Music on a Monday

Oliver Salonga in concert last night at the Ayala Museum lobby. He began with something very modern or 20th century (it had atonal and dissonant qualities), Samuel Barber's Piano Sonata in E-flat Minor, Op. 26, then moved without a break to Rachmaninoff's Etude Tableaux, Op. 33 and ended with the more traditional sounds of Franz Liszt's Reminiscences de Norma du Bellini. The Scarlatti sonata that he played as an encore really gripped my heart. It's the sort of music I like to cry along with, but it was a happy night so no tears, except for the thunderstorm that raged outside. Photo by Anna Leah Sarabia

From boy to big man of the piano, we've watched him grow to even teach us how the Rachmaninoff etudes "are not like Chopin etudes that target a specific technique for each etude. The etudes teach you to apply different techniques based on what's written with emphasis on the actual application rather than a mastery of a certain technical device." Photo by Anna Leah Sarabia

Oli triumphant. His friends from his Makiling years still like to call him "Berong," short for Keroberong or a Filipinized version of "Care Bear" because of his chubbiness. He's a graduate of the Philippine High School for the Arts in Laguna. He's winding up his Ph.D. studies in piano performance at the University of Southern California under Norman Krieger. Photo by Anna Leah Sarabia

At almost any recital in any venue, an appreciative audience that includes neurosurgeon and art patron Joven Cuanang and sculptor Julie Lluch likes to have a moment with the musical artist to hold his hand or hug him. As an aside, Julie is teaching herself to play the piano after she had her upright at home tuned up. Photo by Babeth Lolarga

"Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul." - Unknown

"...(M)usicians are willing to give their entire lives to a moment - to that melody, that lyric, that chord, or that interpretation that will stir the audience's soul. Musicians are beings who have tasted life's nectar in that crystal moment when they poured out their creative spirit and touched another's heart. In that instant, they were as close to magic, God, and perfection as anyone could ever be. And in their own hearts, they know that to dedicate oneself to that moment is worth a thousand lifetimes."-David Ackert, Los Angeles Times

The unknown author of that quote and Mr. Ackert I must thank profusely and publicly for giving me a good shove so I can recall in a semi-tranquil mood the times the musical "guns of August" fired and caused a pleasurable trembling in my soul. I've used an Ackert quote in a past blog about pianist Cecile Licad, but I keep coming back to it.

There's almost a "near-suicidal" quality to a true musician's playing. It's in the way they give their all to an elusive moment that will quickly become a memory for the listener unless everything, every nuance of a note or a gesture, is caught in an audio-video recording. Otherwise, there is nothing more exciting, more electrifying than being present in a live performance. Especially if it is someone like Oliver who I first watched at his farewell recital at the then PCIBank's Francisco Santiago Hall in Makati before he first left for his undergrad music studies in the States.

I've seen him at a tertulia at Odette Alcantara's Heritage House in Blue Ridge, Quezon City, where he attempted to do the folk ditty "Pamulinawen" as his encore piece. After repeated mistakes, he apologized and instead played a longer and more difficult Chopin piece. This has led to my impression that Oliver doesn't take the easier path. Gusto niya talagang pahirapan ang kanyang sarili.

And it's good for him. We, the audience, also benefit. I've also watched him play at the Baguio Country Club ballroom, at the former Kiss the Cook Gourmet at UP Village to kick off the Pablo Tariman-initiated Intimate Concert Series, at Abelardo Hall last year and then last night at a museum. Oliver is a life force, indeed, like the backdrop of paintings by Jana Benitez. Unsolicited advice from a concerned tita: Lose some of the weight. It may keep your stamina up.

The pictures tell of my latest experience of him better.

Thanks for putting this recital together, Ray Sison of ROS Music Center, Pablo Tariman of Music News and the Ayala Museum for opening up the lobby space on a Monday and a holiday (yesterday was the advanced celebration of National Heroes Day). Don't ever be discouraged by slight weather disturbances or the challenge of producing and marketing a recital.

When I think of contemporary heroes, politicians never cross my consciousness or my radar. It's always the authentic artists and tireless cultural workers who do. They are the ones who take the greater risks and make a nation truly proud and great. And people like me, a mere music fan, are grateful. Once again, Oliver, bravo!

To love and to honor 2 women

The outdoor party marking Julie Lluch's sexy eight birthday on March 5 was meant to be a surprise, according to the "conspirators" Aba, Issa and Kiri, the honoree's palangga. Trust their Mama or any Mama with an intuitive sense to notice suspicious moves weeks before The Day itself, including overhearing Kiri say, while making place cards, how hard it was to organize a "debut" for a mother.

Even before son-in-law Keith Sicat escorted Julie to Daisy Langenegger's garden, she already wore a knowing smile.


There's a sculptor on the cake.


With grandson Paris on her lap, Julie Lluch jokingly says about the white cake: "Be careful with that. It's a prickly heart."

It happened to be Ash Wednesday, too. Julie said the day reminded us all about our mortality, the ashes we were destined to become and how good it was to celebrate life "lovingly, lavishly under one sky."

One of the guests was Princess Nemenzo who even in her 70s remains a women's rights, women's health activist. No retirement in the horizon. That evening she regally carried her all-white hairdo folded into a soft perm. Another guest cited her resemblance to Bette Midler, recently seen at the Oscars singing "Wind Beneath My Wings." Still another dropped a hint of what was in store for her: "May araw ka rin!"

Meanwhile, another set of conspirators reminded guests at Julie's party about the surprise Women's Day (March 8) tribute for Princess. I like to tease her about the irony in her royal name and in her being a Marxist at the same time. The elaborate ruses and schemes were uncovered by the honoree herself--how could you make the Parangal kay Princess a top secret operation if you send the invite to an e-group of which she is part? Ayayay! But she was game and played along.

I walked on campus and reached the UP Executive House as the first of the summer sunsets was happening last Saturday. Stayed long enough to watch Princess make an entrance without a fuss and to slip a tribute package into her purse. Again, there was that knowing smile I had become familiar with since Wednesday.

Mabuhay, ladies! Continue being the feminist beacons that you are.

Princess also supports the arts, especially music and dance, particularly Pangalay. The classics and jazz appeal to her. Here she is with pianist Oliver Salonga after he performed Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21 at Abelardo Hall last year. Photos by Babeth Lolarga

The rare pleasure of their music

Diomedes Saraza Jr.'s encore piece, "Sana'y Wala Ng Wakas," was a contrast to the more modern,  rarely heard played live Violin Concerto No. 2 in B Minor, Sz. 112 by Bartok. It had Saturday's Abelardo Hall audience swooning. Arturo Molina conducted the Manila Symphony Orchestra.

The breathing of pianist Oliver Salonga while interpreting Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21, was audible. Every inhale-exhale seemed to signify a musical phrase or note drawn from the depths of his being.

Flush from the Baguio Writers Group's recognition at the Gawad Pambansang Alagad Balagtas, members Grace Subido, Frank Cimatu and the blogger treated themselves to a concert in the company of sculptor Julie Lluch and writer Jenny Llaguno.

Salonga with a concert patron who wanted her program dedicated to her in this manner: "Lola Princess"

Actor Shamaine Centenera Buencamino with fan girls from the Lolarga-Susi family: Marga, Machiko Skye and Bianca, a piano student

Salonga, Saraza and concert organizer Pablo Tariman who just made life more beautiful for all with an evening of piano and violin music that was reset after Typhoon Maring wrought havoc on the country and the original concert schedule. Our cries of "Bravo!" weren't enough to express our thanks.

Late apres-concert dinner at Ed's Table in Sikatuna Village (clockwise): Lola Princess, blogger, Jenny Llaguno, Fe Manapat, Mercy Fabros and Tina Ebro

Liping Zheng, Diomedes Saraza, Oliver Salonga

North and south of Metro Manila, art and music aficionados can expect to enjoy a  richness for the soul, for the heart. They can also expect something glorious to watch and listen in August. You wonder why I stray from my true mountain residence?

From the inbox:

"Liping Zheng's A Passionate World"  is up until  Aug. 5 at the ArtistSpace. The gallery is open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.  It is located at the back of Ayala Museum, facing the entrance of Greenbelt 5 (fronting Balenciaga and Massimo Dutti), de la Rosa Street,  Makati City.

The music event of the month in August: two glorious concertos, two soloists in one evening with the Manila Symphony Orchestra under Arturo Molina on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. at the UP Abelardo Hall, Diliman, Quezon City. Violinist Diomedes Saraza, Jr. plays Bartok's Violin Concerto No. 2 and pianist Oliver Salonga, Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor. Tickets at P1,000 (orchestra) and P500 (balcony). Free delivery of ordered tickets. Call tel. no. (02) 5763132 or text 09065104270.

Evenings of books, art, voice, piano and violin

Dear Dear Dear Music Lovers of Metro Manila & Nearby Provinces

Following is a letter from Pablo A. Tariman of Music News & Features on the next couple of intimate concerts for the season at Balay Kalinaw, University of the Philippines Diliman campus, Quezon City. The July 22 concert is a fund-raising event of Church Cafe, a Quezon City-based community of cultural workers, in behalf of poet-essayist-painter Jolicco de Cuadra who is under treatment for the early stages of Parkinson's disease.The July 22 event includes an exhibition and art raffle-auction apart from a dinner-concert.

_______________________________

Dear Music Lovers,

After the successful opening night of the UP Balay Kalinaw Intimate Concert Series on May 28 with violinist Gina Medina and pianist Mary Anne Espina, we would like to invite you to the remaining three concerts of the season: pianist Oliver Salonga on June 18, cellist Wilfredo Pasamba with pianist Mary Anne Espina on July 8 and baritone Andrew Fernando with mezzo soprano Clarissa Ocampo, flutist Christopher Oracion and pianist Espina on July 22.


Please fill up the ticket order form below, and Music News can deliver the tickets free. Or remit ticket payments through BPI Savings Account No. 2449-0956-88 under Account Name: Pablo A. Tariman and your tickets will be reserved on the night of the concert. Call us at (02) 7484152 or 09065104270.

Here is the background of the artists and their program.

Hoping you can join us in the forthcoming concerts, we remain

Very truly yours,

PABLO A. TARIMAN

Ticket Order Form
Music News
116 Edinburgh St.
Pasig Green Park Subd.
Manggahan, Pasig City

Gentlemen:
We would like to order the following tickets indicated below:

1. June 18, 2011 Concert of Pianist Oliver Salonga
( ) ____ tickets at P1000 (with dinner)
( ) ____ tickets at P500 (concert only)
( ) ____ tickets at P300 (student price)


2. July 8, 2011 Concert of Cellist Wilfredo Pasamba and pianist Mary Anne Espina
( ) ____ tickets at P1000 (with dinner)
( ) ____ tickets at P500 (concert only)
( ) ____ tickets at P300 (student price)
3. July 22, 2011 Concert of Baritone Andrew Fernando, mezzo-soprano Clarissa Ocampo and flutist Christopher Oracion.
( ) ____ tickets at P1, 500 (with dinner)
( ) ____ tickets at P500 (concert only)
( ) ____ tickets at P300 (student price)

Please deliver above tickets to the following:

Name:
Address:
Contact Nos. & Email Address:
* * *
Concert 2
Saturday, June 18, 2011, 6 p.m.
Oliver Salonga, pianist
Tickets at P1000 (with buffet dinner); P500 (concert only)

“What a dazzling pianist Oliver Salonga turned out to be! At his CCP concert, Bach’s Prelude and Fugue No.3 in C Sharp Minor and crisp-sparkling tones produced by remarkably nimble fingers. The distinctive phrasing, the brio, the sense of drama made the piece sound fresh and yes, even contemporary. Yet the style ummistakably hewed to Bach… the talent, the sensitivity, the impetuosity, the sense of drama are all his own.”--The Philippine Star

“He plays with power, technique, clarity, precision and coloring… A most satisfying evening!”--Business World

“…Remarkable musical sophistication… A clear standout!”--Malaya

Program
Piano Sonata No.58 in C Major, Hob.48 Haydn

Andante con espressione
Presto

Fantasiestucke, op.12 Schumann

Das Abends
Aufschwung Warum?
Grillen
In der Nacht
Fable
Traumes Wirren
Ende vom Lied

Intermission

Piano Sonata No.31 in A-flat Major, Op.110 Beethoven
Moderato cantabile
Allegro molto
Adagio espressivo
Fuga: Allegro ma non troppo
Apres une lecture du dante
"Sonata quasi fantasia" Liszt

Praised for his pianistic power and poetry, Oliver Salonga has gained a good following in his first recitals in the US, Asia and the Pacific. At a very young age, he has demonstrated an outstanding ability to communicate with audiences on a deeply personal level that made him one of the most promising pianists of his generation.

He was the winner of 2004 Lynn Concerto Competition and was a two-time Grand Prize winner in piano of 2003 and 2004 Madelyn Savarick Annual Scholarship Competition of the Centre for the Arts in Boca Raton, Florida. He had master classes with Sarah Davis Bueckner, Yoshikazu Nagai, Rebecca Penneys, Cecile Licad, Jon Nakamatsu, Jerome Lowenthal, Robert McDonald, John O’Connor and Philip Evans where he received positive comments and great appreciation. At Lynn University, Oliver graduated summa cum laude under the tutelage of Dr. Roberta Rust.

Born in Manila on June 26, 1986, Salonga started playing the piano at age 7 under Prof. Carmencita Arambulo. He gave his first solo public recital at age 11 playing Mozart's Piano Concerto in d minor K. 466. He recently obtained his Master of Music in Piano Performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music under the guidance of 2001 Van Cliburn Silver Medalist, Antonio Pompa-Baldi and was awarded the Sadie Zellen Piano Prize for his superior musical talent. Under his guidance, Salonga won Gold Medal in 2008 Joenju International Piano Competition in South Korea He is continuing his studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music as an Artist Diploma candidate.

Concert 3 Wilfredo C. Pasamba, cellist
Mary Anne Espina, pianist

Friday, July 8, 2011, 6 p.m.
Tickets at P1000 (with buffet dinner); P500 (concert only)

Program: Barber’s Sonata in C Minor, Debussy Sonata and Brahms’ Sonata No. 2 in F Major

Pasamba has performed worldwide as soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. His recent performances include guest solo appearances at the Heidelberg New Music Festival performing the music of George Crumb, and at the Olivier Messiaen Centennial in Missouri; collaboration in the Arnold Schoenberg Retrospective at the University of Missouri-Kansas City; a chamber music appearance with the Omaha Chamber Music Society, and guest solo recitals in San Francisco, Moscow and St. Petersburg.

He has appeared with the Juilliard Symphony, Reno Chamber Orchestra, Wichita Symphony, Syracuse Chamber Orchestra, Ithaca College Chamber Orchestra, Manila Symphony Orchestra, Cebu Philharmonic and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. He has attended music festivals in Tanglewood, Norfolk, Bowdoin and at the Ithaca Violoncello Institute and a conducting fellowship in South Carolina.

He has performed in cello master classes of Janos Starker, Natalia Gutman, Colin Carr, Bonnie Hampton Aldo Parisot, Bion Tsang, Einar Holm, Lawrence Lesser, Michael Grebanier and Carter Brey and has collaborated with conductors such as
Pierro Gamba, Pamela Gerhardt, Basilio Manalo, Arturo Molina, Robert Olson, Michael Palmer, Ruggero Barbierri, Vahe Kochayan, among others.

Pasamba has garnered top honors at the Jennings Butterfield Young Artist
Competition, Juilliard Cello Concerto Competition the National Music
Competition for Young Artists, Reno Chamber Orchestra Competition and was
a semi-finalist in the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow.

No less than The New York Times hailed Pasamba for his “audacity and
brilliance” at his New York debut at the Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie
Hall. He has since appeared in concerts at the Merkin Concert Hall,
Metropolitan Museum, Rachmaninoff Hall, Sviatoslav Richter Museum and the
Omaha Chamber Music Society. He has extensively performed throughout the
US, France, Germany, Turkey, Italy, Russia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

As a chamber musician, he has performed with Peter Wiley, Ani Kavafian, Benny Kim, Karl Paulnack, Reynaldo Reyes, Albert Tiu, Raul Sunico, Brendan Kinsella and with artist members of the Beaux Arts, Argenta Trios, Alexander, Orion and Ying String Quarters. As cellist and co-founder of the Battig Piano Trio, he embarked on its first European concert tour in 2001.

Pasamba is a product of an exceptional music education. He began his music
lessons on his mother's lap, the accomplished pianist, conductor, composer and now music ministry director, Angelita Cariaso Pasamba. At 14, he started cello lessons under the late Martiniano Esguerra. Two years later, he won first prize in the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA). Soon he received a full scholarship at the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory in the former
Soviet Union. Later, he took postgraduate studies at the Juilliard School
of Music in New York and the University of Missouri-Kansas City
Conservatory. He studied under master cellists Natalia Shakhovskaya, Fred
Sherry, Carter Enyeart and later with Maria Tchaikovskaya and Alexander
Rudin.

After his studies abroad, Pasamba came back to his homeland and taught as
assistant professor at St. Scholastica’s College Manila and at the
UP College of Music. He has lately served as faculty member at Pittsburgh State University, and at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory. Previous orchestral positions include membership with the Kansas City, Omaha and the Des Moines Symphony Orchestras.

Concert 4 Andrew Fernando, baritone, Clarissa Ocampo, mezzo soprano, Christopher Oracion, flute, and Mary Anne Espina, piano

Friday, July 22,6 p.m.
Tickets at P1,500 (with buffet dinner); P500 (concert only)

“A major presence!”--Musical America

International Filipino Baritone Andrew Fernando is the First Prize winner of the prestigious 2003 Loren L. Zachary National Vocal Competition in the United States and an alumnus of the world renowned San Francisco Opera Merola Program. Also a prize winner in the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions in the Los Angeles district and in the Pacific region, The Palm Springs Opera Vocal Competition, a recipient of the Opera Buffs Inc. scholarship grant and the Grand Prize winner in the Pasedena Opera Guild Vocal competition in 2004 and a grand finalist in the Licia Albanese Puccini International Vocal Competition held in New York in 2003. He was Opera Pacific’s resident baritone from 1999-2002 where he worked constantly with internationally acclaimed conductor John De Main.

Andrew has performed as principal artist with San Francisco Opera Merola, Opera Pacific, Eugene Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Singapore Lyric Opera, The Orange County Performing Arts Center, The Cultural Center of the Philippines, Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Macau Sinfonietta, The Hong Kong Arts Festival/Los Angeles Opera, The Hong Kong Urban Council, First Act Opera of England, Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, Pasadena Pops Orchestra, Palm Dessert Orchestra, Herbert Zipper Hall, The Los Angeles Metropolitan Symphony, The Walt Disney Hall, the International Bamboo Organ Festival, Syrinx Concerts Orchestra of France, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra among many others. The Los Angeles Times has hailed him as “The young singer to watch.”

In 2005, Andrew made his debut with the Syrinx Concerts Orchestra in Cote D ’ azur France singing the baritone solo in Handel’s The Messiah and appearing as Sagestrano in the Opera Pacific’s production of Tosca under the baton of acclaimed conductor Christian Badea. Andrew recorded the tone poem Sa Dalampasigan with the Global Symphony Orchestra in the Philippines. Also in 2005, Andrew made his debut at the Walt Disney Hall as Baritone Soloist of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

In the 2005-2006 seasons, Andrew gave an acclaimed performance as Count Almaviva in the Singapore Lyric Opera production of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro. In the same season Andrew gave full concerts in the city of New York, Boston, Panorama, Los Angeles, Manila, San Francisco and New Jersey. Seen in the title role of Eugene Onegin at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Andrew was praised by critics for his beautiful singing and powerful presence.

Andrew, as a young artist, had the opportunity of being presented in public master classes given by Carlo Bergonzi, Tom Krause, Jane Eaglen, Deborah Voight and Dolora Zadjick and has performed on the opera main stage with Helen Donath, Vinson Cole, Maria Ewing and Federica Von Stade, Lauren Flannigan to name a few.

Andrew sang Rigoletto in Modesto in February 2007 to critical acclaim. He created the role of Powhatan in World Premiere of Linda Tutas Haugen’s and Joan Vail Thorne’s Pocahontas presented by the Virginia Arts Festival in cooperation with Virginia Opera in May of 2007 as a contribution to the 400th Anniversary of the settlement in Jamestown and the story of Pocahontas.

He recently sang the role of Bluebeard in Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle presented by Let’s Shout Out Inc of Boston. Musical America called him “A major presence!”

Andrew’s 2007-2008 season include his debut season with New York City Opera and his participation in their productions of Cendrillon and Tosca; singing the title role of Rigoletto in his Opera San Jose debut and the baritone soloist in Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and singing the title role in Bluebeard’s Castle presented by the MCO Foundation in Manila.

This past season Andrew participated in the world premiere of Stephen Schwartz’s first opera Séance on a wet afternoon where he covered the role of Mr. Cole and sang as Reporter #1 with Opera Santa Barbara. Also in this past season Andrew was heard at the San Agustin International Music Festival singing the baritone solo of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. He was guest baritone soloist of the Jakarta Simfonnia and Oratorio Society in their production of Faure’s Requiem.

Andrew started the current season by doing a US tour giving recitals and concerts. He sang Vison Infernales at a recital in Fullerton with esteemed colleague Benjamin Makino. He is appearing as Alfio in the University of Santo Tomas production of Cavalleria Rusticana and will be performing the baritone solo in The Messiah with Simfonia Jakarta. Andrew will be the featured bass-baritone soloist in Verdi’s Requiem with by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. He returned to Long Beach Opera for Moscow, Cherry Town by Shostakovich in the role of Sasha.

Photos of concert organizer Tariman with Salonga, Salonga, Espina, Oracion and Fernando (left with cultural volunteer and music patron Wilson Go) by Sinag de Leon and Anna Leah Sarabia. The ground-breaking intimate concert series was first done at the Kiss the Cook Gourmet restaurant on Maginhawa st., UP Village, QC.

For the Love of the Classics

A person's life purpose is nothing more than to rediscover, through  the detours of art…or passionate work, those one or two images in the  presence of which his heart first opened."  --Albert Camus, French writer and Nobel laureate for literature

Monsieur Camus may as well add fools rush in where angels fear to  tread, especially on the subject of bringing the classics to small  venues, not 700-or 1,000-seater concert halls the proximity of which  is compromised at the hint of a thunderstorm and its twin,  Friday-night gridlock.

For Waya Araos, proprietor of Kiss the Cook Gourmet (KTCG), a  restaurant and alternative art space at 65 Maginhawa street, UP  Village, Quezon City, music writer Pablo Tariman of Music News &  Features and a hardy core of cultural volunteers, risking their  blouses and shirts is worth the effort, even if it defies  business-school tenets of cost effectiveness.

Tariman, who has presented pianist Cecile Licad, tenor Otoniel  Gonzaga, violinist Alexandro Tomescu, among others, in various venues  in Metro Manila and the provinces, may have been beaten financially in  some instances but is unbowed in espousing the classics.

He describes the risks involved:  "A small venue hardly raises any  income good enough to cover expenses from artists’ fees to poster and  program printing to piano rental. It’s hard to get sponsors in a small  venue as companies want a bigger exposure for their products. But when  tested as we did with Oliver Salonga last July 4, good food, good  music and good art on the walls make a superb combination. You feed  both body and soul."

It wasn't hard to get Araos's cooperation into opening her space for  the performing arts. She says, "My father (sculptor Jerry Araos)  raised us on classical music. He would get inspiration for his work  from Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Mozart and would delight us, actually  embarrass us when we were young, by dancing to Ravel's Bolero in front  of our friends. He'd sing along, not well, mind you, but with intense  feeling to Pavarotti, Carreras and Mario Lanza. The daily exposure to  the classics shaped what I am today. When I was presented with the  opportunity to present classical music at Kiss the Cook Gourmet, I  jumped at it."

Enthusiasm was infectious. Before Tariman and volunteers could think  of sponsors, the pragmatic way persons with a slight business sense  would think these things through, foremost on their minds was if the  ROS Music Center-owned Bösendorfer piano on which Salonga played in  his June 12 Philamlife concert would fit the restaurant's sliding  doors. That took care of itself.   Reality set in when costs were computed for the pianist's honorarium  in lieu of talent fee, the heavily discounted piano rental, ink for  printing out posters and other print paraphernalia, etc.

Reliable  cavalry riders came to the rescue in the persons of Aurora and Des  Bautista of Baguio, Dr. Andrea Enrile Dimayuga of Trinity Birth  Clinic, Maria Claudine M. Fernandez, Joy Buensalido, San Buenaventura  and Co., CPA, Quota International Club of Manila and friends in media  who helped drum up interest in the event. Visual artists Merci Dulawan  and Norman Chow came down from Baguio that day, each bearing a freshly  strung lei, for Salonga's matinee and evening performances.  The organizers acknowledged help from these individuals and groups.

Tariman says, "There is nothing like finding a patron who can cover  your expenses so you can concentrate on the artistic requirements of  your concert. In the end, standing ovations don’t translate into  income. Deficits tell you all planning should start with getting  sponsors and making good with ticket sales."  Tariman, awarded in June by the city of Manila the Patnubay ng  Sining at Kalinangan for makabagong pamamaraan (which must only mean  "innovative ways"), was happy with the results of the first two  intimate concerts.

After food expenses were deducted from Salonga concerts  and the balance for piano rent paid off, there was still more than  enough to turn over to the beneficiary, the Values Education and  Skills Training (VEST) Foundation that is working to keep Aeta  children in school in Bayan-bayanan, Dinalupihan, Bataan. The amount  of P12,000 generated is enough to feed more than 20 kids in their  dormitory for a month.

Aware that "risks are trials through which organizers live or die,"  his Music News & Features and KTCG went on with a voice-flute  spectacular, featuring soprano Camille Lopez Molina, flutist  Christopher Oracion and Mary Anne Espina who played on an upright  Bachstein piano in late July.  The organizers moved the concert from its original July 25 schedule  after a non-stop afternoon downpour stranded the performers and  some guests in their respective points of origin. This meant  cancellations by at least 30 confirmed guests (nuns celebrating an  anniversary) who could've filled up the restaurant. Araos was  philosophical, "Win some, lose some."

The show went on with the teacher in Lopez-Molina sharing English  translations of the German, French and Italian art songs in her  repertoire. She included the synopsis of the seemingly preposterous  plot of "La Wally," the only full-length opera that features an  avalanche in it, making mounting it a grand expense.  She also pointed out that far from being high-falutin', classical  music is akin to hearing "Ay! Kalisud" but coming from another continent.

Citing her first song, Schumann's "Widmung" (Dedication)  whose lyrics state "You my soul, you my heart, you my bliss, you my  pain...", she quipped, "It beats saying, 'For all the lovers out  there!'" 

Araos stepped out of her comfortable, tested KTCG menu, introducing a  new item, a very filling mixed seafood in saffron in vol-au- vent  shells to go with standards of rosemary chicken, garlic butter  vegetables, mango passion fruit jelly and lemongrass cooler.

She says, "The series has not yet been a big profit maker for the  restaurant, but it has its perks: the staff exclaiming over Mozart,  saying 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (from Mozart's Twelve Variations  on Ah! Vouz Derais Je, K. 265), alam ko pala yung classical music (I  know my classical music)', which makes my day; getting Linc Drilon and  Becky Demetillo to belt out 'As Time Goes By', 'Bridge Over Troubled  Water' and 'I'll Be Seeing You'; best of all, sitting in the  restaurant on a Sunday night, Chopin filling the air, and half the  people in the joint with tears in their eyes."

Tariman says, "Mounted in a small venue, the intimacy makes you feel  closer to the music and the artist. A small venue also translates into  lesser risk, a more manageable budget. Just limit your complimentary  tickets, or you will go home with your last underwear and sando! But  an ecstatic audience erases all that."

Childbirth instructor and art-music buff Mercy Fabros, a regular at  the concert series, says after listening to Lopez-Molina, Oracion and  Espina, especially when the soprano transformed into the flirty gypsy  in the "Carmen Fantasy,", "I never felt this way. It's like the orgasm  of old women!"  Sinag de Leon, who had a recent exhibit of paper cuts at the venue, spoke of  the "limitless possibilities of the universe," of finding a place that  not only satisfies food cravings but also yearnings of heart and mind.

With spirits riding high, the audience, whether a full house or  so intimate as to equal a royal command performance, may not just  applaud but rise to kiss both cook and impresario. They  fearlessly marched on to the next venture: The Baritone and Flute Spectacular featuring baritone Noel Azcona, star soloist of the UST Singers, flutist Oracion with pianist Mary Anne Espina.  The concert was held last night at  KTCG and featured  favorite baritone arias from Don Giovanni, Carmen and La Traviata  and excerpts from Broadway musicals Les Miserables and  South Pacific.  The evening was dedicated to the memory of the late baritone Gamaliel Viray.

The mission of promoting classical music education and the search to creatively sustain it continue.

Photos by Rebecca Dingkuhn shows Christopher Oracion and Camille Lopez Molina performing (top) and concert organizer Pablo Tariman lost in their music (below). 

Oliver!

For the benefit of Vest Foundation which supports the education of Aeta school children in Barangay Bayan-bayanan, Dinalupihan, Bataan

Pianist Oliver Salonga at Kiss the Cook Gourmet

Many things happen when the moon is waxing. It is a good time to dream and set dreams in motion.

On Independence Day, like-minded people got together for twin events: the formal opening of Kiss the Cook Gourmet (KTCG), a restaurant, deli and alternative art space in one, and the inaugural exhibition "Moonlight and Water." The simultaneous solo shows feature the works of Norman Chow, Merci Dulawan, Baboo Mondoñedo and this, uhm...whatever.

As the party got underway, Ray Sison, principal flutist of the Manila Symphony Orchestra, observed that the venue was suitable for evenings of classical music. This after the warm reception for his interpretation of a short repertoire of the masters' music that suited the exhibit theme: Chopin's Nocturne, Mozart's A Little Night Music and Debussy's Clair de Lune with Saint Saens' The Swan from Carnival of the Animals for his encore.

The dreaming went on, with Mia Protacio, lighting designer by day, "poorest" patroness of the arts by afternoon and evening, giving her few centavos' worth--how young operatic singers needed exposure, too, in any venue, wherever there is an audience, new, old, in between still capable of being moved. She is a board member of the Philippine Opera Foundation.

By late evening, as original guests drifted off and a fresh bunch of diners came in, the dream took hold. Today, Ray texted: "It is a dream. But true." KTCG's Waya Araos texted: "Go for gold!" And Pablo Tariman, whose heroism in his classical music advocacy never wavered, announced that the tickets and flyers were on their way. And the event, you ask?

Oliver Salonga, two-time first prize winner of the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA), will open KTCG's Intimate Concert Series with a piano recital on July 4 at 6 p.m. at the restaurant-cum-alternative art space (65 Maginhawa st., UP Village, Quezon City).

His program includes: Mozart's 12 Variations on Ah! Vouz Derai Je, K. 265 and Piano Sonata No. 10 in C Major, K.330, Chopin's Sonata No. 2 in B Flat Minor, Op. 35, and Prokofiev's Piano Sonata No. 7 in B-flat Major, Op. 83.

A master of music in piano performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music under the guidance of 2001 Van Cliburn silver medalist, Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Salonga was awarded the Sadie Zellen Piano Prize for his superior musical talent. Under Pompa-Baldi’s tutelage, he won the gold medal in the 2008 Joenju International Piano Competition in South Korea. He is on his summer break from studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music where he is an artist diploma candidate.

Salonga debuted with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Ruggero Barbieri. A critic wrote of his rendition of the Grieg concerto: “A dazzling pianist… The distinctive phrasing, the brio, the sense of drama made the piece sound fresh and yes, even contemporary.”

The pianist was a soloist in Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2 in C Minor with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under George Ellis and got a standing ovation. He was soloist in Liszt’s Piano Concerto No.2 in A major with the Lynn University Philharmonia under the baton of Albert George Schram. He performed the same concerto with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Rodel Colmenar and received rousing cheers.

The dinner concert, produced by KTCG, Bösendorfer and Music News & Features, will benefit Vest Foundation which, among other missions, aids the continued education of Aeta children in Barangay Bayan-bayanan, Dinalupihan, Bataan.

Limited seats of 60. Tickets at P1,200 each inclusive of dinner. For reservations, call 7484152, 3573811 or text 0906-510-4270.

Photo from Salonga's Facebook