ABS-CBN’s Sundown Serenade

ABS-CBN’s “Sundown Serenade” at Ayala Museum had select Philharmonic Orchestra members performing as separate chamber ensembles, with Gerard Salonga giving illuminating observations before each number rather than conducting.

The widely diverse program consisted of Rheinberger’s Nonette for winds and strings, Vivaldi’s Concerto for Four Violins in B Minor (2nd and 3rd movements), Beethoven’s Piano Trio in B Flat, Schubert’s intensely dark, sad, gloomy String Quartet “Death and the Maiden” (Allegro), Haydn’s Piano Trio in C, Bolling’s Suite for Flute and Piano, Brahms’ Piano Quartet in F Minor and Malcolm Arnold’s Quintet for Brass whose three movements had a marvelous blending of sounds. This observation could not apply to Rheinberger’s Nonette wherein the timber of the winds contrasted gratingly with that of the strings.

The works of Vivaldi, Beethoven and Brahms each distinctively conveyed vitality, vibrance and spirit. Bolling’s Suite was an exciting, intriguing inter-action between quirky jazz and lyrical classic music, with Angelo Mateo as admirable flutist.

Others who shone were pianists Jesper Colleen Mercado and Celia Narzo-Cañabiral who also played the cello, cellists Eduardo Pasamba and Patrick Sanchez, and violinist Chona Noble.

Displaying, high proficiency were violinists Ralph W. Taylan, Rodel N. Lorenzo and Michelle Andraderick Pineda, Claudia Berenger and Albert Magcalas (viola), Joji Magadia (double bass), Jorge San Jose (drums), Robert de Pano and Javier San Jose (trumpet), Romeo San Jose (trombone), Jose J. Andia (tuba), Paolo Alcantara (contrabass), Benjamin Velasco Jr. (flute), Franz M. Ramirez (oboe), Frenvee Andra (bassoon), Nepthalie Villanueva (horn), Reineza Santos, Roxanne Gutierrez, Czarina E. Hipolito and Michelle P. Roque-Bonaobra (violin).

Although “Sundown Serenade” was overlong, it was an engaging and enlightening introduction to chamber music as interpreted by seasoned talents.