Riveting duo-pianists / Jed: Golden voice and heart
Whoever conceptualized “A Classic Evening”, which was staged at St. Cecilia’s Hall, did a remarkable job. Widely diverse piano-duo selections and arrangements represented Filipino, Czech, Spanish, Russian, French and American composers who fascinated the audience, each in his own distinctive manner.
The program ranged from the ineffably, incomparably lyrical (Cuenco’s Bato sa Buhangin and Velarde’s Minamahal Kita), to the vigorously rhythmical (Rachmaninov), to quaint, melodious folk dances (Dvorak), to pounding verve and zest (Milhaud’s Braziliera, Arthur Benjamin’s Jamaican Rhumba and Manuel Infante’s El Vito from Danses Andalouses), to the infectiously syncopated (Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm Variations), ending with recurring and compelling harmonies (Lecuona’s Malagueña).
Marguerite Echaus was in most of the numbers, thus proving her versatility; she and Priscilla de la Fuente-Sison, in the Filipino opening, conveyed the song’s melodious character in a refined, gentle, fluid fashion. Martha Brickman and Greg Zuniega highlighted the concert with their striking power, zest and finger dexterity through the rapid runs and brisk tempo of the Jamaican Rhumba and El Vito.
Other highlights: Zuniega and Echaus in Rachmaninov’s frenzied Tarantella, Zuniega and Brickman with riveting spirit and sparkle in selections from Bizet’s Jeux d’ enfants; Brickman and Echaus in Milhaud’s fiery Braziliera; Zuniega and Echaus in Gershwin’s fascinating, jazzy Variations.
Listeners admired and were often awed by the renditions as mood, style and technique of the partners melded, as seamless rapport emerged between them.
The resounding applause at concert’s end led to Gounod’s Waltz from Faust arranged for four pianists. “A Classic Evening” was certainly the best duo-piano concert I had heard in recent years. Present at the event for the benefit of the Battig Music Foundation and the Loyola School of Theology, were Federico O. Escaler, SJ, SSC President Sr. Angelica Levista, Dean Sr. Mary Placid and her assistant Sr. Agnela.
Congratulations to organizer Echaus for an imminently successful concert.
The Philamlife auditorium was filled with the young, adoring fans of Jed Madela who won the 2005 Grand Prize in the World Championships of Performing Arts in
Jed mesmerized and, indeed, overwhelmed the audience with his golden voice. Reportedly, Jed has not taken any formal voice lessons, and his rendition of Nessun Dorma seemed an argument against such lessons! Actually, opera singers don’t use microphones, and the listeners could not quite judge how big Jed’s voice actually was. At any rate, it conveyed tremendous power, the top notes firm, secure and long sustained.
The songs from Broadway and West End musicals, e.g., Phantom of the Opera, South Pacific, The King and I were more appealing than the rock and pop songs of Part II.
The MM Community Orchestra under the admirably authoritative baton of “
Besides a golden voice, Jed showed a golden heart, singing for Ang Arko ng Pilipinas’ mentally retarded children. Onstage, he showed genuine love for them, as also for his family whose presence he affectionately acknowledged.
Jed’s repeated thank you to sponsors was overlong and tedious, rendering Part II rather anti-climactic (Such acknowledgment is usually made by a non-member of the cast before a program begins, but Jed’s golden heart over-ruled his better judgement.)
Bituin Escalante belted in the best, most flamboyant manner, garnering nearly as much riotous applause as Jed did.
ART EXHIBITS: Manny Baldemor’s “Spring time in
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