Chamber music featuring Piazzolla

From Joseph Uy comes this letter to fans of classical music:

Dearest Friends,

May I cordially invite you to the Philippine debut of the sensational young cellist Guo Qiele on March 6 at the Ayala Museum at 7 p.m.?  He will be performing the Dvorak's Piano Trio no. 3 and the Piazzolla's Four Seasons of Buenos Aires together with our very own pianist Mary Ann Espina and violinist Gina Medina.  

Guo Qiele

Mary Anne Espina

Gina Medina

Known for his "expressive tone that can call forth dazzling specturm of tonal colors and sounds,  an impressive technique and impeccable musicality," the sensational 16-year old Chinese cellist Guo Qiele  was named one of the "Ten Talented Young Artists of China" when he was only 14.  Two years later, he took part in a national cello competition "Ai qin bei" and won the second prize.  He is the prized student of world reknowned Cellist Qin Li Wei in Singapore. (Cellist Qin Li Wei has given a concert under the aegis of the MCO Foundation where he received numerous standing ovations.) Quile regularly participates in masterclasses, including the one conducted by pedagogues Frans Helmerson, Louis Claret and Luise Hopkins.  

For tickets, call MCO Secretariat at 750-0768 or 0920-954-0053.  Tickets are also available in all TicketWorld outlets (call 891-9999).  If you are in Makati, we can deliver the tickets free of charge (minimum of two tickets).  May we inform you that we also give senior citizen discount of 20 percent and 50 percent for students with IDs.

Waters of March Flowing to May

Here are a few photos, except for that of violinist Gina Medina, taken by Anna Leah Sarabia, suki and unofficial photographer (a.k.a. cultural volunteer) of Intimate Concert Series at the fourth such event featuring baritone Andrew Fernando, flutist Christopher Oracion and pianist Mary Anne Espina.

Andrew adjusted his repertoire on March 13 to include popular songs like "Moon River" "What Kind of Fool Am I?" and "Some Enchanted Evening.". Friday after that Sunday, he was one of four vocal stars in Verdi's "Requiem" at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater, almost stealing the show from the Caucasian soprano and mezzo. Drew,ang galing mo!

From Kiss the Cook Gourmet (thank you, Waya Araos Wijangco, for being brave enough to embark on this adventure with us), where the concert series had its beginnings, the series moves to a bigger venue, Balay Kalinaw, at UP Diliman campus beginning today, May 28.

The hall can comfortably seat 150 people. Performing artists are Gina Medina on the violin and Mary Anne again on the piano for an evening of Western and Filipino classics.

The repertoire for this evening's concert includes Antonin Dvorak’s Praeludium and Allegro, Fritz Kreisler’s Rondino on a Theme of Beethoven, Libeslied Schon Rosmarin,Spanish Dance in E Minor by Enrique Granados and Danse Espagnole from La Vida Breve by Manuel de Falla. Filipino favorites will end the program, among them Constancio de Guzman’s Bayan Ko.

Dinner buffet starts at 6 p.m., concert at 7. There are still a handful of P500 concert-only and P300 student tickets left.

Balay Kalinaw is on Guerrero and Dagohoy Streets near the Ilang-Ilang Residence and the University Hotel.

Top photo shows this evening's main act Gina Medina.

Second photo shows accompanying artist Mary Anne Espina at work.

Third photo shows freelance writer-concert organizer Pablo Tariman.

Bottom photo shows baritone Andrew Fernando. Anna Leah labels this shot "Passion is where you take it."