At the recent FASO’s Summer Family Concert, you’d think that time honored, phrase “Maestro, at his best!” says it all..
But there is more between fresh observation and stale clichés when one thinks of the Maestro.
All his past concerts, resonates into journeys to a musical world, with beauty heard and seen, through intangible shades of music, never old, never worn out, in its own power and splendor: as he translates into sound with such magic human thoughts and feelings, the soul cries: events and conditions of life…whispering such secrets of subtle or ravishing beauty to an even receptive listener.
Observers of all forms of music, all inexorably asks only what is worthy, beautiful and good, a decision which is personal only you can make for yourself…it takes independence and courage that opens to wrong decisions.
FASO’s repertoire pyramided into Offenback’s “Orpheus in the under world,” the greatest Jacques Offenback’s operetta although critics found little amusement in this satire about Olympian gods – but the curiosity of an intense loving public, who flocked to the to see what motivated the critical thunderbolt at this operetta, it became the thing to see, to discuss, to quote and dance to… to the operetta became the vogue…although its repertory is of a salon ensemble rather than symphony orchestra…all their melodies delights and exquisite subtleties…were interpreted to its by the FASO, musically directed and conducted by the Maestro .
Serge Prokofiev, to the world outside Soviet Union, represented the fruition of the highest ideals of music…yet at the height of his fame and creative powers, was suddenly, and without warning, hurled down from his unassailable position, when the Central Committee of the Communist Party in 1948 announced the adaption of a new music policy. Away from modernism, or celebratism and toward a musical expression which was easy, rstrained of which drew to its styles and techniques from the Russia past, they thought he was too Westernized .
Peter and the Wolf is a delightful orchestral fairy tale. Most popular of Prokokievs narrator and orchestra “written tale to illustrate for children the instruments of the orchestra” said Maestro Bob Shroder as he explained each of the characters re[resented by different instruments, the bird, by a flute: the duck, by an oboe, the cat by a clarinet in the low regard: the grandfather by a bassoon: the wolf by three horns: Peter by string quartet: the shooting of the humblers: by the kettle and bass drum: the story is simply a fairy tale about a boy, named Peter who despite of his grandfathers warning goes out into the meadow… there he confronts a wolf, captures it with a stout rope, then proudly marches off with it into the zoo.
The Concert explored the rich fascinating era of the Kundiman was song by Sylvia La Torre irreplaceable Queen of Kundiman with her equally gifted granddaughter. Anna Maria Perez de Tagle of Broadway Fame, Incantations that revealed expressive poetic texts; unforgettable melodies: lyrics that became the voice of hope, service various social and aims of the time and creating a common national Filipino Identity.
La Torre has been for decades a bright star, dazzling her fans with remarkable performances in the movies and TV. She was absolutely gorgeous and glamorous and glitzy, she seemed to be sweating glitters. That night with granddaughter, de Tagle sadness, frustrations, love lost. Together, the Lola and Apo… sparkled and bubbled as they sang for those who loved. (sometimes not wisely) conveying the message that love is what life is all about.
Sylvia La Torre was the scene stealer, of all performers, it was she who sent fans into tremulous roars that whopped , her comedian instincts were infalliable, to this day…she knew how to chase the unimportant things away, then she writhes in agony – as in contrast, Anna bounced all over the stage with “I enjoy being a girl”
Musical concerts even in theaters are a collaborative art form – FASO’s Board of Directors involvement in the production was total, the performers enthusiasm limitless and irresistible: the compelling admiration and awe from the audience grew in every note the Maestro conducted with tender interpretation of each ensemble: the artists each one, more glorious than the other.
The compelling admiration and awe from the audience grew in their every note:
On that splendid note summer evening, we will remember how we got up on our feet as FASO united us with its marvelous music.
Next week, meet the artists and the men and women toiled quietly without whose luster and dedication this concert couldn’t have happened.
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E-mail Mylah at [email protected]
