Golez asserts his place among top young pianists/Forthcoming concerts

The concert “Hands” at the De la Salle Zobel School Theater in Alabang featured pianist Rudolf P. Golez interpreting Saint-Saens’ Concerto in G Minor and Rachmaninoff’s Concerto in C Minor,  with Herminigildo Ranera conducting the UST Symphony Orchestra.

Ranera opened the program with Strauss’ familiar “Overture to The Bat”.The jaunty spirit and infectiously brisk dance tempo which Ranera established were instantly relayed by the young orchestra members, as also his affecting brio and lilting accents in the enchantingly melodious piece.

Golez compelled attention immediately, conveying Saint-Saens charm, elegance and grace as he fascinatingly combined technical strength and moving sensitivity. The pianist’s innate musicality, intelligence and thorough training made every movement a delight.

Rapport between pianist and baton wielder was impeccable, flawless, seamless, the former’s mind and spirit in close communion with those of the latter.

The C Minor is the most frequently performed of Rachmaninoff’s concertos, with the third movement serving as inspiration for the popular song “Full Moon and Empty Arms”. But setting that trivia aside, the concerto is massive, magnificent, monumental. The mighty chords repeated in the long piano introduction grow in sonority, while the strings, coming in cohesively, break the tension. The second theme is dramatically extensive and complex; the second movement, hauntingly beautiful, contains a brief cadenza which Golez played with stunning brilliance. The rhapsodic third movement brought out, more than the previous two, the virtuosity of the soloist who, with increasing intensity, concluded it in a flaming, fiery climax.

Ranera kept the strings (muted or otherwise), woodwinds and horns in tight control while full, expressive volumes erupted in the tuttis. Again, there was the closest ensemble work, pianist and orchestra beginning or ending together with exact, unerring precision.

Golez rendered every passage with panache. Each note was crystalline clear, each run, swift and smooth; each chord, majestic. Further, he delineated the essence and design of the music in all its grandeur and nobility, triumphantly asserting his place among today’s leading young pianists.

To the standing ovation, he responded with Schumann’s “Dedication” (Widmung) and a Chopin Etude, each rendition eloquently reflecting the composer’s style.

Golez generously performed to benefit the Association of St. John Ma. Vianney and the St. James the Great Parish Foundation headed by Josephine H. Sobrepeña.

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The Intramuros Administration headed by Ana Maria “Bambi” Harper will present Canciones del Folklore Filipino en Español on Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. in Casa Blanca, Plaza San Luis Complex, Intramuros.

The folk songs with Spanish lyrics emerged in different parts of the country, circa 1850s to 1890s. The songs, prefaced with a brief background by Raul Sunico, were first heard at the Instituto Cervantes, and reviewed by me. They will again be interpreted by the UST Conservatory faculty: Dean Sunico, pianist, tenor Lemuel de la Cruz, sopranos Nenen Espina and Naomi Sison and guitarist Ruben Reyes. Directors-researchers of Tawid Publications are Evelyn F. Cabanban and Melissa Y. Moran.

On National Heroes Day Aug. 30, 3:30 p.m., the Filipino Heritage Festival and the Mariño Clan of Taal, Batangas, will honor Marcela Mariño Agoncillo, maker of the first Filipino flag, with a concert featuring pianist Ingrid Santamaria, flutist Ray O. Sison, violinist Gina Medina, soprano Cynthia Guico, baritone Lionel Guico and pianist Tony Pastor, Venue: the Escuela Pia Taal Cultural Center.

On Sept. 1, 6:30 p.m., at the UP Abelardo Hall pianists Pia Margarita Balasico and Jose Artemio Panganiban III will give a duo recital.

On Sept. 10, at 6 p.m., classical guitarist Alvin Salenga of the UST Conservatory will give a concert at the GSIS Museum of Arts. Admission is free but donations are welcome for Salenga’s pursuit of an MM degree at the Royal Welsh College of Music, Cardiff, Wales.