Master pianist Sofya Gulyak returns to Manila for solo concert

May 31, 2014, 8:00 PM

Francisco Santiago Hall

South Tower, BDO Corporate Center

Makati

Featuring:

Sofya Gulyak, piano

Programme:

Richard Wagner transcribed by Franz Liszt Pilgrim's Chorus from Tannhauser, S. 443

Franz Liszt Transcendental Études No. 12 in B flat minor Chasse-Neige, S.139

Frédéric Chopin Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante in E flat major, Op. 22

Modest Musssorgsky Pictures at an Exibition

Russian pianist Sofya Gulyak returns once again to Manila for another concert happening this May 31, 2014, 8:00 PM at the Francisco Santiago Hall located at the South Tower of the BDO Corporate Center in Makati.

In this concert, Sofya Gulyak will perform Franz Liszt’s transcription of Richard Wagner's Pilgrim's Chorus from Tannhauser, S. 443 and Transcendental Études No. 12 in B flat minor Chasse-Neige, S.139, Frédéric Chopin Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante in E flat major, Op. 22, and Modest Musssorgsky Pictures at an Exibition

It’s been more than a year since Gulyak, the 2009 Leeds International Piano Competition winner last performed in Manila. This upcoming performance will be her third solo concert. She has performed both piano concertos of Brahms with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra back in 2012 and 2013.

Ticket prices:

P1000 Orchestra

P600 Balcony

For inquiries:

ROS Music Center 440-1021, (0906) 523-2421

TicketWorld 891-9999

Spanish duo performs flamenco music at the CCP

 Pianist Rosa Torres-Pardo
and flamenco singer Rocío Márquez Limón

June 7, 2014, 7:30 PM

Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)

CCP Complex

Pasay, Metro Manila

Featuring:

Rocío Márquez Limón, vocal

Rosa Torres-Pardo, piano

The Embassy of Spain in the Philippines and the Cultural Center of the Philippines present Suite Española (Spanish Suite), an original performance which combines classical music and flamenco singing in search of a common ground, on June 7 at 7:30 PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater), Cultural Center of the Philippines, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. Admission is free.

In Suite Española, a classical pianist and a flamenco singer mix piano scores with flamenco songs in search of a better understanding of that evolution, exploring both worlds, looking for their roots and freely interpreting the compositions of Granados, Albéniz and Falla.

Suite Española is performed by flamenco singer Rocío Márquez Limón and classical pianist Rosa Torres-Pardo, two Spanish artists who have successfully performed the show in Spain and for the very first time in Asia, from Tokyo to Manila.

Rosa Torres-Pardo was born in Madrid, Spain. She received the Masterplayers Award in Lugano, Switzerland in 1986 and she successfully debuted at the Teatro Real de Madrid in 1987, performing Sergei Prokofiev´s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26 with the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra. She has worked with several orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with conductors such us Spivakov, Dutoit, Fournet, Vasary and Termikanov in auditoriums like Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington, the Wigmore Hall and Sadlers Wells in London, the St. Petersburg Philharmonia and the Konzerthaus in Berlin and Knopf Music Halle in Hamburg.

Rocío Márquez Limón was born in Huelva, Spain in 1985. She began singing since she was a child but started receiving formal training at the age of 9. She has performed at the Olympia in Paris, the International Auditorium in Brussels, the Dusseldorf Opera House, the Sete Sóis Sete Luas Festival in Oeiras, Portugal, Mohammed V National Theater in Rabat, and the Silk Road Festival in Damascus. One of her latest projects is the recording of La Vida Breve (Short Life) of Manuel de Falla with the Spanish National Orchestra.

Ticket price:

Invitational

For inquiries:

Embassy of Spain in the Philippines' Cultural Department 817-9997, 817-6676, emb.manila.ofc@maec.es, emb.manila@maec.es

World champion Pockemon Crew dances the story of cinema

May 28, 2014, 8:00 PM

Samsung Hall

SM Aura Premier, Taguig

The Alliance française de Manille and SM Aura Premier, with the support of the Embassy of France, present Silence, on tourne ! And… Action!, the new performance of Hip Hop Dance World Champion Pockemon Crew on May 28, 8:00 PM at the Samsung Hall of the SM Aura Premier.

The Pockemon Crew returns to the Philippines with their newest creation with 9 dancers, exploring two worlds they love: Cinema and the origins of hip-hop movements. Silence on tourne! is also a glimpse of their home city, Lyon, where cinema was invented by the Lumière Brothers at the end of 19th century. The black and white cinema embellished by this colorful dance inspires this performance.

Through sets and costumes inspired by classical film studios, the dancers bring the audience in a dance and musical journey with impressive physical prowess. The show manages to convey the unifying power that made the success of American musical choreography during the time of Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen. It features a series of acts accompanied by a soundtrack and a lighting stage design reminiscent of Broadway and the golden age of Hollywood musical films.

As a tribute to cinema and the journey towards modern times, this new creation looks back to the origins of Hip Hop in New York in the 40’s. Silence, on tourne ! is a performance that lives up to the reputation of the Pockemon Crew, a company in the constant quest for exploration and the discovery of new dimensions.

The Pockemon Crew began in 1996-1997, when the dancers were training at the plaza of the Lyon Opera. They performed as a professional group of break dancers for 15 years. Since then, they have won several Hip Hop Competitions at national and international levels: the French Champion in Hip Hop dance in 2003 and 2008, the European Champion in 2004 and 2012 and the World Champion in 2003 and 2006. Today, the Pockemon Crew is a resident dance company at the Opera of Lyon.

Silence, on tourne ! And… Action! is organized by the Alliance française de Manille and SM Aura Premier, with the support of the Embassy of France to the Philippines and our official media partner, Solar News Channel. This event is part of the yearly French cultural program, FrancoPhil, with events that include the 19^th French Film Festival, the Quatuor Parisii String Quartet concert, and the Fête de la Musique in June and the Tête d’enfant Modern Circus performance in October.

Ticket prices:

P500 Orchestra

P400 Balcony
-20% discount for AFM students and AFM members and groups of at least 20 persons

For inquiries:

Sabrina Durand, AFM Cultural Coordinator 895-7585, 895-7441, sabrina@alliance.ph

SM Tickets 470-2222

Philippine premiere of Sarmientos' marimba concerto opens Filfest's 2014 Season

May 31, 2014, 8:00 PM

Insular Life Auditorium

Insular Life Tower

Filinvest, Alabang

Featuring:

Dena Fernandez, marimba

Manila Symphony Orchestra

Ruggero Barbieri, conductor

Programme:

Giacomo Puccini La tregenda from Le Villi

Joaquín Turina Orgía from Danzas fantásticas, Op. 22

Jorge Sarmientos Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra No. 1, Op. 20

Antonín Dvořák Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, B. 178, From the New World

Camille Saint-Saëns Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah, Op. 47

Nino Rota Symphonic Suite

Arturo Márquez Danzón No. 2

Nicanor Abelardo Mutya ng Pasig

The Filfest Cultural Foundation and Insular Life opens its 2014 season with the Philippine debut performance of a marimba concerto featuring marimbist Dena Fernandez and the Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Ruggero Barbieri happening on May 31, 2014, 8:00 PM at the Corporate Centre Auditorium of Insular Life Tower in Filinvest, Alabang.

The marimba concerto to be premiered in this concert was composed by Guatemala’s National Artist Jorge Sarmientos, considered as one of the most important composers hailing from South America. Aside from the marimba concerto, the evening’s program also includes Giacomo Puccini’s La tregenda from Le Villi, Joaquín Turina’s Orgía from Danzas fantásticas, Op. 22, Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, B. 178, From the New World, Camille Saint-Saëns’ Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah, Op. 47, Nino Rota’s Symphonic Suite, Arturo Márquez’ Danzón No. 2, Nicanor Abelardo’s Mutya ng Pasig.

This concert is presented by Filfest Cultural Foundation and Insular Life in cooperation with San Miguel Corporation, Rustan’s, Vivere Hotel, Contis and Philippine Italian Association.

Ticket prices:

P1000 Orchestra Center

P800 Orchestra Side

For inquiries:

Marie (0917) 817-7261, (0918) 941-9472, 585-3823

Pianist Lorenzo Medel presents night of classical piano recital

May 24, 2014, 7:30 PM

Brother Rafael Donato Center for the Performing Arts

La Salle Greenhills

Featuring:

Lorenzo Medel, piano

Jourdann Petalver, piano

Programme:

Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in C minor, Hob. XVI:20

Johann Sebastian Bach transcribed by Ferruccio Busoni Chaconne in D minor, BWV 1004

Igor Stravinsky Firebird

Felix Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25

Expectations are high for piano prodigy Lorenzo Medel in his upcoming solo piano recital this May 24, 2014, 7:30 PM at the Brother Rafael Donato Center for Performing Arts in La Salle Greenhills. This recital will be his first since completing his first year of studies at the Eastman School of Music in New York under the Russian pedagogue Professor Natalya Antonova.

In this concert, Lorenzo will be performing Franz Joseph Haydn’s Sonata in C minor, Hob. XVI:20, Ferruccio Busoni’s transcription of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Chaconne in D minor, BWV 1004, Igor Stravinsky’s Firebird and Felix Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25 with Jourdann Petalver assisting him.

Lorenzo was born in Manila in 1995 and began his piano studies in 2006 at age 10 under Prof. Mauricia Borromeo of the University of the Philippines, College of Music.  He is currently into his Bachelor of Music, Major in Piano Performance at the Eastman School, University of Rochester in New York and will be an incoming sophomore on September 2014. He has won top prizes in various piano competitions here in the Philippines like the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) and he became the country’s representative at the first Steinway Youth Piano Competition regional finals held in Singapore back in 2012.

For tickets and other inquiries:

0917-891-7979 or 716-1854, enzopiano@yahoo.com

Pianist Albert Tiu channels the four elements in MCO Foundation's 2014 Season opener

June 6, 2014, 7:00 PM

Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street

Greenbelt Park, Makati

Featuring:

Albert Tiu, piano

Programme:

Franz Liszt Waldesrauschen from Two Concert Études, S. 145

Sergei Rachmaninoff Lilacs, Op. 21, No. 5

Roger Quilter arranged by Stephen Hough The Fuschia Tree

Leopold Godowsky The Gardens of Buitenzorg from Java Suite

Claude Debussy Les collines d’Anacapri from Préludes Book I

Franz Liszt Transcendental Étude No. 11 in D flat, Harmonies du Soir, S.139

Claude Debussy Le vent dans la plaine from Préludes Book I

Charles Griffes The Night Winds from Three Tone-Pictures, Op. 5

Jacques Ibert Le vent dans les ruines

Olivier Messiaen Prélude No. 8 Un reflet dans le vent

Claude Debussy Reflets dan l’eau from Images 1, L. 110

Federico Mompou Paisajes II. El Lago

Luciano Berio Wasserklavier

Franz Liszt Les jeux d'eaux à la Villa d'Este from Années de pèlerinage III, S.163

Maurice Ravel Jeux d’eau

Richard Wagner transcribed by Louis Brassin Magic Fire Music from Die Walküre

Claude Debussy Feux d’artifice from Préludes Book II

Erik Satie Sports et divertissements No. 20 Feu d'artifice 

Alexander Scriabin Vers la flame, Op. 72

Manuel de Falla Ritual Fire Dance

The MCO Foundation’s 2014 Season, in celebration of their 29^th year opens with a performance by pianist Albert Tiu in a concert entitled Four Classical Elements – Earth, Wind, Fire and Water happening on June 6, 2014, 7:00 PM at the Ayala Museum in Makati.

Tiu will present an adventurous concert representing the four elements namely air, wind, water and fire through the works of Franz Liszt, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Roger Quilter, Leopold Godowsky, Claude Debussy, Charles Griffes, Jacques Ibert, Olivier Messiaen, Federico Mompo, Luciano Berio, Maurice Ravel, Richard Wagner, Erik Satie, Alexander Scriabin and Manuel de Falla.

One of the most highly respected Filipino pianists today, Albert Tiu is a winner of numerous high profile piano competitions including the Honens (Calgary), the Paloma O’Shea (Santander), Maj Lind (Helsinski) and UNISA (Pretoria). He was the first Filipino to be invited to perform with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic in Moscow.  Some of the orchestras he has performed with were the Hamburg Symphony, Finnish Radio Symphony, Northern Sinfonia, and Baden Baden Philharmonic. He has performed in major music halls including Carnegie Weill Recital Hall in New York, Finlandia Hall in Helsinski,  Hamburg Musikhalle, Lincoln Center Tully Hall, Great Philharmonic Hall in Moscow; and his performances have been broadcast on WQXR New York, CBC Canada, BBC, ABC Australia. Albert Tiu along with cellist Li-Wei Qin has also released recordings of Beethoven and Rachmaninoff cello sonatas under Decca Classics label.

The Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation, Inc. is a non-stock, non-profit institution first established in 1985 dedicated to the promotion of classical music and the cultural arts. Four Classical Elements – Earth, Wind, Fire and Water is made possible in partnership with Ayala Museum, Lyric Piano, BusinessWorld, HerWord, and HighLife. Proceeds from this concert will benefit a church-based foundation for abandoned and abused children.

Four Classical Elements – Earth, Wind, Fire and Water is the MCO Foundation’s first Great Performance Series for their 2014 Concert Season. The series continue with Mostly Mozart 2014 this July 11, 2014, 8:00 PM at the Tektite Tower Auditorium. This concert will feature Singaporean conductor Darrell Ang, tenor Arthur Espiritu, pianist Christine Coyiuto and the Manila Symphony Orchestra. Then it’s the young ones’ turn for the Young Artists Series. This year’s line up includes Filipino-American violinist Bradley Bascon on July 28, 2014, soprano Stephanie Aguilar on August 20, 2014, pianist Gabriel Allan Paguirigan on September 17, 2014 and clarinetist Andrew Constantino on October 8, 2014. All performances will be held at the Ayala Museum at 7:00 PM.

Ticket prices:

P2000 Orchestra Premier

P1000 Orchestra

P800 Regular

For inquiries:

MCO Foundation 750-0768, (0920) 954-0053

CAEO 782-7164, (0918) 347-3027

TicketWorld 891-9999

Paraguayan guitarist Berta Rojas to perform in Manila and Cebu

May 15, 2014, 8:00 PM

Meralco Theater

Ortigas Avenue

Pasig City

May 17, 2014, 8:00 PM

Marcelo Fernan Hall

Lahug, Cebu

Featuring:

Berta Rojas

Ramoncito Carpio

Triple Fret

Internationally renowned guitarist Berta Rojas stayed up late past midnight in her home country of Paraguay in order to have a video conference with members of the press who had just finished lunch halfway round the world in the Philippines. Eloquent and insightful, Berta graciously answered questions that were thrown at her but what really got through me was when she said that while there is distance (both time and space) between us, we can still be connected through music.

Guitarist Berta Rojas

Thankfully, classical guitar music lovers in the Philippines can get a lot closer to Berta Rojas as she will have a couple of performances in the country. Her first concert will be on May 15, 2014, 8:00 PM at the Meralco Theater and then she flies over to Cebu for her second concert on May 17, 2014, 8:00 PM at the Marcelo Fernan Hall in Lahug. Before her concerts, she will share her expertise with top guitar students in Metro Manila at a master class on May 14, 2014, 3:00 PM at the Cedar Room of the Richmonde Hotel Ortigas.

Special guests for her Manila concert include local guitarist Ramoncito Carpio who has won numerous prizes in guitar competitions here and abroad, and Triple Fret, an all female guitar trio composed of Marga Abejo, Jenny de Vera, and Iqui Vinculado who are reaching a wider audience with their contemporary-classical guitar repertoire.

Triple Fret's Jenny de Vera, Iqui Vinculado, Marga Abejo, and Ramoncito Carpio

During the press conference held at the Richmonde Hotel, I learned that Berta Rojas is the most popular musician in her country which is very unusual for a classical guitarist. Her popularity has made her become the tourism ambassador, promoting Paraguay through her music. She also shared to the press her admiration for Paraguayan guitarist-composer Agustin Barrios Mangoré, who served as a huge inspiration in her life and was the reason why she chose to play the guitar in the first place.

I’m really looking forward not just to see her live performance but also her master class. I was very impressed with her during the brief video conference that I really got curious to see how she would impart her knowledge regarding technique and musicality at the master class. And I’ve always preferred attending a master class before watching the performance because it gives me a glimpse of the artist in a different setting making me appreciate the eventual performance more.

Berta Rojas’ concerts and master class in the Philippines is presented by Independent Philippine Art Ventures, Inc. (Ipav). Incorporated late last year by a group of musicians and music lovers, IPav aims to promote classical music and arts, with a focus on classical guitar through concerts, workshops, and tutorials. Richmonde Hotel Ortigas is the official residence of Berta Rojas in Manila.

Ticket prices:

P3000 Orchestra Center (Front)

P2500 Orchestra Center/Orchestra Side (Front)

P2000 Orchestra Side (Middle)

P1500 Orchestra Side (Back)

P1000 Loge

P500 Balcony

For inquiries:

TicketWorld 891-9999