Japan-Phil duo concert / US presents RP artists / Lacoste 12.12 project

Two women – the slim and pretty Japanese violinist Reiko Otami, and our own legendary pianist, the equally slim and pretty Nena R. Villanueva – interpreted at the CCP main theater a formidable widely diverse program of sonatas that started with Mozart’s in E Minor and ended with Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20. In-between were Brahms’ Sonata No. 2 in A Major, E. Ysaye’s Sonata No. 6 in E Major for Violin Solo, Hika by Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu, and Debussy’s Claire de Lune.

The opening passages of the Mozart Sonata were structured in such a manner that the piano tended to overpower the violin, but for the rest of the piece, Reiko brilliantly asserted herself, with Nena assisting in similarly brilliant fashion. The interaction was close, the impeccable rapport, in fact, characterizing the entire performance.

Reiko’s long, flowing pianissimo lines were particularly exquisite in Claire de Lune and in the slow movements – Moderato and Un peu plus lento – of Sarasate’s composition, the pianissimo lines dramatically contrasting with the swift, fiery Allegro which evoked the furious, frenzied Gypsy dance Czardas. Reiko’s virtuosity was starkly evident in the diabolically demanding piece, Nena admirably keeping pace.

The violinist was as much at home in the classic (romantic) sonata by Brahms as she was in the complex piece for violin also by E. Yasaye and in the avant-garde, criss-crossing atonalities of Takemitsu, her astonishing skill hurdling the challenging technical devices with ease, assurance and aplomb.

Nena responded with her own masterful, marvelously expressive and refined.

The fervid applause and cries of "Bravo!" were rewarded with Kreisler’s Sohorosmarin and Vallejo’s Habanera Filipina No. 2 – both well-loved, familiar works.

Special guests were Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki and his wife Noriko, and embassy officials headed by Ms. Taniguchi.

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US Chargé d’Affaires and Mrs. Darryl Johnson hosted at the embassy residence a mini-concert featuring UST Music Conservatory talents Raul Sunico, internationally acclaimed pianist and conservatory dean, soprano Rachelle Gerodias, tenor Lemuel de la Cruz and the UST Brass Quintet.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Johnson said that since the death of David Pearl, a Wall Street reporter who was murdered by terrorists in Karachi in 2002, Daniel Pearl Music Days commemorates the event and "uses the power of music to bring people together in celebration of cross-cultural understanding and tolerance."

The UST Brass Quintet, consisting of students Raymond Agtarap and Mark Francis Almeria, trumpets; Linwell Lalic, French horn; Dennis Quilicot, trombone, and Ron Jacob Gaan, tuba, regaled listeners with classic music, e.g., Bizet’s Toreador Song arranged by W. Barnes, and Khatchaturian’s Sabre Dance arranged by V. Gatmaitan, and popular music e.g., the Beatles Medley which includes the song Yesterday.

Brasses are most unwieldy instruments but the students performed with enthusiasm, energy and spirit. In due time, they will surely acquire even more polish and brio.

The evening’s busiest artist was Raul Sunico who served as excellent assisting artist to the singers and performed as soloist. In dazzling virtuoso fashion, he interpreted Rachmaninoff’s ponderous, desolate and melancholy Prelude in C Sharp Minor and Ravel’s highly descriptive Jeux d’Eau with its subtle evocation of fountains, cascading rivers, streams and flowing water, climaxing these with Gershwin’s symbolic symphonic jazz Rhapsody in Blue, originally written for piano and orchestra.

Sunico captured and conveyed its syncopated rhythmic patterns and nervous energy, his massive chords, swift runs and trills stupefying the audience. Through his tremendous power, each note remained clear despite the spine-tingling densities of sound he produced.

Lyric soprano Rachelle Gerodias superbly demonstrated vocal agility, a wide range and astounding control of dynamics: A fortissimo line would suddenly turn pianissimo then revert to fortissimo. Mussetta’s aria Quando Men Vo from the opera La Boheme by Puccini, Velez’s Sa Kabukiran (with its coloratura pyrotechnics) and Gerswhin’s Summertime from the Opera Porgy and Bess reflected sensitive artistry, finely nuanced expression and delicate refinement.

Lemuel de la Cruz gave vigorous, exuberant interpretations of Iyo Kailan Pa Man by Peña and Granada by Lara. Libiamo, the drinking song from Verdi’s opera Traviata, and the folk song Katakataka were rendered with charming rapture by Gerodias and with driving force by De la Cruz.

As a concession to American taste, Summertime and Rhapsody in Blue were played, and the program now closed with still another concession, Tonight, a song from Bernstein’s musical West Side Story, this rendered by all participants, a delightful ending to a thoroughly enchanting program.

Present were NCCA chairman Ambet Ocampo, CCP President Nestor Jardin, Doreen Yu, Arturo and Tessie Luz, Ingrid Sta. Maria, Chito and Anna Sobrepeña, Cards and Amelita Guevara, Embassy officials Deputy and Mrs. Paul Jones, Bruce Armstrong and Rebekah Dramé, among others.

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On Oct. 27 at the Makati Shangri-La lobby lounge, the Lacoste 12.12 Project exhibition will display original creations by Napoleon Abueva, Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Lor Calma, Ed Calma, Jean M. Goulbourn, Jun de Leon, Jojie Lloren, Arturo Luz, Warner Manning, Francisco Manosa, Anton Mendoza, Josie Natori, Sharon Cuneta, Impy Pilapil, Efren "Bata" Reyes, Sandy Romualdez, Lea Salonga, Inno Sotto, Hindy Tantoco, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Tomas Zita Jr. and Jaime Zobel de Ayala.