Worthy of attention

On Nov. 19, 8 p.m. at the CCP main theater, acclaimed Russian pianist Katya Grineva will perform in a benefit concert with the PPO under Russian conductor David Harutyunyan. Guest artist is Filipino soprano Joanna Go.

Katya, who started studying piano at six, attended the Moscow Conservatory under Pavel Messner. She began giving recitals and experiencing the “special and spontaneous” interaction between pianist and audience. NY’s Mannes School of Music awarded her a scholarship under Nina Svetlanova and private tutoring with Vladja Mashke. Katya made her debut at NY’s Carnegie Hall in 1998, later appearing as soloist with orchestras in America and Europe.

A graduate of British Columbia Opera Performance program in Vancouver, Go has been soloist with the Clarion Chamber Ensemble, Singapore Philharmonic Orchestra, and has essayed various operatic roles here and abroad.

On Nov. 22, from 4 to 7 p.m., the College of the Holy Spirit Alumnae Foundation headed by Thelma E. Gana will hold a tribute to Fernando Amorsolo who did stained glass window paintings over 70 years ago for the college.

Tenor Lorenzo, composer-pianist, will sing kundimans and classical favorites.

On Nov. 23, 7 p.m. at the “UST Symphony Orchestra in Concert”, Ariel Sta. Ana will conduct, with harpist Lourdes de Leon Gregorio, flutist Eric Barcelo and contrabass player Ariston Payte III performing. The program: Rimsky-Korsakov’s Russian Easter Overture, Dittersdorf’s Concerto for Contrabass, Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp, and Tschaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.

On Nov. 25 at 7 p.m., Israeli Ambassador Zvi Vapni and Mrs. Limor Vapni will present at their residence Israeli musician-singer Tal Kravitz. “Tal has been wandering for years, researching and searching for music, in various remote areas throughout the world. From every point in his journeys, he brings back songs, sounds, rare instruments and the living stories behind them.”

Tal, a graduate of the School of Choir Conducting in the Israeli Conservatory, also took up classical singing. He has studied ethnic music and the songs of various cultures at Bar Ilan U.

On Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. and Dec. 2 (gala) 7:30 p.m., the Gilopez Kabayao Foundation will present the highly-gifted 17-year old violinist Jimmy Tagala, Jr. in a solo recital at the Philamlife auditorium.

After the resounding success of Jimmy’s debut last year playing two challenging violin concertos by Beethoven and Khachaturian, his mentor, virtuoso Gilopez Kabayao, feels he is ready for a solo recital.

Jimmy will play Bach’s Chaconne from the Sonata in D Minor, Beethoven’s Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano in D Major, Ysaye’s Sonata No. 4 for Solo Violin, Paganini’s Caprices Nos. 1 and 23, Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy and Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy.

Jimmy’s younger brother Daniel, 15, will be guest cellist in the fourth movement of Mendelssohn’s Trio in D Minor for Violin, Piano and Cello. The brothers won NAMCYA first prizes in the same year.

Winning in NAMCYA contests since he was 13, Jimmy at 15 was the youngest among the 100-member Asian Youth Orchestra during its 2006 tour.

The Dec. 1 matinee is meant for music students from both public and private schools.

Eminent pianist Corazon Pineda Kabayao will be the assisting artist.

In “Bravo España!” Dec. 5 at the CCP main theater, eminent Spanish Maestro Cristobal Halfter will conduct the PPO in Spanish masterpieces. Also performing are the Madrigal Singers and outstanding pianist Rudolf Golez.

Cultural entrepreneur Martin Lopez will present his 8th “Come to the Stable” Christmas benefit concert on Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m. featuring baritones Josefeo Logdat, John Ocampos, Lawrence Jatayna and Marvin Gayroma. Venue: White House, Santolan Road. The White Cross child-caring agency will welcome donations.