Sunico highlights QC concert

MANILA, Philippines - The dinner-concert inaugurating Lily Monteverde’s elegant Valencia Hall was highlighted by Raul Sunico’s rendition of Liszt’s two legends: St. Francis of Assisi Preaching to the Birds and St. Francis de Paul Walking Over the Waves. Liszt’s works are often described as showy, bombastic, clever and stirring. But they require a virtuoso performance to be appreciated.

Although the legends do not inspire religious feelings despite their subjects, the interpretation by the celebrated international pianist awed and overwhelmed, his virtuosity, stamina and bravura delineating dramatic changes in rhythm, mood and dynamics through lush chords and runs endlessly covering the entire keyboard.

Guisseppe Pietro V. Arciwals, OP, delivered inspiring exhortations, and movingly sang his own beautiful religious composition “Touch Me Now.”

Bass Jun Francis Jarantilla’s power and impassioned expressivity enthralled in Silos’ Ang Langit sa Lupa. In their solos, sopranos Thea Perez, Nenen Espina and Elisanta Cortes, tenors Ronan Ferrer and Eugene de los Santos fell back on impressive skill to sustain top notes long, firmly, unwaveringly.

Bassoon player Adolfo Mendoza brilliantly captured the eccentricities of Piazolla’s Oblivion and Libertango. Dingdong Fiel, pianist, was a flawless, impeccable assisting artist.

For the finale, the ensemble — UST Conservatory faculty members — sang Pote’s Prayer of St. Francis and two Broadway hits, the tall Jarantilla visually towering over the rest and vocally soaring above their voices.

Paresto Café was the caterer.