1 month ago
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Pianist Raul Sunico and the Manila Symphony Orchestra will perform three concertos in one evening in "Gabi ng Piyano Konsyertong Pilipino" on Feb. 6 at the Manila Metropolitan Theater.
To be conducted by maestros Jeffrey Solares and Herminigildo Ranera of the faculty of the Conservatory of Music of the University of Santo Tomas, the event marks a milestone in the history of Filipino music as the featured concertos will be performed for the first time after many years.
These are Lucino Sacramento's Piano Concerto No.2 "Maharlika" from 1973 which was originally premiered by Sunico fifty years ago; Alfredo Buenaventura's Piano Concerto No.1 "Celebration" from 1976; and Francisco Santiago's Piano Concerto in Bb minor from 1924.
Award-winning pianist Raul Sunico PHOTO FROM MUSIKA PILIPINAS
These concertos not only highlight the rich heritage of Filipino composers of the 20th century but also underscore the revival and perpetuation of the tradition of Filipino piano music.
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The performance of Santiago's concerto is particularly important. It was thought lost during World War II but a reconstruction by his student was recently found and is now resurrected with orchestration faithful to Santiago's original vision. This will also commemorate the 100th anniversary of this concerto which was first performed at the Manila Grand Opera House on February 5, 1925.
The internationally renowned Sunico's extraordinary talent and vaunted dedication to ensuring the propagation of Filipino music make him the ideal artist to perform these masterpieces and lead what is expected to be the beginning of a cultural revival.
Established in 1926, the MSO is one of the oldest and leading orchestras in Asia. It has hosted internationally renowned musicians and performers including the likes of Yehudi Menuhin, Arthur Fiedler, Monserrat Caballe, Helen Quach, Rony Rogoff and many others including the Philippines own like Antonio Molina, Lucio San Pedro and Ryan Cayabyab.
Gabi ng Piyano Konsiyertong Pilipino is a production of Musika Pilipinas, an innovative research funded by the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Council of the Philippines, implemented by the UST Center for Culture, Arts and Humanities.
The concert will start at 7 p.m. on Feb. 6. Tickets are now available at Ticket World.
