Concert Review by Emlyn S. Ponce MuPC 10 O

1. The Romantic Rachmaninoff – August 7, 2015, Meralco Theater

A concert that showcased Aima Labra Makk, piano, Gerphil Flores, soprano, and the Metro Manila Concert Orchestra under the baton of Prof. Josefino Toledo. The evening featured works of Rachmaninoff like the Scherzo, which appeared like a showpiece for orchestra, and of course, his second piano concerto, which unfortunately, was not satisfying for me because of the unpolished playing and hard to follow change of tempos insisted by the soloist.

2. Tikladong Hirang – September 24, 2015, Abelardo Hall Auditorium

As a celebration of the 99th year of the College of Music of the University of the Philippines Diliman, a concert was held featuring Filipino composers, Abelardo, Santiago, Cornejo, Hernandez and their respective works for piano and orchestra. The soloists are our very own faculties from Piano Department who amazed the audience not only with their superb techniques, but also with heartfelt musicality. One of the night’s highlights is the work Tikladong Hirang, a composition for five pianos and orchestra by Prof. Toledo which is also like a medley of different works from Filipino composers. The well-played orchestra is the College of Music Festival Orchestra, which consisted of students, alumni, and faculties of the university.

3. Romeo and Juliet – October 3, 2015, Aliw Theater

A ballet by Prokofiev based on Shakespeare’s masterpiece was presented by Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s Ballet Manila with choreography by Paul Vasterling, the artistic director and CEO of Nashville Ballet USA, with music by the Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Alexander Vikulov. As it was my first time to watch classical ballet, I was more than satisfied that evening. The music enhanced the emotions that the dancers were portraying, and along with the very colorful costuming, my eyes and ears were very pleased.

4. Sounds of Sorrow – October 11, 2015, CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo

An evening of performance by the University of Santo Tomas’ Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Prof. Renato Lucas, played various works from the Romantic Period. The main work for the evening was Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet fantasy-overture. With the massive orchestra, I expected too much especially on the strings section who were usually overpowered by the brasses on many fortissimo passages. And for a venue at the CCP, the increase and drops in dynamics should be dramatic and well-supported by the hall’s acoustics, but it was not very effective back then.

5. Young Artists’ Series – November 5, 2015, Ayala Museum

Presented by the Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation, this recital featured violist, Rey Casey Concepcion, with assisting artist, Greg Zuniga, on the piano. The repertoire showcasing the instrument is wide, varying from Bach Suite No. 1 to Brahms Sonata No. 2. I was impressed with the full tones of the violist even on pianissimo level, and the fiery passionate lines that were only disturbed by a noisy pianist.

6. Likha-Likas: Reconfiguring Music, Nature, and Myth – November 9, 2015, Abelardo Hall Auditorium

As Philippines being the host for the 33rd Asian Composers’ League Festival, new works for chamber ensembles by composers from inside and outside of the country were featured played by Grupo 20/21. It was very kind of them to give out program notes as some of the pieces were really beyond my understanding. But as the pieces are challenging, I commend the players for accomplishing this kind of performance. As far as I know, no one made ulpot or got lost with their pieces.