The Kabayao Quintet’s impeccable togetherness/Not-to-be-missed events
As a child, I had the pleasure of listening to Doroteo Kabayao, a doctor of medicine, play the violin accompanied by his wife Marcela on the piano. Inevitably, such a combination would produce the outstanding violinist Gilopez and the similarly outstanding pianist Marcelita.
Gilopez at 18 performed in NY’s Town Hall, and at 20, in Carnegie Hall after which a critic commented that he “held the audience in the palm of his hand.”
In due course, Gilopez married pianist Corazon Pineda, a brilliant student of Aida Sanz Gonzales. Inevitably, likewise, their children Sicilienne, Farida and Gilbert would gravitate to music, becoming violinists like their father. Incidentally, the children are engaged in other activities: Sicilienne teaches humanity courses, Farida is in theater where she portrayed Anne in “The Diary of Anne Frank” and Eliza in “My Fair Lady,” among other roles; Gilbert is torn between college sports and music but can always be counted as a member of the Quintet.
I hark back briefly to the Kabayao family history to make music lovers understand their incredible musicality and musicianship — talent explained by their genes — which, furthermore, has been diligently nurtured through the years.
For some time now, the Kabayao husband and wife as music missionaries have been disseminating classic music in uncommon venues — including cockpits! It has likewise been some time the Kabayaos have been performing as a Quintet, and their latest concert at the CCP Little Theater was part of the Filipino Artists Series. Most of the pieces the ensemble interpreted were familiar favorites. Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor was contrapuntally — structurally — balanced in the composer’s typical fashion, rendered with unflagging vitality, the notes of grandeur, and even of sublimity, remarkably conspicuous. Pianist and violinists made every movement a delight.
The prodigious and protean composer Jeffrey Ching was represented by his Sonata in D for Violin and Piano, and his printed explanation appeared too academic for the layman. Ching has composed over 200 works and the Sonata, an early piece, differs from his later ones in its predominantly lyrical and romantic quality. Gilopez rendered the ineffably exquisite melodies with glowing resonance. Indeed, despite advancing years, the virtuoso has not lost his touch. Or his mastery.
However, in Ching’s composition, the piano in several extended portions seemed to outshine the violin. (More on Ching in a later update.)
I find myself quoted in the program thusly: “Displaying marvelous digital dexterity and singular brio Corazon Pineda, in her arresting performance, reaffirmed her rank as one of our leading pianists.” I might add that Corazon plays better with each passing year.
The Quintet captured the lively, frenzied spirit of Danza de la Gitana by Halffter-Heifetz, and the flowing melodic lines of Romance by Joseph Hellmesberger were smoothly interpreted. The closest ensemble work, call it impeccable togetherness or rapport marked the selections, no matter how complex, as also the robust harmonies, striking rhythms and compelling sonorities and Kabalevsky’s Rondo.
By its verve and grace, by its facility and ease of playing, the Quintet illustrated the mellifluous charm and beauty of Mendelssohn’s Trio in D Minor.
Corazon’s transcriptions and arrangements — a yeoman’s task — took into consideration the violinists’ varying degrees of technical skill.
The thunderous applause brought on two encores, a Cayabyab piece by the Kabayao children and a classic work by the entire ensemble.
Ivan Mandy will lecture on “Celebrating Manila: A Walk through our Capital’s Cultural Heritage” tomorrow as
Tomorrow at the F. Santiago Hall, Ingrid Santamaria and Reynaldo Reyes will resume their Romantic Music Journey at
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