Pianist Ingrid, flutist Ray / A 'surprised' Sr. Anunciata/ Pianists Echaus, Viaje

Pianist Ingrid Santamaria and flutist Ray Sison have been performing for some time now in MM and the provinces. They were recently presented in recital by Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco at the RCBC Plaza, with dinner following.

In the opening number, Mozart’s Sonata in C Major, Sison seemed rather wanting in the sparkling, playful spirit characteristic of the composer. But as the recital progressed, he gained momentum, infusing more zest into the ensuing Arioso and Siciliano by Bach who might have been regarded a romantic rather than a classic composer judging by his long, beautifully flowing melodic lines.

Tambourine by F. J. Gossec was appropriately energetic, and The Swan from Saint Saens’ “Carnival of the Animals” rekindled the listener’s fondness and appreciation for the oft-performed, highly descriptive composition which Sison eloquently etched.

The Irish Londonderry Air, as familiar as Elgar’s Salut d’ Amour and Franck’s Allegro from his Sonata in D Minor further demonstrated the polished, refined, remarkable technique of Sison, most particularly in the infinite, complex and totally challenging variations of the Fantasie Brillante on themes from Bizet’s Carmen by F. Borne, and in the no less daunting La Ronde des Lutins by A. Bazzini.

How was Santamaria as assisting artist? She was more than Sison’s equal or partner, exhibiting her long-admired skill and artistic sensitivity, flair and élan.

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Sr. Ana Anunciata, well-loved music dean of St. Paul University, Manila, was amused no end when she received an invitation to a “surprise” musical honoring her on her own birthday. The good, gentle nun could no longer pretend to be surprised when musical artists — identified jestingly by the emcee as either close friends or relatives of Sr. Anunciata — participated in a “surprise” program. Tenor Ramon Acoymo’s power and passion were highly impressive as he sang “Climb Every Mountain” from the musical The Sound of Music and F. Santiago’s Madaling Araw.

Tenor George Yang, “the late bloomer” who entered the operatic realm comparatively recently, held his own assuredly in “No Other Love”, this based on a Chopin piece, and Amapola. Violinist Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata sent shivers down the spine as he interpreted Massenet’s Meditation from Thais, his tones luminous, his bowing masterly. His manner, to use the words of the poet Keats, was “beautiful exceedingly”.

The characteristically unassuming piano virtuoso Raul Sunico, who served as assisting artist for the above performers, played Buhat by Mike Velarde whose composition is relatively too easy for Sunico’s fantasic fingers.

The program was a pleasant mix of professionals and amateurs, the latter represented by two scholars of Yang’s “Klassikal Music Foundation”, Elaine Vibal and Carl Trazo, who delightfully sang Ang Dalagang Pilipina. The St. Paul U. Choral, with the spontaneous participation of distinguished pianist Jonathan Coo, rendered “All the Things You Are” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.

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Marguerite M. Echaus, SSC piano alumna and eminent faculty member of the Vancouver Academy of Music, recently performed with her peers in a duo concert of works by Poulenc, Brahms, Bizet, Ravel, Milhaud, Rachmaninoff, Gershwin and Saint-Saens.

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The brilliant 17-year old pianist Elielle Viaje, on her third year in Vienna’s Praynor Conservatory, gave a mini-recital at the residence of Willie and Anna Pamplona under the auspices of the Food and Wine Society.

Elielle played formidable works by Liszt, Chopin and Debussy, conveying power and a firm grasp of each composer’s style. Beyond doubt, with her tremendous promise, Elielle will join the international scene in due time. In 2007, she represented Austria in the Children’s Festival “Joy of Europe” in Belgrade, Serbia.

On Sunday, Aug. 23 at 3 p.m., Elielle will give a full-length recital in St. Joseph Theater, La Salle, Greenhills. For tickets, call 912-2365.