'Trio con Brio' dazzles / More September concerts

Violinist Joseph Esmilla, pianist Rudolf Pelaez Golez and cellist Victor Coo — all three apparently in the same age bracket, all three having honed their skills thoroughly in the best institutions abroad, and performed solo or with prestigious foreign chamber ensembles — gave a joint concert entitled “Trio con Brio” at the Philamlife auditorium under the auspices of the MCO Foundation.

In the Piano Trio in C Major by Haydn, often called “the father of instrumental music”, the collective reading was vibrant and virile, the ensemble work as close as possible. Perhaps the composition — as well as the rest — bears the title “Piano Trio” because the piano has a very dominant role, and owing to its inherent tonal qualities, it often overshadowed both violin and cello during the concert.

Esmilla, Golez and Coo inter-acted brilliantly. Conversant with baroque music, each gave full vent, distinctive substance and spirit to the movements, thus creating a lively, vigorous allegro, a flowing, lambent andante, a most zestful presto.

The Latin-American Astor Piazolla, worlds apart in technique and artistic approach from Haydn, followed. Concerto para trio (transcribed by Albert Tiu) was characterized agitatedly with frequent vigorous and “squeaky” thrusts, energetic rhythms and staccatos by violinist and cellist, and powerful chords by the pianist. Abrupt pauses abounded. A glissando from the piano ended the first movement which led to tumultuous applause, thus violating the “no-applause-between-movements” rule.

The atonalities and technical devices of the Concerto and La Muerte de un Angel (Death of an Angel) transcribed by Jose Bragato, were similar, including discords that added to audience fascination, enchantment or considerable surprise. The tango rhythm frequently surfacing in La Muerte was so infectious it led listeners wishing to dance!

Piazolla’s Soledad, exquisitely lyrical and most soothing to the ear, seemed a portrayal of a beautiful woman, a tantalizing vision of a beloved. The contrast demonstrated the two sides of the versatile Piazolla, Soledad being a refined, elegant expression of the loftiest sentiment.

Brahms did not achieve Beethoven’s perfection, but many of his chamber works, e.g., Piano Trio in B Major, are of the highest level of creativity. Leaving the baroque music of Haydn and interpreting Brahms’ romantic Trio again displayed the performers’ utmost cohesion and the closest “togetherness”, individual dexterity and deep emotional reserve.

The rendition, collectively and individually, was masterful. The startling, dramatic opening presaged the tenor of the rest. The three gave the impression that they had been rehearsing together for half of their lives. The audience gave them deafening applause and a standing ovation which garnered two riveting encores.

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On Sept. 12 at 8 p.m., the UST Symphony Orchestra will perform at the CCP main theater.

Also on Sept. 12, bel canto tenor Roger Peñaverde, Jr. will sing at an invitational soiree at the residence of Alex Cua in Corinthian Gardens, QC. Roger made his debut recently with NY’s Bronx Opera Co., singing as Ernesto in Donizetti’s  Don Pasquale and as Pamino in Mozart’s Magic Flute. This was under the auspices of the Martina Arroyo Foundation, and Roger was the only full scholar at the performance.

Roger graduated from the Manhattan School of Music with a master’s degree, major in vocal performance, on a merit scholarship.

Joseleo Lugdat, who trained under Gamaliel Viray, gave a recital at the Sta. Isabel College Music Department. Pianist Sr. Emelita Pacubas was the assisting artist.

On Saturday, Sept. 18, the Filfest Cultural Foundation, headed by Vicky F. Zubiri, will hold a soiree featuring Dena Fernandez on the marimba, and soprano Joy Tamayo, with pianist Lourdes Gregorio as assisting artist. Cocktails will be at 6 p.m. concert, at 7 p.m. Venue: Tower Club at Philamlife Tower, Makati.

On Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. Minerva Tanseco, Fanny Blanco and Fortune Ledesma will present an all-Chopin program with Raul Sunico and Ingrid Santamaria as soloists, and Jonathan Coo as orchestra. Venue: residence of Andy and Tereret Liboro.