mezzo Jolie Faizy, tenor Hisham El-Guindy and bass Reda El-Wakil. The words were taken from a German poem written by Friedrich Schiller in 1785 (Yes I got the man's name and the year he wrote the poem in from the internet). It is called "Ode an die Freude", known to us as "Ode to Joy". There is a very interesting fact about it ��" it is the anthem of the European Union and the Council of Europe and is referred to it as the "European Anthem". Even Beethoven would have been thrilled to know that his music represents the entire European Union. Before I tell you about this performance, I want to say that if it wasn't for my friend and choir member Nohir Saeed, I wouldn't have known anything about this concert because it was not properly promoted. We know that the Cairo Symphony Orchestra usually plays on Saturdays at the Main Hall, but we hardly get to know anything else, including the works they are going to perform. This means that many people will simply have to take a chance on attending, not knowing what they are going to listen to. It could be the work they hate the most! Orchestra members went on stage, eight minutes after they should have appeared. Since there was no interval, the choir members had to be there from the very start, although they only took part in the 4th Movement, but of course they couldn't just march on and take their seats in the middle of the performance. A minute later Marcello joined them, took a bow and gave the starting signal. But… two performers were missing ��" a male choir member and his female colleague who were late! I was standing backstage and saw them arriving and obviously they freaked out for not being able to join the others. I was very curious to know their reasons for being late and write them in this review, but since I don't know them in person, I didn't want to impose myself and ask. The 1st Movement was fine and by the famous opening phrase of the 2nd Movement I was starting to enjoy the performance. Reda was standing in the wings shortly after the work started and he saved the day for the two choir members by suggesting that they should sneak on stage with the four soloists, who joined the others before the 3rd Movement started. This trick actually worked and most people didn't notice anything. With nothing going on backstage, I instantly agreed when Opera Director Hisham El Tally suggested we would go and get balcony seats. Speaking of seated people, soloists and choir members remained seated till the 4th Movement. Shortly after it started the cellos and contrabasses played that irresistible phrase, which was later sung by all singers. The symphony lasted for about 70 minutes and we enjoyed each and every one of them. Then the Maestro gave some kind of a speech to thank the orchestra and choir. He gave them credit and said that they worked very hard. Knowing many of these people, I know they exerted enormous effort. Since I'm speaking of the conductor, I have to say that I was really surprised by his outfit. No one at all, with no exceptions, should be allowed to go on the stage of Cairo Opera House's Main Hall and conduct the Cairo Symphony Orchestra to perform this exceptional symphony while wearing a sweatshirt! In Italy, where he comes from, this would never be allowed. I don't like wearing suits, but if I had to be in his place I would definitely wear a tuxedo like decent maestros do anywhere in the world. House rules should be respected by all. This is not rock ‘n roll you know. Speaking of rock, I have a question for you ��" do you like the band Nirvana? I do and I think the song title "All Apologies" is very appropriate to use here and now. Last week I wrote about a wonderful gala concert and I made two mistakes. Frankly, I wouldn't have noticed if it wasn't for my friend Michael Ghali, who sent me saying that the concert reviewed was on a Monday and not a Tuesday as I wrote. Sorry for that ��" this is apology number one. I also called "Au Fond du Temple Saint", from Bizet's "Les Pêcheurs de Perles", an aria when in fact it is a duet. I apologise once again. Ladies and gentlemen, I stand corrected. Send me your sweatshirts to: [email protected]
