Virtuoso guitarist Carpio/Ochanine, pianist in concert/Classic violinist goes Rock!

As the title “String Connections” implies, an all-string Manila Symphony Orchestra under Conductor Arturo Molina performed at Filfest’s concert in Alabang’s Insular Life auditorium. Filfest president Vicky F. Zubiri welcomed the full house to a program which, except for the initial number, was most enchanting.

Despite Molina’s strenuous effort to enliven Respighi’s “Ancient Airs and Dances Suite No. 3”, it seemed too quiet and gentle to a point of vapidity compared to the ensuing selections.

Internationally awarded classic guitarist  Ramoncito Carpio elicited immediate excitement as he magnificently rendered “Sobre Motivos de la Traviata”, with Violetta’s arias  — Addio, A fors e lui and Sempre Libera — transforming these into a new, fascinating idiom through his “coloratura guitar”. Carpio “sang” the arias (as arranged by Francisco Tarrega), with Violetta coming alive in the magical splendor of strings. Agustin Barrios’ La Catedral, solemn and reverential, struck entirely contrasting passages. In Piazolla’s Primavera Portena (Buenos Aires Spring), Carpio masterfully interpreted the composer’s typical complexities, briskly and robustly conveying Piazolla’s passionate spirit while the rhythmic beat suggested the tango.

Satie’s Gymnopidies for orchestra, guitar and dance (orchestrated by Debussy) was a modern piece whose dissonances were danced to by Jayrald Magat and Alexa Torte in gently classic style, with modern touches.

In Rodrigo’s familiar, well-loved Concierto de Aranjuez, Carpio’s bravura-playing was at its most magnetic, with lush sounds emanating from the guitar as well as the orchestra, driving rhythms reverberating throughout the theater.

As in previous numbers, guitar virtuoso Carpio adroitly drew the widest range of dynamics, from the subtlest nuances to the richest, most striking tonal hues.

The guitar belongs to Spain, and Spanish guitarists should feel proud of a Filipino who could do tremendous credit to their instrument, who could strum it in so extraordinary a manner. Molina, for his part, expressed the essence of Rodrigo’s piece to the fullest, most vibrant degree.

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With Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 as highlight, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under Maestro Olivier Ochanine culminates its concert season on April 19, 8 pm at the CCP main theater. Gabriel Allan F. Paguirigan, a winner of the PPO’s 2013 Young Pianist Competition, will be the featured soloist. A UP student working for a diploma in Creative and Performing Musical Arts, Paguirigan, a soloist in the Classical Champions concert last year, played Saint-Saens Concerto No. 2 in G Minor with Ochanine conducting the PPO.

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Distinguished violinist Joseph Brian Cimafranca will interpret classical pieces, in special rock arrangements, with the Manila Symphony Orchestra tonight at 8 in the RCBC auditorium. “Rock Symphonies” should appeal to both classic and pop lovers.

Int’l Dance Day

Dance Xchange, graced by various Filipino and international dance artists, is holding concerts, workshops, artists’ forum and performances conducted by dance directors and dancers.

With the theme “Cultural Connectivity Through Dance”, Dance Xchange aims to “strengthen network dance groups in the ASEAN and beyond, enhance knowledge and skills of the dancers, teachers and choreographers on dances of different countries, showcase the unique dances of each country to deepen cultural understanding, provide venue for interaction and facilitate learning among dancers, directors, dance teachers, choreographers, and harness the country’s potential as a cultural destination in Asia.”

International Dance Day created under the auspices of UNESCO in Paris and held all over the world by the International  Theater Institute (ITI) — Cecile Guidote Alvarez, head Phl Center — will be on April 29; the Philippine National Dance Week, on the fourth week of April “to bring together dancers to demonstrate and realize the function of dance in society and the rest of the world.”

Joining 22 Phl dance companies are those from Japan, Hongkong, S. Africa, S. Korea, Spain, England, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and Vietnam.