A piano foursome’s resounding success / Thank you letter to GMA

"Show of Hands", the benefit concert held at the Philamlife auditorium for the benefit of the College of the Holy Spirit, was a resounding success. The inspired "hands" belonged to the internationally-acclaimed Raul Sunico, the outstanding Dom Manuel P. Maramba, OSB, and the highly accomplished sisters Amelita Dayrit Guevara and Carmen Dayrit Padilla, both CHS alumnae.

Familiar, well-loved compositions made up the program: Smetana’s Sonata in One Movement featuring all four pianists, with Sunico and Maramba playing on Piano 1 (with the open lid), and the sisters on Piano II; Milhaud’s Scaramouche and Filipino Medley, with Sunico on Piano I, Maramba on Piano II; Fantasy on the Theme of Bizet’s Carmen, played by all four, with Sunico and Maramba on Piano I, the sisters on Piano II; Chopin’s Valse in E Minor (arranged by H. Zipper) and Dark Eyes (arranged by G. Stone) with Amelita on Piano I, Carmen on Piano II.

The evening was climaxed by Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody which is often rendered as an orchestral or piano solo piece, or a work for four pianists on two pianos, as interpreted that evening, with Sunico (Primo) and Maramba (Secondo) on Piano I, Amelita (Primo) and Carmen (Secondo) on Piano II.

The concert of romantic, 19th and 20th century and contemporary music proved engaging, entertaining and compelling.

Although Milhaud hesitated publishing his Suite for two solo pianos, it gained popular appeal. The composer later adapted it for saxophone, for clarinet and for orchestra, and today, it is most often played in its orchestral and two-piano versions. (The two other movements were omitted that evening.)

The pounding, vigorous, vibrant rhythms were sustained throughout by Sunico and Maramba. Here, and later, in the Polvetsian Dances, Sunico could not disguise his phenomenal memory: the score before him was merely a token one: he never read it or turned its pages.

The Filipino Medley of folk songs and kundimans, arranged by Sunico was the program’s most lyrical portion, its exquisite melodies and rich, heavily textured harmonies so smoothly and expressively interpreted by the pianists.

Many peaks of excitement were reached; e.g., in the Fantasy on Carmen, the four pianists rendered some enthralling arias, with the orchestral accompaniment converted into a powerful, fascinating four-hand piano version.

The intertwining and interweaving of Chopin’s Valse with Dark Eyes was utterly clever and charming, and the sisters, on separate pianos, played as one with polish and refinement while infusing the piece with a lively, vibrant spirit.

The opening number, Smetana’s Sonata in One Movement, performed by eight hands, was a preview of the throbbing excitement the finale, Liszt’s Rhapsody, would generate. The electrifying, thundering chords of Maramba and Sunico’s running bravura passages were complemented by the rippling sounds from Amelita and Carmen. As the four gave their collective force, energy and skill midway and in the concluding portion, the piece drew such rousing applause that it led to an encore: Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in G Minor, Op. 23, No. 5.

Heading the audience were CHS alumnae Rosie Osmeña Valencia and her daughter Mariza del Rosario. The Rev. Bishop Federico Escaler delivered the invocation; Cynthia Picazo and Cecile Valmonte, first and second vice-president, respectively, of the CHS Alumnae Foundation, gave introductory remarks. Pianist Carmen Padilla is Foundation president.

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CSB-Filipinescas Dance Co.
Ben-Lor building, QC

H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President of the Philippines
Malacañang Palace

Excellency:

May we express our profound gratitude and appreciation for the tribute Your Excellency paid our mother, the late National Artist in Dance Leonor Orosa Goquingco, which tribute was read by Presidential Adviser on Culture Cecile Guidote Alvarez during the recent necrological service at the CCP auditorium.

We particularly value your recognition of Mrs. Goquingco as the Mother of Philippine Dance Theater, and for quoting Nick Joaquin’s conclusion that "Tomorrow’s Philippine dancers will be especially indebted to Leonor Orosa who showed how Philippine dance can express the drama of our lives and who created the mold in which it is now presented."

Your Excellency’s encouragement of the Filipinescas Dance Company and its partnership with De la Salle College of St. Benilde will give lively impetus to the Philippine dance movement, particularly to its young dancers, to carry on Mrs. Goquingco’s legacy which Your Excellency describes as "the seeds of creativity through the propagation of our distinct Philippine culture".

Till the very end, Mrs. Goquingco, our mother, was exhorting us to pray for Your Excellency’s welfare and for that of our country.

Very respectfully yours,

Benjamin Goquingco Jr.
Artistic Director
Regina Goquingco Felipe
Artistic Consultant

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All Thursdays of August, Goethe Institut Manila will exhibit classic German silent movies directed by Fritz Lang at the SM Megamall, Cinema 6 at 8 p.m. Admission is free.

National Artist in Painting Arturo R. Luz opened his first sculptural exhibit at the Ayala Museum yesterday. The show ends August 31.

"Glimpses of His Glory," a painting exhibit by Lucy Vergara Fernando at the Ayala Museum, closes this Friday, August 5.

Ivi Avellana Cosio’s "Tableaux/Photos" at Le Soufflé ends Aug. 9.

Ballet Philippines’ "Men and Women" will be staged Aug. 5 and 6 at the CCP main theater, 8 p.m.

Tomorrow, Aug. 4, Raul Sunico will play with Della Besa, Annie de Guzman and Mary Ann Armovit in "Quadrille" at the F. Santiago Hall.