German singer enchants / Ang Arko inspires / FEU wins UNESCO award

The Goethe Institut headed by Volker Avenmarg presented the fast-rising German jazz singer Esther Kaiser at the RCBC auditorium with back-up artists Carsten Daerr (pianist), Mark Muellbauer (bass player) and Jens Dohle (percussionist).

Kaiser, pretty and slim as a reed, quickly established contact with the listeners who responded to her charm, and graciousness as she invited them to participate in "Lonely People". She explained her songs, speaking in fluent English, while infusing wit and humor into her commentary. Many of the numbers (e.g., Seven Minutes for Falling in Love – or something like it) – were composed by her along with their English lyrics.

Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair, an Irish ditty, was a foreboding of what the rest would be like: Kaiser would sing the original melody but the pianist and the bass player would go far out and off-tangent, while providing a spontaneous air of improvisation. Thus went another familiar song, "Somewhere over the Rainbow" as did the other numbers.

Whenever Kaiser would pause from her singing, she would move gently and gracefully to the beat of piano, bass and percussion, giving visual pleasure as she swang and swayed.

Indeed, The entire program was far-out jazz, a constant meandering away from the melody, the kind to which the young and "now" audiences respond lustily – and wildly. Kaiser demonstrated a sweet, mellifluous voice and keen musicality, her own compositions conveying rich imagination, originality and versatility.

As pianist Daeer tickled the ivories, his agile fingers showed absolute wizardry – incredible skill. Sometimes, he played on a small, harmonium-like instrument while also playing on the piano, dazzling the audience even more.

Some praises Kaiser has garnered abroad follow:

"Through her voice, with its light timbre and intonation, she conveys all the nuances of poetry – most of which she penned herself – creating an intense and relaxing experience." – Bayersicher Rundfunk

"A not-to-miss voice in German jazz. After her sold-out show at Freiburg’s Jazzhaus – which she performed while still at school – the vocalist showed that she is a class act. Supported by a trio which broke all the swing clichés usually associated with backing groups…" – Badische Zeitung

"The thirteen tracks are exquisitely arranged, creating a sense of excitement, both rhythmically and melodically, heart-breakingly beautiful. With her unerring phrasing and sense of timing, the 29-year old vocalist neatly sidesteps the usual clichés." – Stereoplay

Need I say more?

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Ang Arko ng Pilipinas, a center for disabled youths, held a musicale recently at the Friendship Hall of Urdaneta Village. I have rarely seen a more heart-warming performance than what Ang Arko presented.

The blind vocalist Eileen Fernandez stole the show with her renditions of Perhaps Love (this with famed Jose Mari Chan), Christmas in Our Hearts and Love Me Tender, the two previous songs composed by Jose Mari, with lyrics by Rina Cañiza.

After Eileen’s first number, Jose Mari said: "I have often wondered how angels sound when they sing, and now I know, having just heard Eileen." Their duet was particularly touching, with the melding of smooth, mellow voices. Jose Mari had earlier sung, his voice mild and soothing, his manner equally so.

The Kilyawan Boys Choir under Mark Carpio (the Madrigals choral master) had members, ages eight to twelve, who showed admirable discipline, clear articulation, rhythmic precision and much enthusiasm.

But what moved the audience as much as Eileen did were the disabled youngsters from Ang Arko. Their sight was made even more heart-warming by the presence of two Caucasian volunteers: the first serving as guitarist accompanist; the second tending to a boy in a wheelchair.

What merriment and zest the youngsters exuded as they rendered Si Noah Gumawa ng Arko and Christ in My Vessel! Their singing led one to conclude that the handicapped are the happiest people in the world – thus inadvertently putting us normal ones to shame.

Touching testimonies were given by trustees Anna Dulay and Sylvia Montilla. The former talked about how her child afflicted with cerebral palsy had taught her two other children patience and tolerance; the latter related how her autistic child, a gift from God, was giving the family incomparable joy.

Fr. Willy Samson, SJ, gave the invocation; welcome remarks were delivered by vice-chairman Josefina Valderrama. Indefatigable chairman Armando S. Baltazar gave the closing remarks and thanked Arko sponsors, among them Marivic Concepcion and Vic and Bessie (Ocampo) Buencamino.

Representing media were Lorna Kalaw Tirol and Vergel Santos.

Ang Arko, founded by the late Jose R.L. Orosa, serves the mentally disabled in "Homes of Love". Donations may be sent to Ang Arko ng Pilipinas c/o Mr. Armando Baltazar, 116 Camia St., Bayanihan Village, Cainta, Rizal 1900.

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Congratulations to FEU chairman Lourdes R. Montinola for the University’s garnering an honorable mention from the UNESCO’s 2005 Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation and Jury Commendation for Innovation.

The citation, signed by Richard A. Engelhardt, UNESCO Regional Advisor for Culture in Asia and the Pacific, reads:

The conservation of the Far Eastern University (FEU), the largest ensemble of Art Deco architecture that survives in Manila today, presents an admirable and pioneering regional exemplar of a holistic campus-wide approach to university preservation. In the context of its immediate neighborhood, the project has had a significant effect on raising historic awareness in the community.

The project maintained a commendable balance between preserving original building design and use while accommodating the organization’s modern needs. Necessary new additions to the campus were sensitively integrated into the historic fabric of the compound, and the grounds themselves were treated an integral component of the holistic conservation plan.