The astonishing Elielle / Eddie Yap: The Music Man

In a fiercely competitive field, the brilliant 16-year old pianist Elielle Viaje, now on her second year at Vienna’s Praynor Conservatory and ready for university, astonishingly held her own in a recital last Saturday.

In Haydn’s Sonata in F Major, Beethoven’s Tempest Sonata, Chopin’s Etude Op 25, Schubert’s Impromptu in A Flat, Brahms’ Rhapsody Op. 79, Liszt’s Etude in D Flat (“Un Sospiro”) and Chopin’s Ballade in F Minor, Elielle immediately conveyed tonal clarity and a technical agility that had considerably developed. Nimble, even and swift double runs and forceful chords were instantly evident.

In interpretation, the melodic lines were eloquent and expressive, the opening Haydn Sonata exhibiting not only correct style but also a sparkle seldom infused in classic pieces. Beethoven’s “Tempest” Sonata had passion and intensity; Chopin’s Etude beautifully delineated what Schumann likened to sounds from an Aeolian harp with its rapid arpeggios and harmonizations. Fittingly, freshness and delightful spontaneity characterized Schubert’s Impromptu and Brahms’ Rhapsody.

Elielle skillfully tackled the tricky devices of Liszt’s romantic and lyrical “Un Sospiro”: its alternating hands and arpeggios in rapid tempo, the melody always predominating in the phrasing.

The finale, Ballade in F Minor has been described by an English pianist as “the most exalted, intense and sublimely powerful of all Chopin’s compositions”; Elielle, undaunted, met both the technical and emotional demands ranging from a depiction of calm to turbulence.

The over-all recital was that of an immensely gifted pianist who, with unwavering perseverance, is assured of tremendous achievement. Initially, the title of the invitation “An Evening with a Master” seemed a mistake because Elielle was interpreting several masters. Leo Armas, pastor of the World Community Church (the recital venue) explained it was “An Evening with Christ, the Master”. In God’s house, Elielle’s post-recital remarks described her vicissitudes; battling loneliness and homesickness, and worrying about her dwindling finances. But God, she stressed, always intervened.

After her little speech, the audience continued its lusty clamor of “More!” To this, Elielle responded with Prokofieff’s virtuoso piece “Visions Fugitive” which she had played last October before 2,000 listeners in Belgrade’s International Youth Festival, “Joy of Europe”.

Elielle’s extraordinary talent should entice music patrons to help alleviate her financial anxieties with checks which may be sent to Lt. Col. Mike Viaje, Rm. 18, TOQ, Camacho St. 1, Camp Aguinaldo, QC, or to Mrs. Wina Viaje, tel. 9122365.

For making the cover and main story of “Forbes in Touch” Eddie Yap has been presumably voted by Forbes Park residents “Man of the Year”. And for a very special reason. Those who excel in numbers (math) as Eddie does, rarely excel in notes (music), as Eddie does, likewise.

That Eddie is property developer, businessman and president of various prestigious organizations – the Subdivision and Housing Development Association, the Philippine Importers Association, the Pasay Rotary Club, the Executive Golfers and 5000 Golfers Club, the Manila Polo Club and earlier, the Forbes Park Association — is emphatic recognition of his business acumen and skill. These are balanced by his interest, indeed, passion, for classic music. He and his charming wife Dely avidly attend concerts here and abroad. Beyond being a music lover, Eddie is a cultural entrepreneur. Depending on his conversance with music and musical artists, he has organized two rousingly magnificent “Adeste Fideles” Christmas concerts (2006 and 2007), and the open-air “Music by Starlight” which combined classic and pop. The affable, unassuming Eddie is becoming an expert at juggling music and math – to the considerable pleasure and enlightenment of Manilans. Carry on!