Denise See, 15: Amazing! / Song, guitar performances / SSC first platinum reunion

Denise Faith L. See, 15, amazed listeners at her recent Philamlife recital for her thorough conversance with diverse musical styles: Baroque (Bach’s “Prelude and Fugue” in D Major and B-flat Major), romantic (Chopin’s daunting “Revolutionary” and “Butterfly” Etudes), impressionistic (Debussy’s “Claire de Lune”), contemporary (Poulenc’s “Toccata”), jazzy (S. Joplin’s “Bethena, a Concert Waltz” and “The Easy Winners”) and classic, Mozart’s “Concerto in A Major”. This finale was accompanied by the Manila Symphony Orchestra conducted with aplomb by Jeffrey Solares.

The classical concerto for piano and orchestra is often regarded as Mozart’s achievement, its form inventive and tightly fused its substance rich. Denise exuded poise and confidence in the concerto, her every note in total rapport with that of the ensemble. Both she and Solares delicately pointed up the supremely exquisite lyricism of the second movement (adagio).

Demonstrating fluency and nimbleness likewise in the solo pieces, Denise executed rippling runs, powerful chords surprising for her youth and frail physique. Further, she made every selection seem easy and effortless, even Chopin’s highly challenging “Revolutionary Etude” with its forbidding test for the left hand. Poulenc’s “Toccata”, replete with staccatos, sounded fresh and spontaneous; Bach’s contrapuntal works were articulated with utmost clarity; Joplin’s were infectiously jaunty. In Mozart’s Concerto, Denise was at her sparkling best.

At recital’s end, lusty clamor and a standing ovation ensued. As encore, Denise played another familiar Chopin piece on which a pop composer based his familiar song “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows”.

The astonishing recital must have immensely pleased Denise’s father John See and Prof. Anthony Say who gave the pianist her first formal lessons at the age of five. She began playing the piano at three!

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A recital will be given today by veteran journalist Nestor Mata, baritone, and eminent painter Allan Cosio, tenor, at the Multi-Purpose Hall, Vibal Publishing House, QC.

They will render operatic arias and popular classics in Italian, German, Spanish and English.

A previous engagement prevents me from attending the recital. I have heard both sing. They are much more than mere amateurs; vocally skilled, they nurture a passion for music. With Allan’s powerful voice, vocal control and expressiveness, he could have dedicated himself to music rather than to the visual arts. Nestor, who sings vibrantly, is always a joy to hear.

Esther Vibal, head of the Vibal Publishing House, deserves hearty commendation for her unwavering encouragement and support of artists all these years.

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I was meeting a deadline when the Friends for Cultural Concerns of the Philippines was presenting its scholars from the UP, guitarists Jeffrey S. Malazo and Aaron Rafael B. Aguilar III at a tea musical in the National Gallery. The UP Classical Guitar Orchestra of 15 music students also performed under the direction of Prof. Lester Demetillo. Araceli “Nene” Leonor is FCCP president; Chloe Periquet is director of its “Artists and Friends” committee. Palma Tiongco hosted the merienda.

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For the first time ever, St. Scholastica’s College held a “Celebration of Life Platinum Reunion”. About 50 platinum alumnae “celebrated life”, among them the younger ones Eva Gonzalez, Lourdes Segundo and Consuelo Tan, Amelita Ortigas Olbes (HS 1932), Betty Castillo Laurel (HS 1936), Naty Crame Rogers (HS 1939). Bang Karaan is the secretary of the SSC Alumnae Association of Manila.

During the reunion, Naty Crame Rogers, one of our finest dramatic actresses, read from Leonor Orosa Goquingco’s theater piece “My Son, Jose Rizal”. As Doña Teodora, Rizal’s mother, Naty moved the listeners to tears with her profoundly touching performance.

Earlier, the new building beside St. Cecilia’s Hall was inaugurated with Dean of Music Sr. Mary Placid Abejo in attendance. Another significant event was the installation of Sr. Mary Thomas del Prado, OSB, as the 18th president of SSC. She succeeds Sr. Angelica Leviste.