A Coup for Ambassador Jess

German Ambassador Herbert D. Jess scored a veritable coup with his presentation of eminent pianists Ingrid Santamaria and Reynaldo Reyes at his residence, setting up two grand pianos in the living room for the special occasion.

The pianists, who have been proselytizing throughout the country for the 113th time on their "Romantic Music Journey"–often under the most trying conditions–interpreted Brahms’s Concerto No. 1 in D Minor and Liszt’s Concerto No. 1 in E Flat Major, with Ingrid as soloist and Reynaldo taking the orchestral part.

The audience was so impressed that its lusty applause led to an encore, the third movement of Rachmaninoff’s Second Concerto. All three works, formidable and highly daunting, were played so brilliantly that Ambassador Jess referred to the pianists as "two virtuosi" and to the event as something "that will long be remembered".

Music lovers heartily applauding included Tony and Chona Montinola–Tony was seen giving a hand to Ingrid each time she stepped down the improvised stage–Mexican Ambassador Enrique Hubbard and his pretty daughter, Clara Colesanti, wife of the Italian ambassador, Alfred and Enny Ching, Ramon Ilusorio, Florencio Campomanes, Ambassador Ralph Gonzales, Jimmy Laya, former Senator Letty R. Shahani, Tessie Luz, Erlinda Panlilio, Vangie Pascual and Frank Evaristo.

The ambassador’s charming wife Michelline handed bouquets to the pianists while the personable Cultural Attaché Hennine Hansen helped with the arrangements.

At cocktails, guests talked mostly about the remarkable performance of the duo pianists who have since left for engagements in Asia and the US. Bravo!