Gibson, Can: Fire with Fire/ Argentine Films April 4-27/ String Quartet in concert

Only another conductor could have understood why visiting Mark Gibson conducted without a baton for Bizet’s Jeux d’Enfants but wielded one for Saint-Saens’ Violin Concerto No. 3 in B Minor and Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloe in the recent CCP concert.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, larger in size, numbered 90 with guests from the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra and flutist David J. Johnson, Clarion Chamber Ensemble founder and program annotator.

From the bigger PPO, Gibson inevitably drew fuller sounds, their colors remarkably rich, sonorous and cohesive. The outsider (like this reviewer) can’t surmise just how long Gibson and the PPO rehearsed; the rendition of Jeux d’Enfants was eloquently descriptive; e.g., Trumpet and Drum was brisk, percussively martial; The Doll, delightfully melodious and playful; The Top evoking rapidly revolving figures; Husband and Wife conveying a domestic dialogue, the violins (the wife) “conversing” with the cellos (the husband). With the strings, winds, brasses and percussions duly honed, Gibson marshalled them expansively with consistent firmness, vigor and vibrancy.

I can’t recall any other violinist, within recent memory, matching the superb mastery of Chinese violinist Gao Can, soloist for the Saint-Saens concerto. His energetic, forceful bowing producing luminous, shimmering tones, he played the pyrotechnic passages with unequalled intensity, passion and fire, his cadenza burning with ardor. Gibson’s own panache as he led the PPO met fire with fire. Indeed, conductor and violinist could have caused a conflagration! Again, Can dazzled the audience with the first movement of Ysaye’s Sonata No. 5 for an encore.

Clarity and symmetry of arrangement, economy of means, sheer rhythmical and orchestral effects in Daphnis et Chloe have made it one of Ravel’s most brilliant and exciting works. Reflecting these qualities, Gibson’s brio was what the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo dancers would have heartily welcomed for Fokine’s  choreography.  Guided  by  the Maestro's fiery spirit, the PPO ravished the ear to the end of Ravel’s impressionistic music.

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From April 4 to 27, the Argentine Embassy and the Instituto Cervantes will present an Argentine Film Month consisting of varied and recent cinema productions characterized by visual richness and versatility.

The opening film on Thursday April 4, 7 pm will be “Everybody Has a Plan” starring international actor Viggo Mortensen. The series will continue each Saturday at 2 pm with the following: “Sidewalls” April 6, “Widows” April 13, “The Last Elvis” April 20 and “The Other” April 27.

All films will be in their orginal Spanish version with English subtitles. Venue will be the Instituto Cervantes auditorium on T. Kalaw St., Ermita. The films are open to the public with no admission charge.

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The Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation will present the premier performance of a new string quartet named “Quartetto Espressivo” at the Ayala Museum on April 17, 7 pm.

First and second violinists Christian Tan and Sara Maria Gonzales, violist Ray Casey Concepcion and cellist Gerry Graham Gonzales will render Tchaikovsky’s first String Quartet and Verdi’s only String Quartet.

Tchaikovsky’s composition is regarded  the first major great Russian string quartet. Its second movement was based on a folk song the composer heard whistled by a house painter. Performed as a tribute to Leo Tolstoy, the Quartet reportedly brought him to tears.

Verdi’s String Quartet will be played as a tribute to him on his birth bi-centennial.