Coyuito as concert climax / Unique show, fabulous prizes

At the Metro Manila Concert Orchestra performance at BDO’s F. Santiago Hall, Conductor Josefino “Chino” Toledo judiciously chose what would stress the vigor, vibrancy and dynamism of his remarkably young orchestra members headed by concert master Jhames Labrador.

Dvorak’s “Carnival Overture” conveys the rapid movement of figures in a circus; Rodriguez’s “Hot Buttered Rumba” is a sizzling dance with dazzlingly fast rhythmic beats. The instrumentalists seemed to enjoy themselves hugely as they infused both pieces with furious energy and infectious spirit under the fiery Toledo.

Novo Concertante Manila under Arwin Tan and the Neo Nocturne under Jeandro Fuentes Rabang joined forces for San Pedro’s Sa Dalampasigan (By the Seashore). The choirs were visually attractive and aurally impressive, their voices in thunderous accord. Listerners heard a roaring sea and a calm one, although the singers could have conveyed more subtle, more nuanced gradations of volume. Baritone Lionel Guico demonstrated a firm, solid voice, sustained high notes, clear articulation and deep feeling. Orchestral accompaniment eloquently mirrored the two contrasting moods of the sea.

Doubtless, the concert highlight — indeed, climax — was the performance of Cristine Coyuito as soloist in Saint-Saens’ Piano Concerto No. 4 in C Minor. Her exquisite refinement of tone, her grace and fluidity of execution evoked poignancy and delicacy of sentiment, as well as rich emotional content.

The opening allegro moderato was playful, nimble and dainty; in the andante, the pianist was profoundly pensive, and in the closing allegro vivace, andante allegro, her consummate skill, her virtuosity was evident in her flawless technique, sparkling, lightning swift swirls of sound, and arresting phrases.

In sum, Coyuito becomes increasingly stunning at each engagement — admirably more possessed, more assured as she persuasively reiterates her position as the pianists’ pianist.

Herewith is an intriguing bit of information on Coyuito’s musical education which has added luster to her playing. She interpreted Saint-Saens (born in Paris in 1835) whose teacher, Camille Stamaty, was a contemporary of Chopin. Saint-Saens’ favorite pupil was Fauré who taught Ravel. Ravel was Marguerite Long’s teacher (who premiered Ravel’s Piano Concerto in C). Long,, in turn, taught Philip Entremont with whom Cristine Coyuito studied in an academy outside Paris.

As Friday’s concert ended, applause was frenzied as Coyuito took a bow. She then rendered a piece which sounded very familiar because it was a Ravel pastiche - a delicate aping of how Chabier would have paraphrased Siebel’s well-known “Flower Song” from Gounod’s opera Faust. After the piece, the audience lustily clamored for more.

* * *

A unique show “Fulfilling Dreams through the Magic of Kaos” will be staged on Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. in the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila. Sponsored by Genting Hong Kong and Resorts World, the presentation will have as beneficiary The Living for Christ Foundation (LFCF), with proceeds earmarked for the poor in San Simon, Pampanga, under the auspices of the Foundation’s Housing and Social Development Project.

Eduardo “Eddie’ Yap, music lover and trustee of the Foundation, is involved in the project and is avidly helping to raise funds for its humanitarian objectives.

The production is a love story told in music, dance, magic, acrobatics, stunts. The family-oriented program features a cast of Filipino talents as well as performers from Spain, South America, Eastern Europe and China.

Fabulous raffle prizes, which may be won by ticket buyers, include a Western Mediterranean cruise package for two on board the Norwegian Cruise Line’s latest and largest ship; 12 Asian cruise packages for two on board Cruise Lines Asian fleet departing from Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan; 180 in cruise packages for two departing from and returning to Hong Kong (valid for travel until Dec. 2011).

For tickets, contact Leah or Florence at 634-6754, ext. 109 or 109.

N.B. Dr. Teofilo and Shirley Bangayan, together with Juanito and Lucy Que, were the driving force behind the establishment of the Fil-Chinese LFCF.