The Lebanese National Youth Orchestra, conducted by Karim Said, during its concert on June 17 at the Armenian Evangelical Church of Qantari. (Photo: Nabil Ismail)
The National Youth Orchestra of Lebanon, under the underwhelming baton of Karim Said at the Armenian Evangelical Church of Qantari, opened its concert with an excellent rendition of the Lebanese national anthem. This was the most successful piece of the evening.This opening promised the best. However, the rest of the program proved less convincing. First, with works by three composers from the Renaissance period, madrigals transcribed for brass instruments. Between each piece, some musicians changed places and chairs, as in the game we used to play as children: musical chairs. As for Mozart’s "Eine kleine Nachtmusik," it was so “little” that one sometimes wondered if Mozart had composed a sketch rather than a masterpiece.But to play Mozart, even the simplest in appearance — and God knows that is the most perilous for performers...
The National Youth Orchestra of Lebanon, under the underwhelming baton of Karim Said at the Armenian Evangelical Church of Qantari, opened its concert with an excellent rendition of the Lebanese national anthem. This was the most successful piece of the evening.This opening promised the best. However, the rest of the program proved less convincing. First, with works by three composers from the Renaissance period, madrigals transcribed for brass instruments. Between each piece, some musicians changed places and chairs, as in the game we used to play as children: musical chairs. As for Mozart’s "Eine kleine Nachtmusik," it was so “little” that one sometimes wondered if Mozart had composed a sketch rather than a masterpiece.But to play Mozart, even the simplest in appearance — and God knows that is the most perilous for...
