Recitals by tenor, chamber groups and Three Plucked Strings

Young Belgian tenor Bartholomeus de Kegel sang at an invitational recital Monday at the Makati residence of Ambassador Christian and Gul Tanghe. De Kegel instantly captivated the select audience not only because of his engaging personality and good looks – these always contribute to the total impression, a recital being both an auditory and visual experience – but also because, and more importantly, of his marvelous vocal equipment and expressivity.

His voice, fresh, rich and powerful, was always fully controlled; he could sing with booming force or in filigree, whispery, long-sustained pianissimos. Lyrical and romantic, the songs were predominantly of love and nature, replete with flowing melodic lines which the tenor underscored exquisitely. This was particularly true of Schumann’s pieces.

Except for the first, Two Infantry Men which was rendered in a brisk, robust, military fashion, the rest bore such titles (translation supplied) as Evening at the beach, Snowdrops, Arrival of spring, Lotus flower, What shall I say? and Your face. The dramatic Belsazar conveyed poignancy and passion, De Kegel expressing these with intensity.

Schumann’s songs are not as spontaneous as those of Schubert. On the other hand, they are more reflective and more profoundly moving and De Kegel interpreted them in an expansive, exuberant manner. The singer’s legato was impeccable, his dynamics uncommonly wide in range.

The Belgian pieces by Joseph Ryelandt were a real test of the tenor’s musicianship, assimilating as they do various styles – those of Wagner, Franck, Fauré and Debussy. Their overall effect was compelling, with De Kegel infusing fine nuances into The Horns, Melancholy and I don’t hear them yet.

Three romantic Italian songs by Tosti – A vuchella, Aprile and Non t’amo piu – opened the program; his Ideale and L’ultima canzone closed it. The initial numbers already indicated the power of the singer’s voice, his command of it and his refined artistry; the last two reaffirmed these qualities magnificently.

De Kegel’s recital was a preview of his performance at the ongoing Bamboo Organ Festival in Las Piñas where some of our leading singers are participating.

Concert pianist Jonathan Coo was assisting artist, and the rapport he established with the visiting tenor was smooth and seamless. His two solo pieces, Schumann’s Dedication and In the night, showed most impressive technical skill and expressional resources.

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Paco Cemetery was the original burial place of Rizal’s remains; later, these were transferred to the Luneta where they now lie underneath the Rizal monument.

In 1981, the German Embassy through Ambassador Wolfgang Eger transformed Paco Cemetery into Paco Park for musical performances. Since then, every Friday of February is dedicated to programs wherein German composers are interpreted by Filipino artists; occasionally, Filipino composers are interpreted by German musicians.

For the current Phil-German interaction, a chamber music recital held on the third Friday at Paco Park featured violin virtuoso Oscar Yatco, legendary pianist Nena del Rosario Villanueva and MCO Conductor-horn player Rodel Colmenar in Brahms’s Trio in E-flat major for piano, violin and horn.

The work is not too familiar to many; further, although Colmenar could be our best horn player, his wind instrument does not easily blend with the sounds of the piano and the violin.

Nevertheless, the trio delineated the various movements of the tightly-structured work, each player doing so with utmost care and authority, and technical brilliance.

Yatco led the second number, Mozart’s Quintet for clarinet and strings in A major, with the outstanding Ariel Sta. Ana on the clarinet; Mary Grace Martinez, violin 2; Ivan Saraza, viola; Geronimo Velasco, cello.

Yatco’s robust and luminous tones opened the theme and melody of the first movement, the Allegro, with the plucked strings of Velasco’s cello surfacing as accompaniment. Sta. Ana’s soothing clarinet introduced the theme for the second movement, the Larghetto, the violins, viola and cello initially providing lush strains in the background, then actively joining as equal partners.

An exquisite interaction then ensued between the clarinet and strings for the charming, delightful Menuetto, and the lively, spirited Alegretto. How consistently and eloquently delineated throughout were the melodious themes!

German Ambassador Herbert and Michelline Jess headed the Paco Park audience.

Yesterday in the same venue, visiting German cellist Claus Kannigiesser performed with concert pianist Greg Zuniega as assisting artist. On Sunday, the cellist will play Haydn’s Concerto in D major with the Peace Philharmonic (formerly the Cebu Youth Orchestra distinguished pianist. Ingrid Santamaria, organized).

The eminent cellist will give a recital in Boys’ Town, Talisay, Cebu with Ingrid Santamaria as assisting artist, as well as in Girls’ Town of the Sisters of Mary in Sta. Mesa.

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The Three Plucked Strings of Israel, consisting of Avi Avital on the mandolin, Yuval Avital on the guitar and Yizhav Karshon on the harpsichord (all graduates of the Jerusalem Music Academy) played in the first International Rondalla Festival in Bicol and at the CCP.

The Three Plucked Strings has an interesting origin. In 2000, a copy of Sonata a tre was found in the Israel National Library archives. Written in 1968 by composer Paul Ben-Haim, the piece for mandolin, guitar and harpsichord was restored and prepared for a world premiere.

The aforementioned instrumentalists were brought together for the purpose. With its unique and unusual melody, Sonata a tre debuted in Tel Aviv in May of 2001.