More than just music to the ears in Odin Rathnam, Mariel Ilusorio concert

Violinist Odin Rathnam and pianist Mariel Ilusorio

While heavy rain poured over Metro Manila, I found myself delighted by the music performed by violinist Odin Rathnam and pianist Mariel Ilusorio at a benefit concert that was held recently at the St. Cecilia's Hall in St. Scholastica's College, Manila. 

The concert, billed as Music & Healing, served as a fund raiser for the World Surgical Foundation Philippines whose founder, Domingo Alvear, happens to be friends with Odin for around two decades already. During his opening remarks, Alvear revealed his surprise upon learning that Odin has already performed here a few times in in here including a couple of guests stints with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. This meant that having Odin back in the country once again all for a good cause was a no-brainer.

Violinist Odin Rathnam

Annotations from both Mariel and Odin provided superb introductions to each piece which was of great use for those who aren't familiar with the music. As for those who knew their music, the information provided not just context but added layer to the music and the performance.

This was why while listening to the performance of Jean-Marie Leclair's Violin Sonata in D major, Op. 9 No. 3 "Tombeau", a piece from the Baroque era, made me imagine how it was back then being a court musician playing for the enjoyment of royalty. The following piece, Claude Debussy's Violin Sonata in G minor L. 140, which was quite a departure from the Leclair, fascinated me knowing each note was written by a man who knew that his end was near. Those who know me can attest to my unusual interest in last compositions especially those written with the knowledge that this was going to be their final work before dying.

There was a sense of reverence when Odin performed Eugène Ysaÿe's Violin Sonata in D minor, Op 27 No. 3 "Ballade", a fiendishly difficult piece that Odin considers himself to be a grandson of some sort since one of his former teachers, Josef Gringold, premiered this work.

The marital life of Richard Strauss got me curious with his Violin Sonata in E flat major, Op. 18, especially the 2nd movement that expressed his feelings towards Pauline de Anna who would later one become his wife. I also appreciated knowing that this was his last chamber work before composing solely larger, orchestral works afterwards. The contrasts between the intimate, tender moments with the heroic ones made up for a stimulating listening experience. And this was made possible by the wonderful annotations by Mariel that complemented Odin's extensive program notes.

Pianist Mariel Ilusorio

To the delight of the audience, the duo performed two encores, Nicanor Abelardo's Cavatina and Debussy's Claire de lune. I wondered how much awareness did Mariel have while accompanying Odin with the Debussy encore. With the violin taking on the melody, I would've struggled having to accompany on the piano a stripped version of a popular piece.

A nice bit of trivia is that this concert saw the Asian debut of the "Lady Caren" violin, a bench copy of a 1755 Calvarola crafted by master American luthier Scott W. Hershey.

The concert was indeed a night filled not just with music to the ears, but also information that enriched my brain as well. Most importantly, the event raised funds for the World Surgical Foundation Philippines benefitting the needy who couldn't afford surgical procedures that can vastly improve and even save their lives.