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