UST’s ‘SYmphoNERGY’ concert / St. Scholasticans’ reunion / MOC Young Artists’ series

In the UST Conservatory ‘SYmphoNERGY’ concert at the CCP main theater, its symphony orchestra under conductor Herminigildo Ranera opened the program, then assisted bassoon player Adolfo Mendoza and the choral ensemble of three groups.

Offenbach’s Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld is less known than his Overture to The Tales of Hoffmann. Offenbach is widely recognized as the most brilliant composer of light operas in the 19th century. Under Ranera’s baton, his melodies glowed; the audience enjoyed the second half of the Overture even more, being the very popular, light music played in school programs and band concerts. Its infectiously vigorous rhythm was energetically sustained by the orchestra.

Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in F Minor, to this listener, was the evening’s highlight. After its fate motif, it conveyed a tragic air which alternated with a dreamlike eerieness in the first and second movements. In the third, a scherzo, the strings’ swift, sparkling pizzicatos dominated and resonated throughout, the tuttis ending in the thunderous allegro finale, with Ranera holding the orchestra in tight control.

Ironically, the virtuoso pianist Hummel composed the Grand Concerto in F for a bassoon player rather than a pianist. Soloist Adolfo Mendoza more than matched the demands of the piece, playing with elan the long melodious lines and intricate passages, these showing the closest rapport between him and the conductor. His outstanding performance with the reduced ensemble of strings and a few winds, was an augury of an auspicious future.

The Polovetsian Dances from Borodin’s opera Prince Igor summoned the vocal resources of Coro Tomasino, the Liturgikon Ensemble and the Conservatory Chorus classes, these totalling over a hundred voices. The singing, dramatic and less declamatory, shifted from cantilena to occasional recitative, the tremendous volume reaching the rafters as it soared impressively. One wondered whether the chorus’ collective energy, vigor and vitality matched those of Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo dancers of the 1930s.

At any rate, the title SYmphNERGY, demonstrated the fullest energy of the UST Conservatory headed by College of Music dean Raul Sunico. It is to be presumed even more energy is forthcoming.

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The St. Scholastica’s Alumnae Association will hold a reunion “Celebration of Life 2013, An Affair to Remember”, at the Caridad Barrion Hall on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2:30 p.m. Alumnae 80 years old and above, whose class has celebrated its diamond jubilee, are also invited. All are requested to come in smart casual with a touch of blue. For RSVP, call Noemi Laca, tel. 524-1559, 567-7686 local 555.

Or call any of these committee members: Salud Donato de Castro, Elsa Lava Mapua, Marilen del Rosario Lopez, Baba Aro Santos, Sigrid Reymundo Lizares, Corie Magpile del Rosario, Anna Leah Wong, Loyan Wycoco Pineda and Bang Karaan.

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The MCO Foundation should be highly commended for supporting and featuring young musical talents since 1985. Among those now enjoying successful careers are pianists Rudolf Golez, Mariel Ilusorio and Hiyas Hila. The 17-year-old Lorenzo Medel has successfully auditioned with five prestigious US institutions, including the Eastman School of Music in New York which has given him a scholarship.

The violinists include Joseph Esmilla, Chino Gutierrez and Christian Tan. The singers are soprano Elainne Vibal and tenor Nohmer Nival.

Featured last Sept. 5 was Jeline Oliva with collaborating pianist Mary Anne Espina. (Inclement weather prevented this reviewer from attending it).

Other performers are tenor Ivan Nicolo Nery, winner of the Jovita Fuentes competition, Sept. 19; Matthew Calderon, pianist, 15, sole winner in the first Mozart International Competition in Thailand, Oct. 16; soprano Myramae Meneses, Aliw nominee for best actress in a musical, Oct. 2.

All recitals will be at the Ayala Museum, 7 p.m.