Coyuito: Superb pianism / Arias and modern dance

Once again, Cristine Coyuito firmly asserted her superb pianism in last Sunday’s recital at the CCP Little Theater. With her usual and incomparably graceful, hand-and-finger movement, she began with Handel’s Chaconne in G. Major.

Handel is one of the world’s greatest composers although he is rather underrated, and Chaconne, as described by a musicologist, is an “essay in the grand style, opening maestoso, going on its way in many moods — scamperingly, playfully, pathetically — and ending in a swirling cascade of rolling notes.” Coyuito expressed total comprehension of the work’s stylistic demands through her nimble, magical fingers and subtle artistry, infusing the piece with grace, refinement and charm.

Grieg’s Lyric Pieces alternated between descriptive and program music, e.g., “March of the Dwarfs” and “Wedding Day at Troldhaugen” for the former, “Arietta” and “Melodic” for the latter. Certain of the fascinating compositions bore distinctive technical influences of Chopin, Liszt, Mendelssohn and Schumann. The pianist captured the varying emotional, dramatic and lyrical content, her strikingly controlled dynamics ranging from powerful chords to feathery pianissimos, her temperament reflecting the infinite nuances of each piece.

The romantic ardor, the long, flowing, exquisite melodic lines which characterize Rachmaninoff’s music were eloquently articulated by Coyuito in Six Moments Musicaux. The work demonstrates a wide diversity of lyrical expressions by an extraordinary composer who, being a towering virtuoso pianist, to begin with, inevitably embellishes his craft with virtuosic challenges. The pianist’s keen musical perception reflected the many moods through brilliant etching that bore virtuosic touches.

As climax, pianist and remarkably talented cellist Antoni Josef Inacay rendered Rachmaninoff’s Sonata in G Minor, each instrumentalist carrying the same significant musical burden. Lush, exuberant tones emanated from the cello; luminous, radiant ones from the piano. Fluent, liquid, singing lines marked the lento; spirited, intense thrusts surfaced from piano and cello in the allegro scherzando, succeeded by fluid sound; in the andante, ending in an allegro mosso that was fiery and compelling in execution, the colors rich and sparkling.

During the lusty applause, the pianist rewarded the cellist with a kiss, and together they played as encore Shostakovich’s Sonata in D Minor in a bristling, electrifying manner.

A most delightful surprise was the smooth flute performance of Caitlin Alisa, 13-year old daughter of Coyuito who assisted her in Claude Bolling’s “Veloce” Part 7 from Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano. Both enjoyed the jazzy idiom as immensely as the audience did. Caitlin, also adept on cello and piano, obviously took after her supremely gifted mother. The three performers received a standing ovation.

Tonight at 7:30, the Metro Manila Community Orchestra will be featured in concert at the F. Santiago Hall, Makati. Part I opens with the orchestral rendition of Berlioz’s Beatrice et Benedict Overture; Part II, with Nicolai’s Merry Wives of Windsor, both numbers to be directed by distinguished conductor Josefino “Chino” Toledo.

Ranking singers Camille Lopez Molina, soprano; Lionel M. Guico, baritone; Jennifer Uy-Wong, soprano and Randy I. Gilongco, tenor, will interpret arias from the operas of Puccini, Ponchielli, Bizet, De Leon, Rossini, Bellini, Verdi and Giordano. Jennifer and Lionel will sing Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture from Gershwin’s opera.

Quartets from Verdi’s Rigoletto, Puccini’s Turandot and La Boheme will highlight the concert.

The event should be of considerable attraction and interest to music lovers, particularly opera aficionados.

Likewise tonight at 7:30, under the auspices of Instituto Cervantes, Alberto Huetos will give a contemporary dance performance “I Just Want to Go On” at the CCP Little Theater. Although entrance is free, reservations have to be made through 0926-4739024 (Sep).