Sunico's awesome feat

The frequency of Raul Sunico’s concerts here and abroad might lead one to wonder how the acclaimed international pianist manages his time while also serving as enterprising dean of the UST Conservatory.

At his latest engagement at St. Paul U., Manila, Fleur-de Lis Theater, his program — entirely new — consisted, for the first part of Rachmaninoff’s 12 Preludes. The opening, Op. 2 in C Sharp Minor, was the most familiar, all contained brilliant virtuoso passages, and the third to the last, Op. 23 in G Minor, and the final one, Op. 23 in B Flat, were diabolically daunting.

In typical manner, Sunico interpreted the Preludes with panache, with brio and bravura while creating his known massive densities, lush tones and tremendous chordal sounds. Most of the preludes suggested such forms as the etude, prelude and nocturne.

Being predominantly heavy in texture and expansive in treatment, they called to mind towering cathedrals and their tolling chimes, cavernous caves, thick, impenetrable foliage, deep and unfathomable seas. In brief, vast frescoes. Sunico drew these images through artistic sensitivity combined with formidable technique.

Notwithstanding, these preludes may have been viewed as “miniature dramas that lead to programmatic interpretation”.

In any case, Rachmaninoff once declared, “I try to make my music speak simply and directly that which is in my mind at the time I am composing. If there is love there, or bitterness, or sadness, or religion, these moods become part of my music, and it becomes either beautiful, or bitter, or sad, or religious.”

To my mind, the Preludes evoked sadness and profound religious feeling.

As often described, most of Liszt’s music is sound and fury, signifying nothing. However, the composer’s terrifying technical devices often present a daunting challenge to the skills of an audacious interpreter, which challenge is reason enough for him to take. Moreover, musicologists aver that as one of the exceptions, Liszt’s  Sonnettos di Petrarca “treat the musical ideas poetically and perceptively”.

Soiree de Vienne was a characteristic Lisztian transcription of a distinguished earlier composer, Schubert in this instance. In the finale, Liszt’s Sonata après une lecture du Dante, Sunico proved himself a dazzling star of the local firmament of pianists, his virtuosity leaving the audience awed and astonished.

The encore, Liszt’s Liebestraum (Dream of Love), provided a lasting impression of exquisite lyricism surfacing exquisitely.

At this point, let me quote one-liners from reviews which Sunico’s concerts abroad have garnered:

“Well-developed technique . . . there was always a sense of genuine personal involvement in the music at hand.” — New York Times — New York, USA

“A rising star, a brilliant pianist.” — WNCN Radio — New York, USA

“. . . a pianist of incredible talent.” — Vancouver Courier — Vancouver, Canada

“. . . a presentation full of dynamism and passion.”— Le Depeche — Midi Pyrenes, France

“He has shown a marvelous predisposition and technical know-how, as well as a tremendous scale of expression and rich colouristic palette.” — Glos Szczecinski — Szczecin, Poland

“. . . showed his full brilliant efficiency with precise technique, sensitive interpretation and dynamics.”— St. Poltner Zeitung — Herzogenburg, Austria

“Impressive skill . . . played full of expression, one could almost say he sang it through the piano.” — Badener Zeitung — Baden, Austria

“At time, one had the impression of listening to a symphony orchestra, and not a piano.” — Kurier — Szczecin, Poland

“Sunico’s performance on the pianoforte had grace and poetry . . . clear fingerwork . . . stupendous technique.” — The Statesman — New Delhi

“An inspiring debut . . . easily the best Chopin we have heard this season.” — The Independent — Bombay

At Sunico’s St. Paul U. concert, HE Apostolic Nuncio Msgr. Edward Joseph Adams, UK Ambassador Peter and Jill Beckingham, Doña Soledad Arias, wife of Spanish Ambassador Luis Arias, honored the pianist with their presence.

Ingrid Sta. Maria and Jonathan Coo came to applaud, as did music patron, the former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos, and tenor George Yang.

Dean Sr. Anunciata Sta. Ana and Ms. SPU Alumnae President Wynna Medina welcomed the special guests.