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| Gerard Salonga conducts the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra |
Ludwig
van Beethoven Overture from Egmont, Op.
84
Lucio
San Pedro Ang Buwan sa Kabundukan
Jean
Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor, Op.
47
Nikolai
Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade, Op. 35
A
few months ago, a violinist from the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra told me
that she was having a blast getting to play popular tunes and accompanying
local singers. I asked her afterwards how the orchestra will maintain its
technical sharpness considering that most popular fare are considered just a
walk in the park when played by classically trained musicians like her. She
responded that they would still perform the standard classical repertoire not
only to keep them on their toes technically but to also highlight the diversity
of their orchestra.
Now
having a string of successful and high profile performances under its belt, the
ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra felt that its time to show their audience what
classical music is all about. And this they just did when the orchestra had its
second Kapamilya Concert at the Dolphy Theater dubbed as Intro to the Classics. This concert was intended for ABS-CBN
employees only but Gerard Salonga, the orchestra’s music director and conductor,
along with Mickey Muñoz, the orchestra’s executive director, invited me to
watch this concert. I didn’t pass the chance since I really wanted to witness
how the newbie audience would react to an orchestra playing a classical
repertoire.
Thankfully,
Gerard prepared a very accessible and entertaining programme for that night.
The concert started with Ludwig van Beethoven’s Overture from Egmont, Op. 84, a
short yet lively piece that showcases the grandeur of an orchestra. Next performed
was Lucio San Pedro’s Ang Buwan sa Kabundukan, a programmatic piece that
attempts to describe through music the moon over the hills. While it contains
traces of an introspective nocturne, it did have a section wherein the night
gives way to some merrymaking.
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| Assistant Concertmaster Jonathan Livioco plays Sibelius |
Then,
the audience was introduced to the concept of a concerto. For this one,
Assistant Concertmaster Jonathan Livioco was the soloist in Jean Sibelius’
Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47. Unfortunately for me, only the first two
movements were played. The last piece that the orchestra played was
Scheherazade by Nikolai-Rimsky Korsakov, a popular orchestra piece that can be
a very good introduction to this kind of music for casual audiences. Again, I
found it unfortunate that the orchestra only played the last movement of this
piece. But I had to understand that I wasn’t the intended audience for this
concert. After the concert, Gerard and I discussed how the audience responded
positively with the pieces that they performed. And we both feel that they’re
now ready to experience a whole symphony/concerto in next editions of the
Kapamilya Concert.
ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra repeats John
Williams concert
Meralco
Theater
Featuring:
ABS-CBN
Philharmonic Orchestra
Gerard
Salonga, conductor
Jose
Mari Chan and Karylle
During
the Kapamilya Concert: Intro to the
Classics, Gerard Salonga jokingly said that since the audience was at their
behavior, he would reward them with an encore: music from Jurassic Park February 24, 2013 , 7:30
PM at the Meralco Theater.
Those
who missed it for the first time (and those who want to see it again), here’s
another chance to experience the splendor of John Williams’ music played live
by an orchestra. In case people still don’t know, John Williams, one of the
most popular composers right now, is the man responsible for the memorable
music featured in films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Jurassic Park
Crooner
Jose Mari Chan and the ever versatile Karylle join the orchestra as the
special guests for this concert. Karylle was the one who was initially
announced in the lineup of the first concert but it was Nikki Gil who
eventually got to perform there. If the programme remains the same, then it
will be very interesting to hear Karylle’s take.
One
of the memorable moments of the past concert was the participation of the 501st
Legion. The last concert had a surprise with the 501st Legion
joining the orchestra onstage with a Stormtrooper playing the bass drum to boot
during the Star Wars Suite. And now,
they will be joined by Hogwarts Philippines
which makes me think if the Harry Potter section will be made more prominent
this time around.
I highly
advise everyone watching to have their cameras ready for not only is
photography allowed during the actual concert, but taking photos along with
people in costume makes for very interesting souvenirs of this unique concert.
Ticket
Prices:
P2500 Orchestra Center
P2000
Orchestra Side
P1800 Loge Center
P1500
Loge Side
P500
Upper Balcony
For inquiries:
TicketNet
911-5555
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