Mayor Lim heads audience at all-Abelardo musical/Iranian-Phl duo concert

Alfredo S. Lim headed the audience at the all-Abelardo concert in St. Paul U. Manila’s Fleur-de-lis auditorium. Why was he there? Because he is not only the highly-admired, well-loved Mayor of Manila but also a relative of Nicanor S. Abelardo, one of the country’s most distinguished and prolific yet much neglected composers.

Mayor Lim, therefore, is an avid music-lover, and the many free schools he has opened for the poor children of Manila teach music, including presumably Abelardo's songs for the youngsters to sing.

Sr. Anunciata Sta. Ana, dean of the College of Music, said that the evening's concert was merely “the tip of the iceberg,” considering the hundreds of widely-ranging works Abelardo composed: overtures, sonatas, caprices, nocturnes and, not the least, kundimans. Incidentally, he authored “UP Beloved.” The composer seemingly had a predilection for sad, nostalgic themes: death, parting, waning or uncertain love, lost friendship, etc.

The concert stage appeared like a simple, cozy sala of a middle-class Filipino home, perhaps Abelardo’s own, every detail creating the ambiance of his era. Singers were in early native attire — baro’t saya, terno, barong tagalog. A male singer, in the daily wear of a farmer, was in tsinelas.

An exquisitely distinctive lyricism was the dominant quality of the music, a quality that surfaced in all the works performed. One concert highlight was international pianist Raul Sunico rendering Nocturne with its lambent, gently flowing melodic lines, and Fantasia Impromptu, a dramatic contrast with its brisk rhythm, staccatos and arresting accents — both works masterfully and artistically interpreted.

Another highlight was the performance of the St. Paul U. Manila Chorale conducted by Sr. Anunciata. The sustained, controlled pianissimos would slowly swell and rise to fortissimos, the varying dynamics enthralling the listeners in two delightful favorites: Bituing Marikit and Nasaan Ka Irog. Faculty members joined the chorale in the third song, the rousing Aking Bayan, the ensuing increased volume considerably enhancing the number. The lustily applauded ensemble was assisted by pianist Priscilla de la Fuente-Sison and organist Jenny Joey Medina.

Earlier, faculty members Elisanta Cortes, Nenen Espina and Thea Perez sang Kundiman ng Lahi, Mutya ng Pasig and Nasaan Ka Irog, respectively. Mary Anne Espina was assisting artist for them as she was for violinist Gina Medina-Perez and pianist Mary Anne Espina who both interpreted Capriccio Espagnole with moving expression.

The opening Visayan Caprice and Kung Hindi Man had for interpreters violinists Proceso Yusi, Jorge Joy Sababan, John Jerry Ginon and Amber Loraine Murillo; cellists Felicitas Ronquillo and Kemuel Quillao. Distinguished pianist Jonathan Arevalo Coo completed the ensemble.

Cavatina and Kundiman which followed featured violinist Arika Decena and pianist Mary Anne Espina.

Midway, Oliver Rodriguez, Ronan Ferrer and Eudenice Palaruan rendered Ikaw Rin, Pahimakas and Babalik ka Hirang, respectively, with pianist Melissa Taqueban assisting and Jorge Joy Sababan providing the violin obligato.

At concert’s end, the composer’s relatives were requested to come onstage, among them Jess de la Fuente who deeply regrets Abelardo cannot be declared a National Artist because of his demise. My seat mate Marissa A. Santiago is a close friend of the Abelardo family.

Iran-Phl concert duo

Iranian violinist Pezhman Fatahi and Filipino pianist Imelda Asiaten will give a duo concert on Feb. 12, 5 p.m. at the Founders’ Hall of St. Paul U. Manila.

Born in Tehran, Iran, Pezhman was a scholar at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England and at the Hochschule fur Musik in Hanover under Profs. Shevelov and Oscar Yatco. He studied chamber music under Prof. Guirrana and was given a soloist diploma in 1987 in Hanover. He performed in the Salzburg Festival with the chamber orchestra “Fonte di Musica.”

Asiaten, a student of Stella Goldenberg, is a graduate of St. Paul College where she served its Glee Club as accompanist. She studied further in Hanover as a DAAD scholar. Since 1994, Asiaten has been concertizing with Pezhman.