Artymiw, Molina enchant/Be Cocoy's Valentine!

In “Facets of Classicism” held at St. Cecilia’s Hall, the attractive, Philadelphia-born pianist of Ukrainian descent, Lydia Artymiw, and Manila Symphony Orchestra conductor Arturo Molina performed in a formidable program consisting of Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C Minor and Mozart’s Concerto No. 21 in C Major.

 The conducting of violinist Molina, who further trained in Moscow and Kiev, is described in the program notes thus: “It is instinctive, natural and intuitive — yet precise, clear and authoritative. This combination of natural musical instinct and precise baton technique allows the orchestra to perform with a unified sense of phrasing, textural clarity and rhythmic control.” I find no reason to contradict this description.

In Prokofiev’s Symphony, Molina stirred the MSO, led by concert master Gina Medina, to energetic, vibrant life. The work was devoid of the composer’s usually disjointed harmonies, seducing the audience instead with original and engaging melodies. The orchestral sections conveyed awareness of the distinctive qualities of the movements — from allegro to molto vivace — making these highly discernible to the listeners.

For Artymiw’s part, the program notes on her are most impressive. The 54-year old soloist has played with hundreds of major American orchestras and leading conductors, given recitals in US and Europe, and garnered two prestigious US awards: the Leventritt (also won by Licad) and the Leeds. Incidentally, Artymiw is included in Robert Duval’s latest edition on world pianists, and I must regretfully note that although some Asian pianists are in the book, there are no Philippine-born.

Artymiw totally lived up to the expectations raised by the program notes. The classical concerto for piano and orchestra is regarded as Mozart’s distinctive achievement and contribution, replete with his unstinted and sparkling innovations much ahead of his time. In interpreting Mozart’s Concerto, the nimble-fingered Artymiw unraveled Mozart’s incredible riches through an exhilarating mastery that induced breathless excitement. Her tremendous technical skill as well as the most sensitive artistry were strikingly patent for the audience to admire in the allegro maestoso, andante and allegro vivace assai.

Pianist and conductor rendered the andante in the tender, delicate, sensitive manner it deserved — as one of   the most exquisitely lyrical in all piano literature, an andante so moving and beautiful that to my mind it turned Mozart, despite the program billed as “Facets of Classicism”, into a startlingly romantic composer. Artymiw and Molina were one in spirit and mood throughout the piece. As an aside, the pianist had a score in front of her which she never looked at although she turned its pages. Interestingly, during intermission, she told avid music lover Benito Legarda, Jr. that it was the first time she had played on a baby grand. Judging by her performance, however, who would have noticed it wasn’t a grand piano?

It took almost 20 years for Brahms to finish his first symphony, and when he did, a conductor pronounced it “Beethoven’s tenth”, even calling Brahms’ four symphonies “the greatest since Beethoven”.

In the first symphony, the introduction to the opening movement, un poco sostenuto-allegro, and the final movement, allegro non troppo ma con brio, are the most enchantingly beautiful, and Molina firmly kept the strong rhythm and grand lines, conducting with directness and vitality, and with an unwavering desire to follow the score with utmost fidelity. That desire was triumphantly fulfilled through the orchestra from which Molina drew a brilliantly fiery conclusion while commanding close attention for the entire symphony.

Applause was long and lusty for Molina and, earlier, even lustier for Atymiw.

Icon Cocoy Laurel, who needs no introduction, will sing immortal love songs in celebration of Valentine’s Day at Teatrino on Feb. 13 and 14, 8 p.m. I presume the songs will be in English, Spanish and Tagalog — interpreted in Cocoy’s inimitable manner. Sharing the limelight with him will be sister Iwi and nieces Nicole and Denise.