The Pianist's Pianist

Cecile Licad, Gerard Salonga and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

Featuring:

Cecile Licad, piano

ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

Gerard Salonga, conductor

Programme:

Ludwig van Beethoven Overture from Egmont Op. 84

Franz Liszt

     Symphonic Poem No. 2 Tasso, Lamento e Trionfo, S. 96

     Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, S. 124

Camille Saint-Saëns Danse Macabre Op. 40

Franz Liszt Totentanz S. 126

The pieces may have dealt primarily with death but the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) was brimming with life, vigor and excitement when Cecile Licad joined forces with Gerard Salonga and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra at the successful The Pianist’s Pianist concert. Concertgoers completely ignored the threat of a typhoon and the possibility of heavy rains (and getting stranded as well) and trooped to the Cultural Center of the Philippines to see this much anticipated performance.

The concert started with a very familiar Overture from Egmont Op. 84 by Ludwig van Beethoven which the orchestra played before during their Kapamilya Concert: Intro to the Classics. Since this is the orchestra’s first major concert featuring a classical repertoire, it was fitting that they opened the performance with an accessible piece such as this starting with powerful chords and building towards its triumphant final note. But the next piece, Franz Liszt’s Symphonic Poem No. 2 Tasso, Lamento e Trionfo, S. 96, was something that is not familiar to me. This program music, about the drama filled life of the poet Torquato Tasso was a bit difficult to listen to considering its length, unusual structure and my unfamiliarity with Tasso in the first place. I do find symphonic poems more challenging to listen to compared to traditional symphonies that are divided in several movements. I believe that most in the audience also wanted this piece done and over with so that they could finally see Cecile Licad.

When I learned about the programme for this concert, the idea of having Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, S. 124 didn’t thrill me at all. I got sick and tired of the piece when it was played numerous times back in 2011 in celebration of Liszt’s bicentennial anniversary of his birth. And I think that just two years after that is too soon for me to want to listen to it again. But Cecile Licad is Cecile Licad and I would want to watch her even if she plays just major and minor scales. As expected, Licad’s Liszt lived up to expectations of being filled with explosive fireworks and dazzling virtuosity. I got a bit nervous towards the end when she surged ahead of the orchestra which I think couldn’t be helped when one plays this Liszt concerto.

The program music that started the second half, Camille Saint-Saëns’ Danse Macabre Op. 40, was more to my liking compared to the Liszt piece played earlier. This soaring waltz brought to mind images of a ghastly cotillion inside a ballroom during Halloween. For a piece that is about the dead “rising” at midnight to dance, this piece sounded so lively and appealing with a neat solo violin played by concertmaster Ralph Taylan.

I believe that among pianists, it was Liszt’s Totentanz S. 126, a piece that many haven’t seen performed live before was the main reason why they watched the concert. An aggressive, penetrating, wildly animated and no hold barred Totentanz was exhibited by Licad and the orchestra. This was when I realized that the two pieces that made up the second half of the concert was about the dead dancing and Licad wore green which is considered as the color of life which was how she played throughout the concert. But too much bravura would be overwhelming for me. Thankfully, Licad chose to slow things down with a tender encore which was the second movement of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23. This piece she dedicated to Van Cliburn who passed away some months ago. Cliburn was the first ever winner of the International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition and this victory by an American in Moscow during the height of the Cold War made headlines back then. The audience, as expected, wouldn’t settle for just one encore and Licad obliged with two fun pieces by Louis Moreau Gottschalk: Manchega, Étude de concert Op. 38 and one that I failed to recognize.

The Pianist’s Pianist was the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra’s debut performance at the CCP and also their first major concert featuring a classical repertoire. The event was well attended and well received with no other than Rep. Imelda Marcos in attendance. Her presence at the lobby after the concert almost stole the spotlight from Cecile Licad. As to what’s next for the orchestra, they will return once again to the CCP as they play The Magical Music of Disney happening on September 28, 2013. So bring the whole family as I bring out my Mickey Mouse ears for this concert.

Text by RAd

Photo by Patrick Uy