Alabang is steadily turning into a sparkling metropolis as well as the cultural center of the South through the concerts presented by the Filfest Cultural Foundation headed by its president Vicky F. Zubiri.
Persisting with its musical advocacy, Filfest presented at its latest concert the eminent US-based cellist Wilfredo Pasamba, the PREDIS Chamber Orchestra and the Philippine Youth Symphonic Band under the baton of Jeffrey Solares. Music lovers in Alabang and its environs attended the concert at the Insular Life auditorium, packing the venue to its doors.
Now for the program. Conductor Solares was a picture of enthusiasm and authority showing no mannerisms or eccentric gestures. His simple, clear hand movements embodied what he found in the opening number: Antonino Buenaventura’s Himig Nayon — Pahiwatig, Pasasaya. The former evoked a quiet village life; the latter, a bustling, vibrant, colorful fiesta, rich in native ambiance.
The two combined orchestras numbering about 40, with a single bass player, make up what is arguably the best youthful ensemble, its members having been trained in leading music schools, the music department of St. Scholastica College among them, their skills honed to reflect the highest possible standards of performance.
The youthful instrumentalists gave a brisk rendition of Buenaventura’s work in perfect consonance with the conductor’s beat which infused life into the music in varying degrees of dynamics.
Schumann’s Cello Concerto in A Minor came next, with eminent US-based Wilfredo Pasamba as soloist.
Despite Schumann’s mental instability, he often created romantic music of the finest quality. One musicologist described it thus: “It is drenched with Teutonic qualities: broad sentiment, lively humor, domestic charm. Schumann translates the ‘poetry of everyday life’ into music.”
Fully focused, Pasamba fluently revealed considerable technical resource in the challenging passages, and an intensely lyrical spirit in the lambent ones. He and the orchestra under Solares interpreted the music as one. Pasamba graciously rewarded the hearty applause with a lively unaccompanied piece.
Followed Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in G Minor. Although Mozart is classified as a classic composer, his exquisitely melodious compositions, such as this symphony, can compare with those of leading romanticists. The opening melancholy movement of the G Minor Symphony is one of the most beautiful in music literature, its deeply moving sadness permeating the entire composition. The orchestra captured and expressed the substance or essence of the music, with Solares delineating it through his baton.
Neither Schumann’s Concerto nor Mozart’s Symphony contains thunderous passages that shake the heavens, each work progressing in a relatively even keel, the performers investing it with eloquence and warmth. Responding to Solares clear, simple cueing, the youthful instrumentalists, after the symphony, rendered an encore.
Opening remarks by Filfest director Martin Lopez and the amusing annotation of Raul Guingona enlivened the event. Ricky Ocampo invited the audience to visit after the concert, the third-floor exhibit of art works, and the fashion designs of Pitoy Moreno.
Special Rizal Program
In commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of the country’s national hero Jose Rizal, a special program entitled “J.P. ang gig ni Rizal” will be presented on June 17, 4 p.m. at the CCP main theater. It will feature artists and performing groups led by the PPO under the baton of Maestro Olivier Ochanine.
Ballet Philippines’ international winners Candice Adea and Marc Cordero, Tanghalang Pilipino, Philippine High School for the Arts and a 150-voice choir conducted by Jai Sabas Aracama will perform. To be directed by Chris Millado, the program will also include Rachelle Ann Go, Erik Santos, John Arcilla, Philippine All Stars, soprano Myra Mae Meneses and Juana Change. Thirty-five Filipino youth achievers, who will be recognized as “Mga Makabagong Rizal: Pag-Asa ng Bayan” will be introduced to the audience.