Friday, June 14, 2013

Orchestre des Champs-Élysée (Printemps Français 2013): A Heart-warming Evening in Bandung

It was raining all day long but it paid by this enchanted evening by Orchestre des Champs-Élysée.

Just for your information, Bandung is struck by r ain almost everyday in this June. I really don't know why this happened but I kinda hate it. On, 13th June 2013, the rain poured down a bit heavy though. It almost ruined my plan to watch this spectacular orchestra, Orchestre des Champs-Élysée. They came all along to Bandung for the Printemps Français 2013 held by IFI. So, thank you IFI for kindness to bring one of the well -known orchestra not only in France but also in the world. LOL.

Glance of Orchestre des Champs-Élysée.
The Orchestre des Champs-Elysées is devoted to the performance of music written from the mid XVIII to the early XX centuries (Haydn-Mahler) played on the instruments that existed during the composer's lifetime.
The orchestra was formed in 1991 as an iniative together from Alain Durel, Director of Théâtre des Champs-Élysée and Philippe Herreweghe. For several years, the Orchestra has been in residence at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris and the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels, performed in almost all the major concert halls such as the Musikverein (Vienna), the Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), the Barbican Centre (London), Alter Oper (Frankfurt), the Philharmonic Halls in Berlin and Munich, the Gewandhaus (Leipzig), the Lincoln Center (New York), Parco della Musica (Rome) and the Auditoriums of Dijon and Lucerne. The orchestra also toured Japan, Corea, China and Australia and South America.
Philippe Herreweghe is the artistic director and principal conductor, but the orchestra played under several guest conductors, among them Daniel Harding, Christian Zacharias, Louis Langrée, Christophe Coin, and René Jacobs.
The Orchestre des Champs-Elysées feels passionately about offering an innovative approach to music and therefore, at each one of its concerts it offers the possibility of public rehearsals, conferences, or meetings and workshops with classes of school children.
They will be in Asia turn from May 31 ! Program for the famous Mozart Requiem and symphonies 38,40 and 41.

The Stage

I came to the Concert Hall, Auditorium RRI Bandung, about 19.15 and it's really crowded. I don't know what to say whereas the rain was pouring down. Waiting about 15 to 20 minutes, the committee opened the gate and without further notice, all of the people went it right away. I and Celine, my Cello, jumped in to the queue line and hoped for a good place. I sat on the right side of the stage.

This concert was a live show from RRI Radio. I really don't know the RRI channel. Therefore, I felt really lucky buying the ticket.


The Programs for the lovely night.
H. J. Rigel (Allemagne, 1741-1799)
Symphonie no 10 en ré m op. 21 no 2

W. A. Mozart (Allemagne, 1756-1791)
Concerto pour clarinette en la M K. 622

W. A. Mozart
Symphonie no 40 en sol m K. 550



The concert was opened by the repertoire from Rigel, a composer from Classical Era. The movements were so dynamics and thrilling. In addition, the instruments were authentically came from the Classical Era. It added more quality in their performance especially in the sound. Not being conduct by a conductor from the front but the concertmaster, Alessandro Moccia, didn't make their performances messy. It was necessary to play without the conductor in the front. The conductor played within the orchestra in that era. He was standing for the whole repertoire and playing with the 1st violin. Alessandro Moccia gave his best movement to lead and gave signals to the players.


The Concertmaster, Alessandro Moccia

The second repertoar they played that night is from the infamous Mozart. It was a concerto for clarinet. The clarinetist was Nicola Boud, an female Australian-born clarinetist. With his light brown satin gown, she looks gorgeous. She was in full concentration and a little bit nervous, I think, but she could overcome with it. All of his nervousness were paid by the standing ovation after the opus has been played. All of the audiences were so amazed. She used a clarinet from the Classical Era, so the shape is not exactly looks like nowadays.

Nicola Boud, the clarinetist

The last repertoire played in the concert was the symphony no 40 in G minor by Mozart. It was a famous composition from Mozart especially the 1st movement. In this repertoire, you could fell a joy air blowing from the orchestra. Really a perfect closing for the audiences. Made your heart full of joy and a warm lullaby for your sleep even if it was raining.

The standing ovation was not stopped. The audiences asked for more. The concertmaster was really confused to give an encore or not. But he couldn't resist the ambience. They played an encore to fulfill all the audiences' excitement. The confusion from Alessandro was about the Contrabass because the Contrabasses had to be in Jakarta by 01.00 AM. So, they played the encore without the Contrabasses. They closed the concert really well. It was their first performance in Indonesia but they really kicked it especially in Bandung. Salute to Orchestre des Champs-Élysée. Please come again to warm our heart again.

 After Indonesia, they will go Vietnam afterwards for this Mozart Tour.

Closing Act

P.S. Printemps Français 2013 didn't stop here. There will be a closing in Paris Van Java IFI Bandung (Jl. Purnawarman no.32) on 21st June 2013. They called it "La fête de la Musique". The artist will be Naive New Beaters. Want to see their performances? Just come to PVJ IFI Bandung and enjoy it. It's F-R-E-E!!

"You can't play a symphony alone, it takes an orchestra to play it."
-Navjot Singh Sidhu-

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