Romantic music Journey/ The Sarazas/Performances

Eminent pianists Ingrid Sala Santamaria and Reynaldo Reyes started their 14th Romantic Concerto Journey (RPCJ) June 25 in Malaysia, continuing it in the Philippines, and ending it Aug. 6 with a rousing standing ovation at the Ateneo U. after Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor.

The engagement, which wrapped up a total of 273 RPCJ concerts in bi-annual tours in seven years, received “a truly moving reception; it was a fitting finale,” commented Ingrid, recipient of the French Chevalier des Palmes Academiques and the Chevalier de l ’Ordre National du Merite.

This year’s tour began with a concert and masterclass at the Malaysia U. and at the embassy residence of German Ambassador Herbert Jess in Malaysia. “It was our first attempt to bring classical music to its public schools, and the reception was very encouraging. It was the fourth concert in three years at the Kuala Lumpur embassy residence, and it was heartwarming to feel and see our music blending cultures and galvanizing ASEAN relationships,” Ingrid added.

In Metro Manila, the duo gave concerts at F. Santiago Hall, Luneta Park, the Philippine HS for the Arts, the UST, the PWU, two at Sta. Isabel College, Miriam College, and Ateneo U., one in Eissing Piano Studio in Alabang, six concertos in a single night at Manila Polo Club’s Turf Room, two concertos at the German embassy residence, and in the J. Romero and Associates offices.

The provincial tour included three concerts at St. Paul U., one at Silliman U., St. Scholastica’s College in Bacolod, St. Theresita Academy in Silay, the Central Philippines Adventist Academy in Murcia, Neg. Occ., Cebu’s Marcelo Fernan Press Center Auditorium and Mandaue City School for the Arts.

At the open forums, non-musicians learned about the art of piano-playing, especially the interpretation of piano concertos, the ideal practice hours for pianists, where  they derive inspiration, and whether a piano career can begin at five or 50!

Reynaldo, graduate of the Paris Conservatory and winner of the Premiere Prix in the Long Thibaud international competition, gained converts by asserting that classical music produces more brain cells than rock music, thus making listeners of the former more intelligent.

The Saraza brothers — Diomedes Jr., 16, and Maurice Ivan, 24, both violinists, played Sunday at St. Cecilia’s Hall, St. Scholastica College in whose music department, headed by Dean Sr. Mary Placid Abejo, they  both trained before leaving for New York, studying there for the last two years, and winning prizes in various contests and participating in festivals.

Sunday’s concert offered standard favorites. Diomedes interpreted an adaptation of “God Save the King/Queen” (UK’s national anthem), a virtuoso piece Paganini fashioned to suit his awesome skill, and Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in F Sharp Minor  which, although not as intricate as Paganini’s craft, is daunting, nevertheless. This was accompanied by the Manila Symphony Orchestra under Prof. Arturo Molina.

Frank’s Sonata in A Major was a vibrant, tingling partnership between Maurice Ivan and the brilliant pianist Greg Zuniega whose brio, flair and élan shone. Ivan concluded the program with Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor with MSO’s support under Molina who triumphantly guided the orchestra through the movements, distinctly etching one from the other, each section spiritedly responding to the soothingly lyrical and the intensely dramatic, with the final tuttis leading to a stirring climax.

Both brothers played expressively with striking technical facility; their cadenzas were arresting. While they are still honing their highly uncommon skills with fervid diligence, they will presumably join the ranks of virtuosos Gilopez Kabayao, Coke Bolipata and Joseph Esmilla in due time.

Performing tonight: Clara Ramona’s Centro de Danza Flamenca in “Tablao Flamenco!”, 8 p.m. at Spotlight, 2257 Chino Roces Ave., Makati/Young pianists Regina Montesclaros and Noree Paula Tan Ngo with the UST Symphony Orchestra under Herminigildo Ranera, 7 p.m., F. Santiago Hall/Baritone Noel Azcona with pianist Mary Anne Espina, Philamlife Theater, 8 p.m.