Unique Approach to Baroque (Sunday People)

First published in New Straits Times, Sunday People

17 November 2007

Unique Approach to Baroque

The works of baroque composers are given a new spin in the capable hands of flautist Emmanuel Pahud and the Berlin Baroque Soloists. MAX KOH writes

 

Award winner Emmanuel Pahud

EMMANUEL Pahud is a celebrated flautist who plays with the prestigious Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. He’s also a solo artist and the only flautist in the world to have a solo recording contract with a major record company (EMI) and was named the “Instrumentalist of the Year” at the Victoire de la Musique Award, Paris in 1997.

Known for his versatility, musicality and extraordinary technique, he recently wowed the audience at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) by playing selected baroque pieces from composers Vivaldi, Pisendel, Bach, and Telemann. 

Pahud was accompanied by the Berlin Baroque Soloists, a 14-member-ensemble comprising members of the renowned Berlin Orchestra. 

Led by director Rainer Kussmaul, the ensemble has a unique approach to the music of the 1600s and 1700s by using old bows of different periods on old but modernised instruments. It is said to capture the true essence of the work, as one could imagine it being heard within the castle walls centuries ago. 

With such a winning combination, one could expect nothing short of magic during their debut performance at the DFP. 

On the first night, Pahud and the Soloists performed an all-Vivaldi repertoire, rendering flawlessly the Concerto grosso in D minor, Concerto in Viola d’amore in D and Concerto for Flute in G minor “La Notte”. 

Pahud soared above the wonderful waves of melodies created by the esteemed ensemble. The soloists were no less remarkable. 

The next evening saw the two artistes perform selected pieces such as Pisendel’s Sonata in C minor, Telemann’s Concerto Ripieno in E flat, Viola Concerto in G, Concerto for Transverse Flute in D and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.5 in D, Concerto for Flute, Violin and Harpsicord & Strings in A minor. 

Pahud first picked up a musical instrument when he heard music coming from his neighbour. 

“At that time, I asked my mother ‘what is that sound?’. When I found out that it was Mozart’s Flute Concerto No. 1, I fell in love with it immediately,” he says. 

Pahud was five years old then. The following year, he studied music in Rome under the tutelage of Francois Binet, then in Brussels with Michel Moinil and Carlos Bruneel and in Basel with Peter-Lukas Graf. 

However, his first instrument was not the flute. “I actually first learned the violin. My brother, on the other hand, took up the viola. However, I soon feel in love with the sound of the flute and took up the instrument. My brother on the other hand, continued to play the violin. But today, he’s an engineer,” says Pahud, laughing at the recollection. 

His passion for music soon led him to the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Paris, where he graduated with the Premier Prix in 1990. He then continued his studies with Aurele Nicolet, a world-renowned flautist and teacher. 

Pahud has won first prizes in many major competitions. In 1992, he won eight out of the 12 prizes at the international music competitions of Geneva and Kobe in 1989 and Duino in 1988. He also took the Soloist’s Prize in the Community Radio Awards in Switzerland, and the European Council’s Juventus Prize. 

At 22, Pahud made history when he was appointed the youngest principal flute of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Before that he held the same position with the Basle Radio Symphony. By then, Pahud was the only flautist in the world to have a contract with a major recording company, EMI. 

His debut CD, the Complete Mozart Concertos For Flute And For Flute And Harp With The Berlin Philharmonic And Claudio Abbado, was released in 1997 and earned the Diapason’s “CD Of The Year” Fono-Forum award, and the “Geijitsu” award from the Japanese recording industry. His other acclaimed recordings include Flotenmusik and a recital disc of French works with Eric Le Sage. 

Although this is his first time performing in Malaysia, it is not his first time with the BBS. 

“We have been playing with each other, even before the inception of the BBS 12 years ago,” explains BBS director Kussmaul. “We would, from time to time, feature Pahud as our special guest when performing around the world.” 

Adds Pahud: “On the average, soloists would play 40-50 concerts. However, I believe that we’ve played more than 80 in the last six months. You can say we practically live on stage. 

“I guess that is how much I love music and performing. It is in my blood. Whether solo or with an orchestra, I suppose I’ll love doing this until the day I die.” 

And it is this magical collaboration between the Soloists and Pahud that has brought the works of the baroque composers to life. It’s amazing how they managed to lend a unique and inimitable tone to each piece. And how music of the old world is relived within the walls of our hall.