Piano ‘Quadrille’ / FEU’s cultural events

"Quadrille" at the F. Santiago Hall came so closely after "Show of Hands" at the Philamlife auditorium that one is sorely tempted to compare the earlier four-pianist performance with the later one.

In any case, the international concert pianist Raul Sunico was the common denominator because he took part in both concerts. Sunico, who deserves to be included in the Guinness Book of World Records for his unmatched feat of playing all four of Rachmaninoff’s concertos in one evening, is incredibly generous in sharing his rare gifts and talent with his confreres – despite his hectic daily schedule as dean of the UST Conservatory – and in the process, elevating the prestige and quality of any concert wherein he performs.

In "Quadrille", Sunico interpreted Variations on a Theme by Paganini by W. Lutoslawski with Anamaria de Guzman. The highly percussive piece had its chords demonstrating Sunico’s tremendous power, with De Guzman countering with rapid runs. The duo showed its acute awareness of the work’s dynamic nuances.

Triana from Albeniz’s Suite Iberia was played by Sunico with Mary Ann Armovit. The entire Suite is heavy and daunting, and this is reflected by E. Granados’ transcription. In its spirit and imagery, the piece is thoroughly Spanish, and both pianists vividly conveyed the Spanish character of the music, while balancing the element of contrasts between them.

Sunico then interpreted Ravel’s La Valse (originally for orchestra) with Della Besa. Bass chords are combined with glissandos and other complex technical devices, and there are densities of sound throughout the piece. Vigor, vibrancy and intensity emphasized the dark, tragic undertones of the work.

The ensemble interpreted the fascinating Waltz (from Gounod’s opera Faust) with an infectious tilt that was an urgent invitation to the listeners to dance, and the cumulative volume produced by eight hands was overwhelming. The program closed with Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever (arranged by M. Wilbey), the finale creating impressively thunderous chordal passages, and the higher register taking the place of the flutes and other wind instruments. The vigorous, rousing spirit of the march was conveyed to the immense gratification and hearty, prolonged applause of the audience.

The program opened with Variations on a Theme by Beethoven, this interpreted by Armovit and Besa. Saint-Saens is a wonderful composer yet his arrangement inexplicably contained thin harmonies which did not come together cohesively and thus, did not seem to do justice to Beethoven. But the rendition was remarkably fluid.

It has become increasingly imperative to include Filipino works in a concert, and Armovit and De Guzman performed Philippine Airs (arranged by Sunico and Pandangguhan (arranged by A. Espina).

The close-ensemble rendition by De Guzman and Besa of Chopin’s Waltz in D Flat and Fantasie Impromptu charmingly hewed to the composer’s stylistic demands.

And here come the inevitable comparison and conclusion. "Quadrille" offered as engaging, entertaining and compelling a program as "Show of Hands", and the magnificent Sunico performed with pianists of varying degrees of skill, sensitivity and expressivity.

* * *

Dr. Rustica C. Carpio, executive director, President’s Committee on Culture, FEU, has sent me the following cultural calendar of events which will be at the FEU auditorium unless stated otherwise.

August, Buwan ng Wika, will be observed with a performance of FEU’s Pangkat Kawayan at Concert at the Park this Sunday, with Victor Toledo conducting. A song and poetry recital featuring Danny Dolor’s Tribung Pinoy will take center stage on Aug. 22 at 10:45 a.m. and at 3:15 p.m.

The FEU Chorale under choir master Emerson Hernandez will perform at Paco Park Presents on Sept. 9, 6 p.m. December 13 will feature a Choralfest at 10:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. in association with Artzee Arts and Cultural Promotions.

The Gilopez Foundation will come from Iloilo to present "The Miracle Worker" by William Gibson on Sept. 17, 10:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. The play, on the life of the blind and deaf Helen Keller, will have Farida Kabayao portraying Annie Sullivan, Keller’s patient and understanding teacher.

On Sept. 13 at 3:15 p.m. Inna Montesclaros, piano prodigy will give a recital; a Musical Potpourri is scheduled for Sept. 20, 10:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. To be featured are the husband-and-wife singing painters Allan Cosio and Ivi Avellana Cosio, and other artists.

On Oct. 20 at the FEU-FERN in Silang, Cavite, the FEU cultural groups – Dance Troupe, Chorale, Drum and Bugle Corps, Modern Dance, Pangkat Kawayan and Teacher’s Guild – will do a show entitled "Nature Calling".

On Sunday, Nov. 6 at 5 p.m., the FEU Dance Troupe under Irma Lopez-Escobia will perform at Concert at the Park, Luneta.

Dr. Isagani Cruz’s Palanca first prize winning play on Bienvenido Santos will be staged on Nov. 29 and 30 at 10:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. Direction is by award-winning Frank Rivera.

On Dec. 2 at 6 p.m., Paco Park Presents will feature the FEU Drum and Bugle Corps, and on Dec. 13 at 10:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., there will be a Choralfest in association with Artzee Arts and Cultural Promotions headed by Ramon Sarinas. The Manila Children’s Choir and other groups will perform.

January 2006 marks FEU’s founding anniversary month. A Serenade by all of FEU’s cultural groups will be presented on January 10 at 10:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.

Under the advisorship of Dr. Rustica C. Carpio, the FEU Theater Guild will stage Anastasia, the musical, on Jan. 18 and 19, 2006 under the direction of Zemaia Sen Millo, an FEU Mass Com graduate and budding playwright-director.

"Remembering Maestro Ryan" will feature Ballet Philippines on Feb. 15 and 16 at 10:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.

Rounding out the cultural events will be Tatlo sa Isa and Tales from Mindanao featuring the Integrated Arts Guild under Steve Patrick Fernandez, artistic director.