JE Cruz plays Fortissimo! / Galleon Andalucia arrives

The resumé of Jiovanney Emmanuel Cruz states and proves  that he is the most internationally-awarded Filipino pianist.

A former child prodigy, he gave a command performance in Malacañang at age six, and made his debut with the Philippine Youth Orchestra at age ten after winning first prize in NAMCYA. He was granted full scholarship by the Young Artists Foundation of the Philippines, Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, England, and the Manhattan School of Music in New York under eminent pedagogue Solomon Mikowsky.

Cruz has performed with major orchestras in N.Y., Spain, Norway, Malaysia and Nagoya.

Tomorrow, the Yamaha Artist Series, Inc. and the American Liszt Society New York/New Jersey Chapter will present Cruz in “Fortissimo!”, a “Celebration of his 40th year in classical Piano Music” at the Yamaha Piano Salon, NY City. Cruz will play Haydn’s Sonata in F Major, Albeniz’s Granada y Asturias (from Suite Española), Chopin’s Ballade no. 1 in G Minor, Copland’s El Salon Mexico (transcribed by Leonard Bernstein) and Liszt’s Sonata in B Minor.

Mikowsky addressed students, alumni, colleagues and friends last October 3 on the inauguration of the Solomon Mikowsky Recital Hall at Cruz’s alma mater, the Manhattan School of Music, after which a concert followed.

Mikowsky said in part: “The program will bring together twelve of my former students (among them Cruz) coming from various countries. Although I was originally requested to submit only four or five names, I pleaded and submitted a list of more than 30 possible performers. I feel so strongly that there are so many among my former students (current students could not even be considered) who would honor me with their performances that I had to expand the list way beyond what was originally requested. President Sirola and senior staff then made the final decision based on international success, major prizes, press reviews, current professional standing in their countries and scholarships, competitions and performances during their student years at MSM.” That spoke a great deal for Cruz.

Galleon ‘Andalucia’

The following is part of an official announcement:

The Spanish galleon “Andalucia” arrives in Manila today for the 1st International “Dia del Galeon” Festival. “Andalucia” is a replica of a 17th century galleon built by the Foundation “Nao Victoria” and sponsored by the government and business community of Andalusia.

The galleon “Andalucia” revives the legendary trading vessels of the Galleon Trade Route that for three centuries (1565-1815) linked Manila, Acapulco and Seville, sailing across the Pacific Ocean between Asia and America as merchant ships and as a means to propagate culture.

“Andalucia” left Seville on March 21, covering roughly 11,000 miles and crossing the Mediterranean and Red Seas, and the Indian Ocean to reach Asia, calling on many of its ports. During Expo Shanghai 2010, the Galleon highlighted the Spanish pavilion to showcase both tradition and vanguard to promote Andalusia and Spain, the galleon replicating the first vessel to circumnavigate the world, thus demonstrating the Foundation’s vision, entrepreneurship, research and innovation proficiency.

“Andalucia” will be docked in Manila from October 6 to 9 — Spanish Ambassador Luis Arias Romero will host a reception on board the “Andalucia” upon its arrival — and will sail to Cebu and Bohol where it will be docked for 10 days, its longest stay in its entire journey, as the Foundation’s tribute to the crucial Philippine role in the Galleon Trade Route.

It will be Spain’s contribution to the “Dia del Galeon” Festival organized by Sen. Edgardo Angara, director general Cecile G. Alvarez in collaboration with the NCCA, DFA and the National Museum to mark the International Day of the Galleon, a UNESCO commemoration set on Oct. 8. Spain attaches great value to the Festival in appreciation of cultural diversity prompting inter-cultural dialogue to achieve tolerance, respect, mutual understanding for peaceful co-existence in modern democracies. The Galleon trade is at the core of Spain’s Common past with the Philippines.

“Andalucia” will be open to the public, so the Filipino youth can better imagine this magnificent phase of their history and thus understand the present.