Two brilliant soloists / Cayabyab’s new musical / Two photo exhibitions

After the series of concerts by the brilliant young instrumentalists of ‘French Spring’, our own brilliant young artists – cellist Victor Michael Coo and Pianist Oliver Salonga – left their own tremendous impact on the audience at Sunday’s concert at the Philamlife auditorium. (The adjective "brilliant" might seem over-used here, but it is richly deserved by the two proudly Filipino soloists, both of whom are prize-winners in international music competitions.)

Salonga and Coo made their debut with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra under the equally young conductor Rodel Colmenar, the pianist interpreting Liszt’s Concert No. 2 in A Major; the cellist, Dvorak’s Concerto in B Minor.

Salonga was in total command of the Concerto’s six unified sections (which took the place of movements), playing these without interruption. The dialogue between piano and orchestra reached several thunderous peaks while the pianist conveyed pounding chords, fluid runs, a strong, agile left hand, and great power in the octaves which covered the entire keyboard. He showed acute sensitivity, too, in the melodic lines.

The solo passages for oboe and flute were rendered exceedingly well, proving the high quality of the orchestral performance. The consistently close interaction reached a climax in the furious finale with the sweeping glissandos of the piano complemented by the tumultuous tuttis of the orchestra.

The fireworks were characteristically Lisztian, propelled and inspired by the composer’s own incredible gifts as pianist. In the rendition of these pyrotechnics, Salonga’s skill was never wanting. The Concerto is a virtuoso piece, and Salonga’s manner was virtuosic.

The prolonged ovation that ensued was rewarded with two more pieces (one by Chopin) and the clamor would have persisted had not the pianist begged of from another encore.

Dvorak’s Concerto in B Minor, doubtless a major work in the cello repertoire, is one of the most frequently performed. Victor Michael Coo showed his astonishing skill in both the luminosity, resonance and robustness of his tones and in the vigor, exuberance and vitality of his playing.

The sparkling, virtuosic arpeggios in the upper register were in dramatic contrast with the flowing pianissimos. While the woodwinds soared quietly and the trumpets blared triumphantly, the cello pulsated in the varied themes and moods, Coo masterfully manipulating his instrument in the most complex, intricate passages without missing a beat as he meticulously followed Colmenar’s baton.

The flute, trumpets, clarinets and bassoon played both the dramatic and lyrical with elan. After the cello rendered electrifying passages of extended length, the orchestra ended these with an overwhelming climax.

After the loud, lusty acclaim, Coo stunned listeners with a long, challenging, unaccompanied Bach Prelude played with dazzling precision and verve.

The program opened with an orchestral interpretation of Redentor Romero’s "Philippine Portraits", a medley of native folk songs. After intermission, Colmenar conducted Lucio San Pedro’s Lahing Kayumanggi which had an impressive handling of the brasses, and occasionally powerful, magisterial touches.

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Ryan Cayabyab, one of the country’s most versatile composers, has written the songs for the new Marian musical "Mapaghimalang Birhen ng Caysasay" (The Miraculous Virgin of Caysasay) which will be staged at the CCP Little Theater from July 7 to 10 under the direction of Nestor U. Torre, Jr. who wrote the script.

The musical will be a reunion of Batangueños who are involved in the production. Ryan’s late mother came from Batangas. Ramon Orlina, acclaimed glass sculptor, is the show’s executive producer. Not the least, Cocoy Laurel, who shares the lead role of Haybing with Ogie Alcasid, belongs to the prominent Laurel family of Tanauan, Batangas.

Orlina says the musical is a tribute to Our Lady of Caysasay who, for four centuries, has been the spiritual helpmeet of the residents of Taal, Batangas, and environs. He hopes the show will help spread devotion to Our Lady who, through her intercession, has been credited with many miraculous cures that have been documented through the years.

One of the most celebrated cures, highlighted in the musical, revolves around Haybing, a Chinese stonemason who was brought back from the dead after having been decapitated during the Sangley uprising in the 16th century.

Haybing will be portrayed by Cocoy Laurel and Ogie Alcasid who will share the stage with Celeste Legaspi, Tommy Abuel, Joy de Castro, Lou Veloso, Cheloy Dans, Lita Marasigan and Nicole Dano.

The players will depict the story, set in modern times, of a family returning home to pray for a healing. The female protagonist is a teenager who will make young audiences relate to the tradition surrounding the Virgin. The teenager, who is skeptical of the miraculous powers of the Virgin, is taken back in time to witness the dramatic events that gave birth to the tradition 400 years ago.

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The San Agustin Museum curated by Fr. Pedro Galende will open on June 22 a rare photo exhibit entitled "Sailors, Monks and Church Builders". The event, which marks the 400th anniversary of the construction of San Agustin Church, will pay tribute to the thousands of missionaries who contributed to its greatness.

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Currently on exhibit through June 30 at the Alliance Francaise (headed by Philippe Normand), jointly with the French Embassy, are Maxime Acker’s photographs of his installations, sculptures and videos. The exhibit extends beyond the AF walls and reaches the garden of the building in the form of para-terrestrial cocoons made of plastic.

Also on display are his land art photography exhibited earlier in Europe along with what he created in Palawan, Mindoro and Baguio. Acker fuses together industrial and natural materials (metal, aluminum with stones, trees) to create site installations captured in photographs.