IC presents Angelo Ortiz in Spanish piano works/ Requiem concert for Marge

Pianist Angelo Ortiz, 25, winner of two titles as Instrumental World Champion for Classical and Original Works, will play Spanish masterpieces on Jan. 30, 7:30 p.m., at Meralco Theater.

Jose R. Rodriguez, director of Instituto Cervantes (IC) which is presenting Angelo, firmly believes that the concert will appeal to the young.

Here is why. Angelo garnered his world titles when he was only 22, becoming Champion Pianist at the World Championship of the Performing Arts in Hollywood in 2006, winning over 50,000 participants from 50 different countries. Shortly thereafter, he was chosen a judge in the 19th Awit Awards.

Angelo’s forthcoming concert, “Variaciones Classicas Españolas”, will offer variations of famous Spanish classics e.g., Suite Andalucia, Suite Española, Carmen Suite I, and compositions by De Falla, Lecuona, Albeniz and Rodrigo.

In his energetic and electrifying manner, Angelo will play Malaguena, Gitamarias, Leyenda, Tango, Granada, Cordoba and Concierto Arañuez. Banda 31, a symphonic wind orchestra consisting of young talented musicians, will be another reason for drawing youngsters to the unique event.

It will likewise feature American saxophonist Dr. Michael Young and teen-aged wind instrumentalists Paolo Alcantara and Lowell Lalic.

Angelo is also a composer; he creates new age and contemporary music which he identified as “classical pop”, a distinct, refreshing approach to the world of music dominated by pop and rock. Angelo has successfully experimented with classical music to help his fellow youth appreciate it, thus winning enthusiasts of his “New Age Classical Pop”. Indeed, his four CDs have made record sales.

“Variaciones” is free to the public; for ticket reservations call 0916-2455376 or 6451450. Besides IC, sponsors are the Spanish Program for Culture under the Spanish embassy, and the Manila Peninsula.

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Eminent pianist-pedagogue Marguerite Echaus, daughter of Gilda Macaraig Echaus and the late Ramon Echaus, literally came home to die, a victim of cancer.

Marge, as friends called her, studied piano at St. Scholastica’s College, and later, in the US where prestigious music institutions conferred awards on her. She was a distinguished faculty member of the Vancouver Academy of Music in Canada, highly regarded by her students and their parents. Instances of this were revealed by Marge’s brother Raymond during the necrological services: A Christmas card sent to Marge by pupil in Vancouver carried this message: “What a wonderful world this would be if everyone had your dedication and your love.” A father of a pupil, informed of Marge’s illness, requested a friend on his behalf to send Marge everything she could imaginably wish for, adding, “Please don’t spare me any expense.”

Whenever Marge came to Manila for brief vacations, we would attend concerts together. How I enjoyed her charming company and illuminating conversation! Twice, Marge performed at SSC concerts, once with members of the Vancouver Academy of Music.

After a requiem mass at the SSC chapel, a concert of Marge’s favorite pieces ensued: the overture to Mascagni’s opera Cavalleria Rusticana and Abelardo’s Cavatina played by Joseph Cimafranca, violin 1, Sara Maria Gonzales, violin 2, Rey Concepcion, viola, and Gerry Gonzales, cello. Camille Lopez was profoundly moving in Santiago’s Ave Maria; she and tenor Pablo Molina solemnly sang Frank’s Panis Angelicus. Marge must also have been immensely pleased listening to Greg Zuniega’s interpretation of Chopin’s Nocturne in C Sharp, to Cuenco’s Bato sa Buhangin and Velarde’s Minamahal Kita, these two exquisitely lyrical works played by Zuniega on Piano 1 and Priscilla Sison on Piano 2.

Srs. Baptista Bustamante and Mary Placid delivered remembrances of Marge’s insistence on discipline and dedication. Marge was so incredibly generous, all her earnings went to priests! Bishop Escaler and Fr. Luis Candelaria officiated at the rites.