PPP musicians attend "Third Cellists Concert" in Japan

As a member of the Peace Philharmonic Philippines (PPP), I and my fellow musician, Jibbie Rose Reyes, were very lucky to be able to attend the International Cello Congress held last May 16 to 22 in the Hyogo Prefecture of Kobe, Japan. I am an AB Music student of the University of San Carlos (USC).

There was an impressive array of 1,000 cello performers, professionals and non-professionals alike, assembled from all over the world. They all shared the joy for cello music and imparted a love for this instrument to the next generations, along with a ringing declaration of the cello's unique potential to realize global peace. The congress was a gathering of the world's top cello players coming from chamber and orchestral groups. Among the big names of those who attended the congress were: Mstislav Rostropovich, Janos Starker, Bernard Greenhouse, Rudolf Weinsheimer and Toshiaki Hayashi.

The idea of bringing the musicians together was the product of the musical genius of a German Cellist, Rudolf Weinsheimer. He and three fellow cello players founded a cello quartet in 1966. In 1972, MR. Weinsheimer and his colleagues founded the "12 Cellist of the Berlin Philharmonker" and in 1990, gave a private concert at the palace of the Japanese emperor in Tokyo. After attending the concert, the imperial couple was trilled about the idea of holding a 1,000-cellist concert. In 1994, Mr. Weinsheimer met with Prince Takamado, also a good cellist, and the latter promised patronage for such a concert. By chance, Mr. Weinsheimer met a brilliant organizer, musician and cook. He, too, was enthusiastic about having a 1,000-cellist concert.

Mr. Takumi Matsumoto worked hard and in November 29, 1998, the first 1,000 cellist concert actually took place. It was a benefit concert for the victims of the 1995 earthquake in Kobe. Kobe was a fitting venue for this landmark concert in terms of its own dynamic and creative rebirth from the tragic earthquake. Mr. Matsumoto organized the second concert in 2001 and that year turned out to be a top cello concert.

Among the highlights of the 2005 seven-day cello congress were lectures, master classes, clinics for young cellists, cello ensemble salon, mini-concerts and the culminating activity, the third 1000 cello concert held in the Kobe World Hall last May 22. The program showcased such pieces as Sonata No. 5 by Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741), Sonfonietta for Violoncello (world premiere) by S. Saegusa (1829-1898), Hymnus by Julius Klengel, Op. 57 (1859-1933), Suite by David Funck (1630-1690) and Passacaglia by G.LF. Handel (1685-1759).

These were conducted by Maestro Naoto Otomo, principal conductor of the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra on the first half of the program. The second part consisted of: Frates by Arvo Peart, Hamlet Ballad (commissioned world premiere) by Rodin Shschedrin, and Hymne by Charles Davidoff (1839-1889) as conducted by the world renowned cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, a recipient of the London Times "World Greatest Living Musician" award.

Our trip was made possible through the sponsorship and collaboration of Mr. Masatomo Toyoda and PPP President Susan Mr. Sala, Prof. Toyoda, cello, was connected with the PPP faculty from 1996-1999. He was a volunteer of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) as facilitated by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA). Prof. Toyoda also sponsored in 2001 the attendance in the "Second 1000 Cellist Congress" of two PPP cellists, Doris Malaque and Jibbie Rose Reyes (this is the second time for her to attend the congress). Also welcoming the two musicians in Kobe were Mr. Masayuki Nishimura, cello; Ms. Satomi Dambara, French horn and Ms. Ai Iwamoto, French horn, all former JICA-JOCV volunteers and members of the SPSFI faculty.

Indeed, it was a very momentous concert. The cello festival again proved that the love for music, specifically the cello as an instrument (a glorious instrument capable of expressing the full range of human emotions being lyrical, melodious and soothing, yet strong and powerful, celebrating man's fortitude and courage while echoing a quiet paean to peace and harmony), can contribute to the understanding and unity traversing borders and cultures to attain peaceful coexistence and friendship among the peoples of the world.