An evening of romantic music

After 20 years of missionary work, Belinda Maria R. Salazar returned to piano playing in “An Evening of Romantic Music” at the Sta. Isabel College auditorium, to mark the 150th annual presence of the Daughters of Charity.

The pianist gratifyingly evoked the romantic spirit in the collective works of Brahms, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Schubert and Liszt in varying degrees of warmth, ardor and passion. However, I most hesitatingly add that she was somewhat hampered by a piano whose lower tones rather lacked body and sonority, and whose upper tones sounded metallic, thus affecting end arpeggios, runs and trills.

Chopin’s Etudes (Studies) have long been regarded as exercises to overcome technical difficulties; the “Revolutionary” seems a study for the left hand. Studies or no, the Etudes have their own intrinsic merit as beautiful music. While Salazar tackled the technical complexities of the Etude in C Sharp Minor, she influenced its melodic lines with deep feeling, as she did in interpreting Schubert’s Impromptu in E Flat Major.

Brahms’ Rhapsody in E Flat Major is far from being “rhapsodic,” unlike Liszt’ Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6 which incidentally musicologists declare is more gypsy than Hungarian. The Rhapsody constantly repeats the germinal theme, the repetitious growing more rapid and forceful, with the pianist’s rendition arresting and exciting. The bravura piece drew lusty applause, the nuns giving Salazar a standing ovation. Forthwith, she gave an encore by Buencamino.

The recital was a most worthy tribute to the six composers and their romantic music. Heading the audience was the eminent Atty. Diane Franco.