At Pen, FAT/SSS concert
This year’s Christmas concert attendance at Peninsula Hotel was extraordinarily large, perhaps because the event drew not only genuine music lovers but also curiosity-seekers, the PEN having been the venue for Trillanes’ historic caper. However, nothing seems to have changed: the decor is fabulously festive as always, the towering Christmas tree almost reaches the ceiling. PR director Mariano Garchitorena and his deputy Joseph Arias thoughtfully set aside an ideal spot for media; GM David Batchelor and his lovely wife were warmly welcoming guests.
Ruggiero Barbieri was in fine fettle as guest conductor of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. The light classics, although not identified with Christmas, characterized its brisk, live spirit as did Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 5 in G. Minor. Only three of his 21 Hungarian Dances were arranged for orchestra by him; the one heard at Pen was not. Nevertheless, it evoked the breeziness and brio common to the dances. Strauss’ Die Fledenmaus Overture was similarly fervid as was Strauss Jr.’s Radetzky March which, sending pulses beating, had Barbieri inducing the audience to clap to its vigorous martial beat.
Familiar, well-loved carols and R. Cayabyab’s Kumukutikutitap conveyed warm, smooth, flowing orchestral tones; the marvelously cohesive and expressive UP Concert Chorus sang Celerio’s Ang Pasko ay Sumapit, Adeste Fideles and Hallelujah, with the audience rising to its feet for the latter.
The highly appreciated The CompanY consisting of three women and two male pop singers, interpreted I’ll Be Home for Christmas, Heto na naman and other carols. The consistently prolonged and lusty applause throughout the concert triumphantly signified that everything has gone back to the usual joyous days of the prestigious Pen.
At the Folk Arts Theater, a large British segment headed by Ambassador Peter and Jill Beckingham and British Council director Andrew Picken, OBE, checked on the worth of PPO guest conductor David Wordsworth (pun intended); they and the rest were wholly gratified. Wordsworth’s impressively precise, forceful and incisive manner for Handel’s Messiah drew equally brisk, forceful and emphatic tones from the ensemble.
In the arias and recitatives, Ronnie Abarquez (bass-baritone), Recieluz Evangelista and Ferleoni Medina arrested and compelled attention, particularly Abarquez — his powerful, resonant, well-rounded voice ringing in both low and high registers — and Evangelista. The combined Coro Tomasino and the UST Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble produced a massive and overwhelming, if not always mellifluous, volume.
The British holiday carols being heard for the first time were refreshingly charming: Vaughan Williams’ “Fantasia on Christmas Carols”, John Rutter’s three songs, and Bob Chilcott’s fascinatingly stylized variations on “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. Rousing applause ensued after the rousing Hallelujah chorus.
To mark its 50th anniversary, the Social Security System, jointly with Tawid Publications, will present “The Classics at Christmas” featuring international concert pianist Raul Sunico, with guest performers Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata, classical violinist, and Antonio Maigue, classical flutist, on Dec. 17, 7 p.m., at the Ramon Magsaysay Hall, 2nd Floor SSS main office, East Ave., QC. The newly renovated hall is for cultural events.
The concert will also launch a CD of popular songs of the 1950s — the era of the SSS’ founding — by National Artist Lucio San Pedro, Abelardo, Santiago, De Guzman, Maiquez, Canseco, Velarde, Suarez, Silos, Asuncion, Delfino, Nonong Pedero, Raul Manglapus and Emiliano Cruz.
The “Kabalikat” art exhibit will be held earlier at
Call TP tel/fax 9378296, SSS Gallery tel. 9206401 loc. 5976 and 5331, or EM tel/fax 4556547 for tickets.
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