Taiwan, RP join talents / CCP, FEU cultural shows / C. Syjuco’s spectacles

At the recent concert in F. Santiago Hall, Taiwanese Tseng Ying-An wielded the baton over the 63-member UST Symphony (Student) Orchestra in the Overture from The Messiah by Handel. The Overture is a forecast of what the oratorio is – a gem of a masterpiece that reaches the highest degree of creativity and melodic inventiveness.

Tseng was comfortable and at ease as he gracefully and authoritatively conducted the young instrumentalists whose smooth and cohesive playing exhibited a certain flair and elan in a work that presages many towering heights including the two tenor airs and the Hallelujah Chorus.

Leopold Mozart’s Concerto in D Major does not possess the sparkle and the brilliance of concertos by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Tseng conveyed meticulous care as he drew clean, expressive lines from the ensemble. Trombone soloist Chiu Wei Lun had some unsteady notes; occasionally, a few were even missing. Aside from the contretemps, however, the soloist rendered his part competently.

This reviewer got a splendid surprise from the performance of piano soloist Cynthia Polillio Yumul whom she was hearing for the first time in Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini. (Other composers have worked on this theme, likewise, and Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody is actually a series of variations.)

The predominantly percussive work requires power – especially in the double octaves – dexterity, clarity and precision – all of which Yumul remarkably demonstrated in full measure in her interpretation that reflected grandeur and majesty.

Poised, assured and confident, she showed, in addition, the necessary lyrical vein to such an extent in the two exquisite cantilenas, the listener wished they had been longer.

Herminigildo G. Ranera conducted with aplomb, the deeply involved instrumentalists hewing closely to his cues, often evoking excitement in climactic passages – the brasses, woodwinds and strings in rhythmic interplay with the piano which dominated and shone throughout.

The lusty, prolonged applause was in recognition of the outstanding performance of pianist Cynthia Palillio Yumul whom we fervently hope to hear more often onstage.

The concert concluded with Tseng ascending the podium once again for Taiwanese songs which made for a charming, delightful musical "aperitif" in the reverse. The pieces, played in distinctively Oriental mode created shimmering, delicate scenes and images, or struck up brisk, military airs.

The concert was under the auspices of the UST Conservatory of Music headed by Dean Raul Sunico, in cooperation with the MCO Foundation chaired by Armando Baltazar.

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The Filipino Artists Series, which presents young talents at the CCP Little Theater already featured violinist Justin Texon last July 26. He highly impressed the audience at the FCCP soiree held in the residence of Chito Madrigal Collantes.

Still to be featured are guitarist Angelo Favis, Aug. 30; pianist Rudolf Golez, Sept. 27, and tenor Randy Gilongo, Nov. 15. All performances start at 7:30 p.m.

An assistant professor in guitar at the Illinois State U., Dr. David is an active performer of solo and guitar chamber music abroad, particularly in the US. A prize-winner of many guitar competitions, Dr. David has given world premieres of various guitar works.

Pianist Golez was a winner in the first ASEAN Chopin Competition held in Kuala Lumpur in 2004. Rudolf is a degree-holder in both English and Music, and pursued an MM degree in Piano earned at the UP College of Music. He has shone in piano festivals and master classes here and abroad.

Regarded as an outstanding tenor, Randy earned his MM degree in Vocal Performance at the Elizabeth U. of Music in Hiroshima, Japan, and his Bachelor’s Degree at the UST Conservatory of Music. His passion for art songs has taken him to Japan, Austria, France and Germany for performances.

The Philippine Opera Company will stage "Romeo and Juliet" on Sept. 7-8, 14-15 at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 9-10, 16-17 at 3 p.m.

The POC will stage a fantasy version of Mozart’s Magic Flute on Dec. 14-17 at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and Dec. 19-22 at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

All performances will be at the CCP Little Theater.

The FEU cultural events are open and free to the public but they are presented primarily to deepen and refine the artistic taste and sensibilities of its students. Among presentations initiated and organized by Dr. Rustica C. Carpio, executive director of the President’s Committee on Culture, are the following:

Past Perfect: Musical Revue featuring compositions of Gershwin, Cole Porter and Richard Rogers in coordination with pianist Della Besa, Sept. 6, 10:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. at the FEU auditorium.

Excerpts from The Vigil by Ladislas Fodor featuring the Barangay Theater Guild under the direction of National Artist Daisy Avellana. Set for Sept. 28 at 10:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.

FEU Chorale at Paco Park, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m.

The New Yorker in Tondo, the Musical, with libreto by Winston Ynion and music by Herminigildo Ranera, Nov. 27 at 10:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. at the FEU auditorium.

Serenade: Part 3, starring FEU cultural groups, Jan. 18, 2007, 12 noon and 4 p.m.

Student Festival in celebration of National Arts Month, Feb. 16, 2007 at 12 noon and 4 p.m.

Steps Ballet Concert in coordination with Sofia Zobel-Elizalde of Steps Dance Studio, Feb. 19, 2007 at 10:45 a.m. and 4 p.m.

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The brilliant literary, visual and performing artist Cesáre A.X. Syjuco has been regaling the cognoscenti and literati with his spectacles through the past several months. He has presented Attacked from Underground with poetry performances by Alfred Yuson, Ronnie Lazaro, Judy Sibayan, Gemino Abad, Vim Nadera, Maxine Syjuco, Jim Libiran, Jevijoe Vitug, Angelo Suarez, Tata Funilas, Ian Madrigal, Mitch Garcia, Kaye O’Yek Daya, Lirio Salvador, Bob Balingit, Los Chupacabras, etc. Other programs were Cesáre and The Electric Underground Collective, Cesáre: A Tree Grows Underground, and the most recent, Surviving Friendly Fire, this with the live performance of Cesáre, Alfred Yuson and scores more.

Judging from a presentation I saw a few months back, Cesáre makes a tremendous impact on the audience, compelling and arresting attention.