A French afternoon with Pressivos wind quartet

Pressivos

In less than three years, the Old Sacristy tucked behind the more than four centuries-old San Bartolome Church in Malabon has become the surprise classical music performance venue in Metro Manila. Through the invaluable support of the Diocese of Kalookan, the city government, and the Malabon residents themselves led by Atty. Mochet Lucas, musicians have found an intimate space where they can perform for the public rarely programmed chamber music.

The latest recital featured the Pressivos wind quintet, with members Raymond Sarreal (flute), Franz Ramirez (oboe), Hernan Manalastas (clarinet), Lester Pascua (bassoon), and Earvin Rosacay (French horn) presenting an all-French chamber music program.

The quintet, composed mainly of UP College of Music alumni, performed Jacques Ibert's Trois Pièces brèves, Adolphe Deslandres' Trois Pièces en quintette, and Claude Debussy's Petite Suite, L 65. and going local with Eduardo Parungao's Philippine Airs Medley for their encore with oboist Ramirez giving brief annotations to familiarize the various instruments and pieces to an audience, majority of whom are Malabon residents, who do not frequent the concert halls.

Raymond Sarreal, Hernan Manalastas, Earvin Rosacay, Lester Pascua,
and Franz Ramirez

The recital was short and sweet but it transported the audience to the tranquil and serene spots in France, a welcome change after the torrential rains and high tides that have flooded the city the week before.

The Pressivos' performance marked the third of the four planned recitals at the Old Sacristy. The fourth and final recital of the year is scheduled for late November.

Mariel Ilusorio, Shiho Takashima, Franz Ramirez concert enchants Malabon

Shiho Takashima, Mariel Ilusorio, and Franz Ramirez

The city of Malabon is fast becoming a cultural haven as the San Bartolome Parish, more specifically the Diocesan Archives and Museum at the Old Sacristy, once again played host to a chamber music concert this time around that featured pianist Mariel Ilusorio, violinist Shiho Takashima, and cor anglais player Franz Ramirez.

Previous performances held at the San Bartolome Parish that were part of the Cultural Center of the Philippines' outreach program tours had programs that leaned towards light classical and mainstream music fare that was more accessible to casual audiences. But these trio of artists, went the other route and performed pieces that demanded more from the audience.

Franz Ramirez and Mariel Ilusorio

The opening piece, Robert Schumann's Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70, saw Franz and Mariel showcase the contrasting moods of the two movements. This piece probably gave some audience members their first encounter with the mellow sounding cor anglais/English horn which is rarely seen in chamber music performances compared to the more familiar oboe.

Some elderly women tried to discreetly wipe their eyes, not wanting their seatmates to know that they most likely teared up as Shiho and Mariel gave a spine tingling rendition of Jules Massenet's very popular Méditation from Thaïs.

Mariel Ilusorio

Mariel, who also provided background information prior to each performance, had her spotlight with a confident reading of L'Isle joyeuse, expressing the various waves of emotions that composer Claude Debussy had put into the showcase piece

Shiho Takashima and Mariel Ilusorio 

The dark character of Camille Saint-Saëns' Danse macabre had Shiho demonstrating clarity in her double stops and also power that belies her tiny frame.

The trio then joined forces for a performance of the 3rd movement of the Trio for Violin, English Horn, and Piano, Op. 14 by Donald Francis Tovey. In this configuration, the cor anglais/English horn plays the part that could also be played by the viola. This resulted in fascinating colors and textures especially in the passages where the cor anglais played in tandem with the violin.

With only the 3rd movement performed, this section felt too short. The performance of the entire Tovey trio could've given the concert more meat considering that the entire performance only lasted about an hour. It is certainly a piece worthy of listening to again. Sadly, searches for existing recordings in streaming platforms have come up empty.

Mariel Ilusorio 

Despite the longing for more Tovey, there is not that much to ask for with this concert that was generously hosted by the San Bartolome Parish considering that this was born out of the trio's desire for a venue in which to perform the piece that they have been practicing.

Surprisingly, quite a number of concert regulars, including a handful of musicians from the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, made the trip to Malabon to catch this chamber concert. It would no longer be a surprise if these visiting musicians put Malabon on the cultural map once again when it is their turn to perform at the San Bartolome Parish's Old Sacristy.

Second Movement of Sonata Serye continues at Lourdes College

October 5, 2013, 7:00 PM

Lourdes College Auditorium

Lourdes College, Cagayan de Oro

Featuring:

Franz Ramirez, oboe

Anjo Inacay, cello

Jed Balsamo, piano

The Lourdes College in Cagayan de Oro presents the Second Movement: Tulo-tulo of its first Sonata Serye on October 5, 2013, 7:00 PM at the newly-airconditioned Lourdes College Auditorium. This concert will feature oboist Franz Ramirez, cellist Anjo Inacay and composer-pianist Jed Balsadmo.

One of the highlights for this evening will be the debut performance of National Artists Lucio San Pedro and Levi Celerio’s Sa Ugoy ng Duyan for cello and piano arranged by Balsamo. The concert will also have the world premiere of ‘Da Nao by Gian Gianan who composed the music for Sapi, a film by Brillante Mendoza that recently premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Franz Ramirez is the youngest principal player of the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra. Anjo Inacay, on the other hand, is the principal cellist of the Manila Symphony Orchestra and also a member of the band Silent Sanctuary. Born in Cagayan de Oro and now based in Manila, Jed Balsamo is currently the resident music director of Ballet Philippines. Lourdes College Music Department faculty member John Paul Cabelin and Ana dela Fuente, Chair of the Music Department, will be special guests for this evening.

The First Movement: Duha-duha featured Aliw-awardee soprano Camille Lopez-Molina, tenor Eugene de los Santos who is now Assistant Dean of the UST Conservatory of Music, and pianist Ana dela Fuente. Upcoming performances of the Sonata Serye include the Third Movement: Mga Anak ni San Pedro happening on November 22, 2013 to commemorate Lucio San Pedro’s centennial anniversary of his birth. This concert will feature pianist Nita Abrogar-Quinto and the LC Chorale. The Fourth Movement: Katha Dinhi, Kanta Didto happens on February 11, 2014 which will showcase the LC Grade School Glee Club, LC High School Glee Club, LC Faculty Choir and the LC Chorale.

The Sonata Serye, conceptualized by Jed Balsamo, is co-presented by BMW and Peugeot.

For inquiries:

(088) 857-1427 local 125, (0916) 548-5673, lc@lccdo.edu.ph