Sunico: Compleat pianist/Wagi: A terrific show

The word “compleat” comes from the English essayist Isaac Walton who described himself as the “compleat angler”. The amazingly versatile, compleat Raul Sunico, pianist-arranger-composer, is thoroughly conversant with Broadway and Tin Pan Alley songs, kundimans and classic compositions — all of which he interpreted at a concert in Manila Polo Club’s Turf Room. A group led by Jul Dizon had decided to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a dinner topped by music built around the theme of love.

Only candles illuminated the Turf Room while the stage glittered in the dark with tiny light bulbs, thus creating a truly romantic ambiance. The predominantly female audience revelled at Sunico’s “heavenly” renditions of such popular songs as All the Things You Are, Stranger in Paradise, and so on. The kundimans struck a chord in the hearts of the listeners for Sunico’s warmth and sensitivity of expression, after which they were completely awed by his mastery of the romantic classics: Liszt’s Liebestraum (Dream of Love), Chopin’s Etude in E and Nocturne in E Flat, Rubinstein’s Romance and the finale, Chopin’s virtuoso piece Polonaise in A Flat whose melody, is the basis for the song hit “Till the End of Time”.

That Sunico used no score was not to be compared to his 2003 world feat of performing Rachmaninoff’s four concertos in one single evening without a score. A further proof of Sunico as compleat pianist is his formidable program for Feb. 22 at the Fleur-de-lis auditorium: Chopin’s Polonaise Fantasie, Nocturne in F Sharp and Polonaise in F Sharp, Grieg’s Nocturne, Respighi’s Notturno, Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C Sharp, Prelude in G, Liebeslied and Sonata No. 2 in B Flat.

Apropos, nobody can explain how Sunico, with all his engagements, manages to serve as dean of the UST Conservatory which is now much more active since he took over!

In Wagi, Filipino popular entertainers, who repeatedly won in world competitions, performed at the CCP main theater and what a terrific show they staged! The combination of pop and classic was fantastically gratifying.

Outstanding were Dulce who sang Memory, Jed Madela (2005 World Champion, Burbank, Hollywood) who rendered The Impossible Dream, the Philippine Allstars whose show-stopping precision dancing was absolutely riveting, the Madrigals who demonstrated how and why they keep garnering international awards. Ballroom dancer-medalists in the 24th SE Asian Games DanceSport — Judith Anne Melencio-Renato Rener, Mercado Dearlie Gerodias-John Erolle Melencio, and Maira Rosete-Emmanuel Reyes – were excellent: light-footed, graceful, arrestingly agile.

The very young Aria Clemente — she can’t be more than 12 — could be the next Lea Salonga. She is 2007 World Champion, Performing Arts, Los Angeles, US. In her singing of Don’t Rain on My Parade, she exhibited striking poise assurance, vocal and acting talent. Other distinguished singers were Reuben Laurente, Reymond Sajor and countertenor Mark Anthony Carpio, soloist in Ryan Cayabyab’s Gloria from Misa 2000.

Not to be overlooked was Cayabyab himself, music director-conductor-pianist who assisted many of the singers, who wielded the baton over the spirited Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, and whose many song compositions and orchestration of Paraiso and the finale Hallelujah dominated Wagi. Further, Cayabyab was the show’s pivotal figure, his commentaries holding the diverse numbers together.

Completing the ensemble were the KJWAN consisting of three guitarists and a pianist-percussionist — his music was rather ear-splitting — the UE Chorale, Coro de Sta. Cecilia, Novo Concertante, Sta. Teresita Parish Chorale and the Mandaluyong Children’s Choir. Together, the choirs created massive, cohesive, stirring sounds.

Alexander Cortez was Wagi’s director; Floy Quintos, writer; Monino Duque, lighting designer. The heavy shower of glittering confetti celebrated Filipino talent which, given the opportunity, is second to none — as Wagi illustrated.

Internationally acclaimed conductor Helen Quach, violinist Coke Bolipata and the MSO will perform Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. Bel-Air Park III. Free admission.