Doubtless a highlight, Bach’s Concerto in D Minor featured German Angelo Bard and Alfonso "Coke" Bolipata  violinists of exceptional caliber, with eminent pianist-composer Fr. Manuel Maramba on the harpsichord, and the PPO String Ensemble under Conductor Josefino "Chino" Toledo.
The violin soloists interacted marvelously, the ensemble providing fluid, eloquent accompaniment. In the exquisite lyrical excursion, Bolipata and Bard exchanged energetic thrusts against the smooth flow of the strings and continuo.
The opening Catalan Carol (Carol of the Birds) had Renato Lucas, one of our finest cellists, presaging with his excellent performance the high quality of the entire concert. Willy Cruz’s Sana’y Maghintay ang Walang Hanggan (ar. Ed Nepomuceno) had its beautiful melodic lines profoundly expressed by Bolipata, Rachelle Alcances, violins I and II; Joy Allan dela Cruz, viola, and Lucas, cello.
The UST Guitar Quartet rendered the avant-garde Baiao de Gude by P. Bellinati; the UST Guitar Ensemble, Barrios-Mangore’s Danza Paraguaya, both groups conveying verve and precision.
Another highlight was Barber’s Adagio for Strings, its melody in wondrously constant ebb and flow. With Toledo in masterful control of the PPO String Ensemble, the listener admired the composer’s design  the music being built on a single melodic idea  his economy of means and above all, his gift for flowing lyrical lines, the work reaching a compelling climax and subsiding as quietly as it began.
Young French guitarist Thibault Cauvin exhibited singular virtuosity in Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra in D Major, with the PPO under Toledo, and even more arresting virtuousity in the rapid, complex Koyumbaba by Mario Domeniconi, the work’s vigor and lushness alternating with swift strokes on single strings, thus demanding tremendous dexterity from the guitarist.
Still another high point was Bartok’s Romanian Folk Dances whose interpretation by violinist Bard was characterized by intense passion. Pianist Mary Anne Espina gave distinctively impeccable assistance.
The Cainta Los Trobadores Rondalla under Lino Mangandi rendered Vivaldi’s "Spring" from The Four Seasons, with surprising panache coming from the predominantly young instrumentalists, one of whom, prior to the piece, nimbly played "We Sing Mabuhay".
Leading soprano Rachelle Gerodias lent welcome diversion, her pure, glorious voice rising with superbly controlled dynamics and artistic sensitivity in the Cantilena from Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5.
The program ended with Buencamino’s delightfully and deftly played Pizzicato Caprice, Copland’s descriptive Hoe Down and Imagine: A Beatles Medley by Lenon/McCartney as arranged by Toledo, this underscoring the mix of classic and pop. In the three numbers, Toledo conducted all the participating string orchestras and ensembles to produce massive, cohesive sounds.
The concert gave ample opportunity for the strings to take center stage as they demonstrated widely-ranging talent and enormously varied idioms.
Ballet Philippines performed a pas de deux; Pan darted here and there throughout. Dancers were Biag Gaongen, Carissa Adea and David Russo.
The show tended to be overlong, but the audience in general lustily applauded Chris Millado brilliantly stage directed, Ricardo Cruz’s set was elegant and imaginative; the versatile Dennis Marasigan served as lighting designer. CCP president Nes Jardin thanked the PNB Paribas Bank which sponsored the concert for CCP’s benefit.
Outstanding young pianist Rudolf Golez, prizewinner in the 1st Asean International Chopin Piano Tilt in Kuala Lumpur in 2004, will give a not-to-be-missed all-Liszt concert at the F. Santiago Hall on March 29 at 7:30 p.m. Rudolf studied in NY’s Juilliard School under Seymour Lipkin, one of Cecile Licad’s mentors, and obtained an MA degree at the UP College of Music under Jovianni Emmanuel Cruz.