Baroque to Modern: A night of classical and modern music

"Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life, bringing peace... -  Khalil Gibran

CEBU, Philippines - Classical music heard live is such a rarity in this part of the world. Basking in the richness of a Baroque musical concert is rarer still. Baroque music which forms a major portion of the classical music canon, being widely studied, performed, and listened to, is common in Europe but not in Cebu.

Now, with the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Jose "Dodong" R. Gullas, Baroque music will be heard by the Cebuano audience, performed by international award-winning University of the Visayas Chorale with conductor Ms. Anna Tabita Abeleda-Piquero. The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral will reverberate this Saturday with the sound of Baroque music, the perfect setting for classical music.

Ms. Piquero explains, "It is rare that these type of music is performed here so we figured we'd bring it here."

There are techniques involved in singing this period music, adds Piquero, so they tapped the experts in the field, Eudy Palaruan, as guest conductor and AJ Consolacion, on Baroque keyboard as accompanist.

The University of the Visayas Chorale, is not contented with sitting on their laurels. Despite their numerous national and international awards, they aim to push further in developing their talents. Piquero explains, "In order to be world class one needs to be exposed and to know all types of music from different parts of the world and of different periods. This is the first time, probably, that they are exposed to Baroque music, the techniques involved in singing this period music. Its good education I think."

The second part of the "Baroque to Modern" concert will be contemporary music by contemporary composers. Piquero said, "we injected some world folk songs as well to end the concert in a light note. We have put in an upbeat Basque (Spanish dialect) music, an Indonesian Pop song, and a Papua New Guinea folk song for the audience's listening pleasure."

This Saturday night, music will indeed be the language of the spirit, as Cebuanos will be treated to a rare concert of beautiful classical as well as modern and folk music from the Philippines and the world.

"Baroque to Modern" will be on July 23, Saturday, 8:00pm at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Jose "Dodong" R. Gullas. For inquiries, please contact Stacey Kaye Tumamak at 09264387159.