MANILA, Philippines - The St. Joseph Parish Church in Las Piñas City is home to the famous Bamboo Organ, praised worldwide for its unique, rare and melodious sound. A bamboo organ festival is held annually at the parish during the month of February.
Now in its 34th year, the International Bamboo Organ Festival kicked off on Feb. 19 to mark the bicentennial of the death of composer Franz Joseph Haydn, and the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Las Piñas Boys Choir.
The celebration featured performances by Austrian artists Christian Iwan, organist; Franziska Hammer-Drexel, soprano; Mark Anthony Carpio, counter tenor; Ervin Notes Lumauag, tenor, Eudenice Palaruan, baritone; organist Alejandro Consolacion II; and the Festival Orchestra under the baton of conductor Armando Salarza.
The festival traditionally sets aside one evening for less serious musical fare. “Concert at the Trees,” which featured Rivermaya, was one of the best-attended evenings in the festival.
“An Evening of Organ Music” will be held today with guest artist Christian Iwan, organist of the Cathedral in Eisenstadt where Haydn was once based.
The Philippine-Korean Friendship Night is slated on Feb. 24 with organist Yang-Hee Yun, baritone Seong-kyu Lim, and the AILM Chorale conducted by Joshibiah de Juan, to celebrate 60 years of Philippine-Korean friendship and cooperation.
Works composed by National Artists for Music Lucio D. San Pedro and Lucrecia R. Kasilag will be performed in “Pagpupugay” on Feb. 25.
“Pagpupugay” is a tribute to National Artists for Music Lucio D. San Pedro and Lucrecia R. Kasilag with performances of their works on Feb. 25. A new composition by Alejandro D. Consolacion II for oboe and organ will be premiered on the same night, with Franz Ramirez on oboe, and the composer on the Bamboo Organ. They will be joined by the UE Chorale conducted by Anna Abeleda Piquiero.
Guest organist Dr. Johann Trummer will perform two organ concertos by George Frideric Handel, whose 250th death anniversary we are also marking this year, in “Lauda” slated from Feb. 26 to 27.
Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate and Handel’s Laudate Pueri will be performed by soprano Franziska Hammer-Drexler as soloist with the UE Chorale and the Festival Orchestra conducted by Eudenice Palaruan.
This year’s festival is presented by the Bamboo Organ Foundation, Inc., in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Department of Tourism, Senate president Manuel B. Villar Jr., Congresswoman Cynthia A. Villar, Mayor Vergel Aguilar and the City Government of Las Piñas, Bishop Jesse E. Mercado, and the Diocese of Parañaque, the 60th Year of Phil-Korean Diplomatic Relations Committee, San Miguel Brewery Inc., Bote Central–Serenity Coffee. Sponsors are Via Mare, Lamoiyan Corporation, Menzi Trust Fund, Inc., Diego Cera Organbuilders, Inc., OOCL, Meralco, Marilag Corporation, BDO, Astro Import and Export Corporation, Riguera Realty and Development Corporation, Novellino Wines, Pagcor, GSIS, Landbank of the Philippines, Cablelink, BPI, EDF Concession and Trading Services, Inc., Pamatec, A.O. Infinite Trading, Innovative Educational Materials, Inc., Royal Air Charter Services, Inc., Ige Ramos Design Studio, Boss Printing, Arzen Studio and the sustaining members of the Foundation.
For inquiries, call 510-3839, 825-7190 or e-mail bambooorganfoundation@yahoo.com.