Auspicious Wagner concert/Music events: here, abroad

An auspicious and ambitious all-Wagner concert was presented as a “Tribute to the Thomasian” by the UST Symphony Orchestra under conductor Herminigildo Ranera at the CCP main theater. I say “ambitious” because Wagner is described by eminent musicologist Ernest Newman as “the greatest opera composer”, further, Wagner created the first music drama and the most distinctive leitmotivs.

The Bayreuth Festival continues to immortalize Wagner’s works, and mighty Maestro Oscar C. Yatco was its concertmaster for five consecutive years, begging off from further invitations.

The UST Symphony Orchestra played the overture to Rienzi, regarded the weakest of Wagner’s operas, the Prelude to Die Meistersinger, two arias from The Flying Dutchman with bass Jun Francis Jarantilla as soloist, the Pilgrim’s Chorus from Tannhauser and the Norwegian Sailors’ Chorus from The Flying Dutchman, with the Conservatory Male Chorus providing a highlight with its vigorous, tightly-knit, sensitive performance. Jarantilla’s delineation was eloquently and movingly emotive though his voice seemed rather wanting in power.

Followed the Overture to the Flying Dutchman, Joyfully we Greet the Noble Hall from Tannhauser, the Bridal Chorus and Elsa’s Procession, both from Lohengrin. (Incidentally, the Bridal Procession is standard at local weddings.)

Wagner’s music is replete with long, massive, surging dramatic lines. At best, it is overwhelming; at worst, occasionally bombastic. The youthful Orchestra was efficient, competent, highly disciplined under Ranera. Initially, it rather lacked dynamism but gathered momentum as the program progressed.

Another highlight was the impeccable, seamless playing of the eight trumpeters in Lohengrin. The white-uniformed female singers occasionally grated on the ear with their somewhat shrill timber. But the towering, climactic ending of the joint choirs and orchestra did justice to Wagner’s tremendous music, with immense credit to Ranera and choir masters Eugene de los Santos, Ronan Ferrer and Nenen Espina.

The musical Coos

Pianist Jonathan Coo, after attending the wedding of his eminent cellist brother Victor to Taiwanese pianist Ya-Hsin, played in the Phil-American Symphony Orchestra debut at the Beverly Hills Wilshire Theater. Jonathan’s sister Cecilia served as concertmaster. Fil-American Robert Schoeder conducted.

Elected to the board of the newly-formed Koro Filipino-Philippine Choral Guild, Jonathan was again asked to serve the Piano Teachers Guild.

The Koro held a concert which featured the Manila Chamber Singers, Mapua Concert Singers, Musicainta, Servi Domini, Novacoustic, Alay Himig and Echoes of 24/7.

Koro Filipino is the only organization that presents barangay, church, community, school and corporate choirs, thus lifting the choristers’ morale.

German int’l tilt now open

The Allgemeiner Rundfunk Deutschlands (ARD) invites participants to its 59th International Music Competition in Munich, Germany, set for Aug. 22 to Sept. 10, 2010.

Musicians born between 1981 to 1993 who play the violin, cello, flute, French horn or piano are eligible participants.

First prize is Euro 10,000 and invitations to give concerts. Euro 7,500 and 5,000 go to the second and third prize winners. All applications must be sent on or before April 30, 2010. For further information and copies of the registration form, e-mail the CCP Music Division at [email protected].

Llangollen Int’l Eisteddfod

The Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod invites choirs, solo singers and folk dance groups to the Llangollen, UK event from July 5 to 11, 2010.

Choirs placing first in the Mixed, Barbershop/Close Harmony, Male, Female and Chamber tilts will be invited to perform at a concert of the International Eisteddfod wherein one of the participants will be designated “Choir of the World” by the international panel of judges. (In 1997, the UST Singers choir under Fidel Calalang Jr. was named “Choir of the World”.) A prize of 3,500 pounds and the Pavarotti Trophy will be given the winning choir.

All entries must reach Llangollen by Nov. 1, 2009 at the latest. For additional information, e-mail [email protected].