A glorious concert marks UST's 400th anniversary / JSSP's Christmas musical

A beautiful image of the Holy Family surrounded by golden rays of the sun was the spectacular décor of the UST chapel where a Christmas concert (the 9th) marked the university’s 400th anniversary.

The UST, older by eight years than Harvard U., proudly drew the best performers from its hallowed halls — faculty members and alumni — for the occasion. The choral groups — the Coro Tomasino under Ronan Ferrer, Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble under Eugene de los Santos and the Conservatory of Music Chorus under Ma. Theresa Vizconde-Roldan — joined forces to produce thunderous sounds to the accompaniment of the UST Symphony Orchestra under conductor Herminigildo G. Ranera.

The program consisted mostly of Christmas selections for voice or orchestra, the Ave Maria by G. Caccini was rendered by Korean soprano Sim-Sung Hye with ringing, long-sustained high notes.

Varying degrees of vocal skill, competence and excellence marked the refined rendition by sopranos Nenen Espina, Thea Perez Prosia and Naomi Paz Sison.

Exceptional animation and gusto characterized the interpretation of leading tenors Lemuel de la Cruz, Eugene de los Santos and Ronan Ferrer. Further, they sang difficult passages with security and brilliance.

In her solo, soprano Harlene Grace L. Magsino showed fine nuances and sensitivity of style.

Celebrated international pianist Raul M. Sunico played relatively simple improvisations for a pianist of his virtuosity; his phrasing, clear and rich tonalities made the melodic lines surface exquisitely.

The object of considerable wonderment was alto sax player Archimedes Lacorte, his enormous technical skill and sustained control fully evident in Pasko Na Sinta Ko, and Payapang Daigdig.

Andrew Fernando’s sumptuous singing, his unmatched power, sonority and resonance, his vocal sweep were utterly magnificent. The international baritone was completely, unqualifiedly the Drummer Boy. Twelve-year old boy soprano Patrick Packay, still a work in progress, took his turn singing Little Drummer Boy with aplomb.

Twice named “Choir of the World”, twice winner of the Pavarotti Trophy in Wales, UK and of countless other international prizes, the UST Singers under world-renowned pianist-composer-conductor Fidel Gener Calalang, Jr. awed and overwhelmed listeners with O Nata Lux by Nicholas White, Kampana ng Simbahan arr. by Calalang, and Heto Na Naman by R. Cayabyab sung a cappella.

The legatos, the meticulous style, the sentiment and sensibility were arresting and compelling. Singing without scores to totally focus on each song, the choristers under Calalang never missed a detail to make their interpretation more dramatic. The forceful voice of soloist Noel Azcona rose and rang in the last number. The choir received lusty applause for its blazing, volcanic performance.

A most sought-after soprano, the celebrated Rachelle Gerodias who has won several international awards, and starred in various operas in Europe and Asia, showed superb control of dynamics, delicacy of feeling, sensibility, keen intelligence and an exhilarating, vivid vocal art.

The finale of voices from the three choirs, the UST Singers and individual soloists was a synthesis of the glorious, overwhelming concert which inspired — and fired the imagination, setting the ultimate standard for the next 100 years!

Messages were given by Fr. Quirico T. Pedregosa, Prior Provincial and Vice-Chancellor; Mayor Alfredo Lim, Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, Rector; and Fr. Isidro C. Abaño, Quadricentennial Executive Director.

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Last Monday, the Johann Strauss Society headed by president Olga S. Martel, chairman Fortune A. Ledesma and v-p Agnes Huibonhua presented a concert hosted by the engaging, personable president of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (Phil) Ramesh Dargani and his charming wife Geeta at their elegant DV residence.

Featured were powerful baritones Roger Chua and Jack Salud, tenor George Yang who has consistently kept his place among peers, singer-by-avocation Joe Marie Treñas and coloratura soprano Fame Flores, a tiny girl whose firm, full, focused voice reached the stratosphere. (Fame is a scholar of Yang’s Klassikal Music Foundation.) The Christmas and religious songs were enhanced by international pianist Raul Sunico who gave virtuosic improvisations and excerpts from the Nutcracker Suite.

What a delightfully Christmasy evening!