Casals/String virtuosos

The Instituto Cervantes headed by Director Jose R. Rodriguez presented a tribute to Spanish Pablo Casals which featured leading instrumentalists cellist Renato Lucas and pianist Nena R. Villanueva at the Salon de Actos. Illness prevented me from attending the event.

Casals was one of the greatest cellists of the 20th century, with Gregor Piatigorsky sharing the honors. Piatigorsky performed at St. Cecilia’s Hall before the martial law regime under the auspices of Impresario Alfredo Lozano. At present, the greatest living cellist, to my mind, is Mstislav Rostropowich who played at the CCP main theater during the martial law regime.

Herewith are excerpts of a review written by Olin Downes, New York Times music critic, of Casals’ performance with the New York Symphony in January of 1924.

"Pablo Casals appeared with the New York Symphony Orchestra, Walter Damrosch conductor, yesterday afternoon in Aeolian Hall. The fact is mentioned at once, although the appearance of a soloist at an orchestral concert seldom calls for a leading position in a report of it. Yesterday, however, Mr. Casals’s performance became the central feature of the occasion. He played the Boccherini Cello Concerto in B flat, which, with the possible exception of the slow movement, is not more nor particularly less distinguished than other of this composer’s work for stringed instruments. But Mr. Casals glorified the music, as he would have glorified a composition much inferior, by his style and consummate musicianship. He was more than a soloist. His performance rose to the dignity and value almost of an enduring work of art. It held something for every listener to find beauty in and to learn from and to remember. After the concerto, audience and orchestra acclaimed the interpreter. It is not often that an artist reaches the heights attained by Mr. Casals in seasons past, yet continues to grow."

The rest of the review was devoted to the orchestral interpretation of Glazounoff’s Fifth Symphony.

Other major events

On Friday, March 9, the CCP under the sponsorship of BNP Paribas headed by CEO Claude Haberer will present "Virtuoso Strings". It will feature two of the country’s most outstanding string instrumentalists, violinist Alfonso "Coke" Bolipata and cellist Renato Lucas, and leading soprano Rachelle Gerodias.

Acclaimed foreign artists, German violinist Angelo Bard and French classical guitarist Thibault Cauvin, will also perform along with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under Eugene Castillo, the Metro Manila Community Orchestra under Chino Toledo and the UST Symphony Orchestra under Herminigildo Ranera.

Other participants are the UST Guitar Ensemble and the Guitar Quartet led by Prof. Ruben Reyes, The Cainta Los Trobadores Rondalla, pianist Mary Ann Espina and Ballet Philippines. Cris Millado is stage director.

The fascinating program will combine classic compositions (e.g., Bach’s Concerto in D Minor for two violins, strings and continuo) and popular (e.g., a medley of Beatles songs arranged by top composer Chino Toledo). Works of European, American and Filipino composers including Willy Cruz will enhance the variety and diversity of the unusual mix.

According to CCP President Nes Jardin, proceeds will go to CCP’s many projects, as well as its outreach programs.

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On Saturday at 7:30 p.m., folk singer Joey Ayala will render some of his compositions inspired by the poems of Spanish poet Miguel Hernandez. Ayala discovered Hernandez in 2004, and immediately fell in love with his poems which led him to compose the songs he will sing.

The event will be held at the Salon de Actos, Instituto Cervantes. Entrance is free.

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One would assume that Raphael, the son of bass-baritone Emmanuel Gregorio and pianist harpist Lourdes de Leon Gregorio, will pursue a musical career. But no. Raphael’s one-man painting exhibition "Pendulum of Time" opened at the CCP Pasilyo Vicente Manansala and will end April 15.

Last Sunday’s memorial concert honored Dr. Alfonso Roda, one of the founders of the Adventist U. Eminent concert pianist Ingrid Sta. Maria was guest artist. The program included Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, with the Adventist U. Orchestra assisting. Distinguished pianist Jonathan Coo conducted, Rodney Abriol and Haydee Cerna also participated.