A sterling performance by Spanish classical guitarist Rafael Serrallet during his chamber concert with the MPO leaves the audience enchanted, writes Aref Omar
SPAIN’S national musical instrument — the guitar — was the centrepiece of the evening concert. In the capable hands of Valencian classical guitarist Rafael Serrallet, the delicate and warm timbre of the wooden instrument filled the Petronas Philharmonic Hall like a soothing Mediterranean breeze.
Although billed as a chamber concert, the first half of the 80-minute musical event had Serrallet seated solely in the middle onstage coaxing out strains of Spanish favourites.
Starting with Cadiz, Sevilla and Granada, three of the eight pieces from Isaac Albeniz’s classic Suite Espanola, the accomplished guitarist displayed a tender touch in translating the works, originally composed for the piano.
Named after three major cities from Spain’s southern region of Andalusia, the pieces showcased the rhythms and melodies derived from Spanish folk music.
This was followed by Francisco Tarrega’s Capricho Arabe (Traviata Fantasy), which had elements of opera, and Joaquin Rodrigo’s Invocation And Dance, as well as En los trigales.
Like a caring parent, or a thoughtful lover, Serrallet hunched over his guitar and cradled it with love, as his facial expressions mirrored the emotive sounds that emanated from his six-stringed instrument.
It was an intimate performance with the succession of notes varying between louder passages and, the more often, softer intricacies that the pieces demanded.
The silent ambience of the hall, where a dropped pin would have been heard, was conducive in highlighting the subtle textures and dynamics of his performance (even his breathing sounds and sudden foot taps added to the feel).
Sporadic coughs, sneezes and shuffling feet from audience members that punctuated his performances were the only downside to this setting but thankfully didn’t distract too much from the magic happening onstage.
Things naturally got louder when members of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra joined Serrallet onstage.
The repertoire was also varied at this point beginning with Quartet No. 4 in D Major by Luigi Boccherini, an Italian composer who spent much of his career in Spain.
Featuring rhythmic figures of the Spanish fandango dance, it was a lively piece with a fuller sound.
This was followed by the works of two Argentinian composers, Carlos Guastavino (Las Presencias No.6 Jeromita Linares) and Astor Piazzolla (Oblivion).
The 10 MPO chamber players, made up of violin, viola, cello, double bass and castanet players, were impressive in their performances.
An uplifting and romantic mood was felt when the ensemble played in unison, with the fluttery violins and moving strains of the cello contributing immensely to the atmosphere.
But Serrallet’s guitar seemed to be drowned in the beautiful texture of sounds at times.
Only during the solo passages or duets were where the guitar could find breathing space and shine through with its intricacies.
Although the music of Guastavino and Piazzolla were ably delivered and a joy to listen to, the intimacy of Serrallet’s performance was a little missed. Perhaps more amplification from the guitar’s microphone and better mixing would have enhanced the experience of Serrallet’s chamber performance.
After thanking everyone involved in the concert and the audience for their support and attendance, Serrallet ended the night with a romantic gesture by dedicating his encore performance to his fiancee Anna, an English woman based here.
“She is the true reason I’m in Malaysia. She fulfills my life, has inspired me and made me a better man,” he said warmly in a typical Spanish accent.
The concert was jointly presented by the MPO, the Embassy of Spain and Instituto Cervantes.
Those who missed the concert can look forward to another performance with the MPO proper this October, where Serrallet will render Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez.