32^nd International Bamboo Organ Festival

Program

Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007

GALA - BAROQUE MASTERS

Cantatas formed an integral part of orthodox Lutheran liturgy. Their texts were usually related to the appointed Gospel of the day, and they were sung after the Gospel reading and before the sermon. As the cantor of St. Thomas in Leipzig, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was obliged to produce a new cantata a week, and he fulfilled this arduous task for years on end. Not everything he wrote has survived, but those that have still number over 200. The soprano Cantata BWV 52 is special for its employment, as opening sinfonia, of the first movement of Brandenburg Concerto no. 1. The opening recitative Falsche Welt dir trau ich nicht denounces the false world.

The extraordinary Brandenburg concertos – six concertos in the Italian style of three movements (fast – slow – fast) are each totally different one from the other in scoring and mood. The Sixth Concerto was originally written for 2 violas, 2 violas de gamba, cello, double bass, and continuo. Tonight’s performance will feature 2 pianists at one piano playing the 4-hand transcription of this piece by Max Reger, a German composer whose affinity for counterpoint was notable, and who was often referred to as “Bach’s last descendant. “

German lutenist and composer Sylvius Leopold Weiss (1686-1750) was almost an exact contemporary of Bach. Regarded as the finest lutenist of his time, he wrote mostly for his instrument. Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) for the first half of his life was much overshadowed by his father Alessandro, who was the leading composer of Naples. Just before Alessandro’s death, Domenico accepted a position in Portugal and shortly thereafter he moved to Spain in the court of Queen Maria Barbara. It was there that he did his finest work, including 550 harpsichord sonatas. These one-movement works, conceived like Chopin Etudes, focus on a single technical device or particular melodic, harmonic or rhythmic figure, exploring its inherent musical possibilities with originality and imagination. Because most of these were written in Spain, many are pervaded by that country’s musical style.

Artist

JONATHAN VELASCO is a much sought after choral conductor, clinician, and adjudicator of international renown. He joined the UP Madrigal singers under Prof. Andrea Veneracion in 1981, becoming its assistant choirmaster two years later. In 1989 he started his studies in Choral conducting at the Berliner Kirchenmusikschule, finishing with distinction. He was a member and assistant conductor of the World Youth Choir, and for its 1996 summer session became the first Asian to become principal conductor. Velasco was part of the jury during the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th Choir Olympics in Busan, Bremen and Xiamen respectively; he has also judged international choral competitions in Belgium, Budapest, Spain, Germany, China and Malaysia. Since 1993 he has been on the faculty of the Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music and is currently Chairman of the Choral Studies Department; he also regularly holds choral clinics and workshops in Manila, Europe and Asia. He currently conducts and trains the Ateneo Chamber singers, the Miriam College Glee Club and the AILM Chorale.

Gala Concert in Commemoration of 100 years of CICM Missionary Presence in the Philippines

Brandenburg Concerto no. 6 BWV 1051 J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

trans. by M. Reger

Sonata K. 408 D. Scarlatti (1685-1757)

Sonata K. 413

Sonata L. 288

Suite no. 16 S. L. Weiss (1686-1750)

Prelude

Allemande

Courante

Sarabande

Gigue

Suite Cortesana Anonymous

Cantata no. 52 Falsche Welt dir trau ich nicht! J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

Armando Salarza, organ

Anamaria G. de Guzman, piano

Najib Ismail, piano

Sixto E. Roxas, guitar

Ruben Reyes, guitar

Camille L. Molina, soprano

Las Piñas Boys Choir

Festival Orchestra

Jonathan Velasco, conductor

Friday, Feb. 23, 2007

BAROQUE MASTERS

Artists

CAMILLE LOPEZ MOLINA studied voice at the University of the Philippines before she went on a scholarship to the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts where she earned a certificate in Opera Studies. From 1996 to 2001 she further studied at the Konservatorium der Stadt Wein in Austria. The list of roles she has sung is long and varied: ranging from Bloody Mary in South Pacific to Giulieta in Tales of Hoffmann; from the Countess in Le Nozze de Figaro to Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana and many others in between. She was soloist for the 2001 European tour of the Philipine Philharmonic Orchestra, and has been featured in their season concerts and in the Filipino Artists Series; she has concretized extensively locally, in the US, Europe, Hong Kong and Singapore. She presently teaches at the UST Conservatory, St. Scholastica’s College and Centro Escolar University.

ANAMARIA G. DE GUZMAN earned her Bachelor of Music degree, major in piano and minor in composition from St. Scholastica’s College. An active civic worker as the first Filipina full-fledged Jaycee, she has taken on numerous fund-raising concerts together with her duo-piano partners for a variety of charitable causes, performing both locally and in the US. Together with Della G. Besa, she has just finished recording a CD of Filipino compositions for duo piano.

Pianist NAJIB ISMAIL has been acclaimed as chamber musician, collaborative artist and solo performer. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree at the UST conservatory of Music and a professional diploma from the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts. He has been featured soloist under distinguished conductors, and has performed solo and chamber music recitals around the country as well as in China, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Spain, Austria, France and Switzerland. In 1998 he was presented in the prestigious Filipino Artists Series of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and was recently soloist in the October 2006 season concert of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. He is on the faculty of the UST Conservatory of Music.

Brandenburg Concerto no. 6 BWV 1051 J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

trans. by M. Reger

Sonata K. 408 D. Scarlatti (1685-1757)

Sonata K. 413

Sonata L. 288

Suite no. 16 S. L. Weiss (1686-1750)

Prelude

Allemande

Courante

Sarabande

Gigue

Battaglia Anonymous (Spain, 18^th century)

Aria detto Balletto G. Frescobaldi (1583-1643)

Battaglia Anonymous (Spain, 17^th century)

Cantata no. 52 Falsche Welt dir trau ich nicht! J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

Dalibor Miklavcic, organ

Anamaria G. de Guzman, piano

Najib Ismail, piano

Sixto E. Roxas, guitar

Ruben Reyes, guitar

Camille L. Molina, soprano

Las Piñas Boys Choir

Festival Orchestra

Jonathan Velasco, conductor

Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007

CONCERT UNDER THE TREES

Artists

SIXTO E. ROXAS began his musical career with the electric guitar and later switched to classical guitar, pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree from the UST Conservatory of Music. On a grant from the Spanish Government, he undertook master classes in Barcelona, Spain. An active performer in various recitals and concerts, both solo and ensemble, he is on the faculty of the UST Conservatory of Music.

RUBEN REYES, an alumnus of the UST Conservatory of Music, where he is now a member of the faculty, is an active performer of both classical and jazz music. He performs with the UST Guitar Quartet, and was part of the Wednesday Group of guitarists that brought guitar to Paco Park, the British Council, and Siliman University. He now heads the guitar department at UST, and plays electric bass with the jazz trio Majam.

CHRISTINE LOVE MARCAIDA is a recording and concert artist, who has had performances in Australia and the United States. She presently runs The Voice Box, a singing and stage performance school in Makati City.

RICO J. PUNO started out in show business in 1974; in the span of two years he was named Most Promising Entertainer by Aliw Awards, and in 1977 was named Entertainer of the Year. The years after that saw a whole string of awards, the highlights of which are: Best Asian Performer in the Tokyo Music Festival and Juke Box King in 1979; Most Outstanding Recording Artist in 1997; and Hall of Fame Awardee in 2004.

In 1998 Rico J. entered public service, and served as City Councilor of Makati City’s first district in 1998, 2001, and 2003. He was Chairman of the Committee on Tourism and Culture, as well as the Committee on Public Information; and authored the Makati Anti-Piracy Ordinance. This singer/entertainer, businessman, and public servant is better known to his fans as the Total Entertainer.

There was never any doubt that music would play a major role in the life of JACQUI MAGNO. Singing through Grade School and High School in the glee club, chosen for lead roles in school musicals, putting together her own singing group, becoming female lead singer of the Scheraders, and then member of the unforgettable Circus Band – all these led to a solo career that began with gigs in folk houses, then on to singing (and sometimes playing) with pop/rock/jazz bands, and the first original Filipino rock opera, MAHAL.

And then there was jazz. Jacqui was now clearly in her element, winning Cecil Awards as Best Female Vocal Performer in 1984, and Best Jazz Vocal Performance in 1984 and 1985. In 1995 she was part of TALA. A band formed solely to represent the country in the Northsea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands. She recently did musicals with Tanghalang Pilipino at the CCP, and joined a Circus Band silver Jubilee Reunion at Ultra in 1997. An outcome of the latter is a CD of the live performance available under the Bookmark Audio label. She has also recorded for the same label an album of kundimans with a twist, aptly titled “Paglingon: Return of the Native”. It won for her a special citation as one of the three awardees for the Catholic Mass Media “Best Album of the Year” in 2000. The following year, she was named Katha’s “Best Female Jazz Vocalist”. She has just finished recording under Manna Records an all-standards CD with Toti Fuentes as Musical Director and produced by Richard Merk.

Monday, Feb. 26, 2007

AN EVENING OF ORGAN MUSIC

Artists

DALIBOR MIKLAVCIC was born in Ljubljana, Slovenia and studied both in Vienna and Milan. An award-winner in several national and European competitions, he concretizes regularly all over Europe. He was founder-president of the Slovenian Organ Society, has taught at the State University, is a lecturer at organ master classes and summer organ academies in Italy, Germany and Austria, and has recorded several CDs of organ music. His practice organ at home is adorned with wood-carvings made by the Diego Cera OrganBuilders of Las Piñas.

On the Bamboo Organ:

Canto Llano de la Immaculada Concepción F. Correa de Arauxo (ca.1575-1645)

de la Virgen Maria

Tres Glosas sobre il Canto Llano de la

Immaculada Concepción de la Virgen

Maria

Tiento de medio registro de dos tiples de Segundo

Tono

Brabantschen Rondendams ofte Brantd Anonymous

(Amsterdam c. 1590)

Aria detto Balletto (Secondo libro di Toccate) G. Frescobaldi (1583-1643)

Sonata in F Anonymous (Slovenia, 18^th century)

Sonata in B

Sonata in C

Minuet in G

(Slovenia, 18^th century)

Seis Glosas sobre la canción de primero tono D. Miklavcic (b. 1971)

(improvisation)

On the Auditorium Organ:

Praeludium in g BuxWV 150 D. Buxtehude (1637-1707)

Canzon in G BuxWV 171

Praeambulum ex G N. Bruhns

Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend BWV 709 J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C BWV 564 trans. by D. Miklavcic

Badinerie in b from Suite BWV 1607

Le Cygne C. Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

trans. by A. Guillmant

Toccata en sol maieur T. Dubois (1844-1925)

Dalibor Miklavcic, organ

Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007

FIESTA MUSIKA

Lucio D. San Pedro (1913-2002) became seriously involved in music when his father put up a family band in their hometown of Angono. This band was to serve later as the young Lucio’s laboratory for conducting and composition. He earned his teacher’s diploma at the UP College of Music in 1937; he later went to the United States for graduate studies at the Juilliard School in 1947. A prolific composer, his works adhered to a musical philosophy of “creative nationalism”, wherein his works strove to reflect the Filipino soul without the literal use of folk idiom. In his own words: “The composer… should squeeze from the folk material the essence, style, atmosphere and common touch that is Filipino, and express it in terms of his personality, style and temperament.”

Besides composing and arranging for the band, San Pedro wrote hymns, masses, choral works, songs for solo voices, chamber music, and even background music for the movies. Tonight we feature a range of compositions in various genres to celebrate what would have been the Maestro’s 94^th birthday on Feb. 11 and the 5^th anniversary of his death in 2002.

Artists:

ARMANDO SALARZA is the Titular Organist of the Bamboo Organ. At age eleven, he gave his first public performance on this instrument, and while still a student became the accompanist of the Las Piñas Boys Choir. He was also the youngest finalist ever to participate in the NAMCYA piano competition of 1978. Immediately after graduating from high school, he left for Graz and Vienna, finishing his studies ten years later and taking highest honors at the University for Music and Performing Arts in those two cities. Salarza has given many important recitals here, in Europe and in the US; and since 1986 has been featured every year at the International Bamboo organ Festival as recitalist, ensemble player, harpsichordist and conductor, displaying the versatility of his musical talent. A faculty member of St. Scholastica’s College, he is presently conductor and trainer of the Las Piñas Boys Choir and the Festival Choir.

The LAS PIÑAS BOYS CHOIR was founded in 1969 by Fr. Leo Renier for the purpose of having a group of young voices sing at church services. Through the years they have gained popularity and are now mainstays at both the parish and the annual Bamboo Organ Festival. For their work, the boys are awarded incentives such as academic scholarships. The Boys were national champions of the 3^rd National Competitions for Children’s Choirs in 1974; their latest triumphs are first place at the Vivere Church Competitions in 2005 and a nomination for Best Choral Group in the 2006 Aliw Awards. More competitions, including international ones, are planned in the future.

Featuring the music of Lucio D. San Pedro (1913-2002)

Variations on Alamat ng Lahi A. D. Consolacion II

Dalagang Mahinhin

Prelude and Elegie

on themes by L. San Pedro A.D. Consolacion II

Divertimento op. 90 no. 1

Intermezzo a Vocalise arr. by R. Lopez

Sa Umaga

Sampatak ng Hamog

Kabukiran

Sa Ugoy ng Duyan

Manalig Ka Iniibig Kita

Araw-araw sa Maynila

Missa Breve

Hosanna

Armando Salarza, organ

Randy Lopez, clarinet

Rea L. Jimenez, piano

Diego Cera Trio

BSJ Woodwind Quintet

Camille L. Molina, soprano

Abdul Candao, tenor

Najib Ismail, piano

Las Piñas Boys Choir

Thursday, March 1, 2007

ODE TO ST. CECILIA

St. Cecilia first appears in literature in The Golden Legend, a medieval collection of tales – mostly legendary – of early Christians who were martyred for their faith. In the 15^th century a new image of the saint emerged as singer and player of the organ, an instrument she is supposed to have invented, and she was adopted as patron saint for music. Thus the art of music is regularly celebrated on the 22^nd of November, the supposed anniversary of her death.

An Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day was composed by George Frideric Handel in 1739, a setting of John Dryden’s poem A Song for St. Cecilia. It opens with a splendid overture which Handel later converted into his Grand Concerto in D Major op. 6 no. 5. Various recitatives and arias follow; the stanzas describing the attributes of various instruments are all set with the appropriate instrumental solos: flute, cello, trumpet, lute and organ.

The Hymn to St. Cecilia by British composer Benjamin Britten for unaccompanied voices, was written at sea on the composer’s return voyage from America, to various verses by W.H. Auden. It is sublime and personal music, and is dedicated to the patron saint of music on whose feast day Britten was born.

Artists:

After winning the 1982 National Music Competitions for Young Artists, ABDUL CANDAO studied at the UST Conservatory of Music where he earned his music degree. In 1990 he enrolled at the Vienna Conservatory and since then has had an active performing career, singing in operas and concerts in various European countries, the US and the Philippines. From 2002 to 2006 he was engaged at the Eduard von Winterstein theater in Annaberg-Buchholz where he sang lead tenor roles in various operas. He is presently a faculty member of the Vienna Conservatory of Music.

JOHANN TRUMMER studied theology and musicology at the University of Graz, Austria, earning diplomas in organ and harpsichord. A priest since 1964, he became vice-rector of the major seminary in 1969. He has taught music since 1966, becoming dean of the Institute of Performance Practice; and since 2000 dean of the Institute of Church Music and Organ. He is vice president of the Austrian Choral Music Commission, board member of the International Bach Society, and regularly teaches at State Conservatories in Moscow and Minsk. Dr. Trummer has published in the fields of liturgy and music, Austrian church music history, congregational song and performance practice; he also performs on both organ and harpsichord and gives lectures all over Europe, Russia, the US, Canada and the Philippines.

REA L. JIMENEZ earned her Master’s degree in Music, major in Music Education, from St. Scholastica’s College, where she also finished her Bachelor’s degree, major in piano, cum laude. She now teaches at the schools High School department, and accompanies their Glee club, along with the Las Piñas Boys Choir and the Festival Choir on occasion. Since 2002 she has been a regular performer at the Festival and is also a member of its Program Committee. She is a member of the Diego Cera Trio, and as an educator has been treasurer of the Kodaly Society of the Philippines for two years.

RANDY LOPEZ started his music studies at the age of 16, eventually joining Banda San Jose as clarinetist. He qualified for a scholarship in St. Scholastica’s College in 1996, also becoming a member of the Manila Symphony Youth Orchestra. He is currently principal clarinet of the Manila Symphony Orchestra II. Since 1998, he has been associate conductor of Banda San Jose, teaches brass band music in a couple of schools, and is co-founder of the BSJ Woodwind Quintet and the Woodwind Five Quintet.

The story of the ATENEO CHAMBER SINGERS must be familiar to many people by now: from 2000 to 2001 alumni and graduating members of the Ateneo College Glee club embarked on a European tour, sweeping top prizes in major choral competitions in Germany, France and Spain. On their return to the Philippines, the group sought an opportunity to sustain the musical and personal friendship they had created during the tour, and with the blessing of principal conductor Joel Navarro, created the ACS in 2002. Jonathan Velasco, who had served as guest conductor on their tours, took the helm as musical director. In the four years that followed, the young choir has produced two albums, had a successful US tour and sung in numerous concerts including at the Bamboo Organ Festival, where they are practically a fixture. They have just returned from a tour of France and Spain; competing at the 38^th Tolosa Choral Contest where they won the top prize in the polyphony category. This was followed by a trip to Singapore where they were invited to perform with choirs from Singapore and Japan at the Esplanade Hall.

The DIEGO CERA TRIO is composed of graduates of the St. Scholastica’s College School of Music: Rea L. Jimenez, Mary Grace Martinez and Marisol Taylo; the latter two are also alumnae of St. Joseph’s Academy of Las Piñas. Since 2003 they have been regular performers at the Fiesta Musika, playing music of Filipino composers. At present they are all music or violin teachers of St. Scholastica’s College.

The BSJ WOODWIND QUINTET, formed in 2002, is composed of Gianpaolo Rivera, flute; Jayson Pagtakkhan, oboe; Randy Lopez, clarinet; Dick Tolentino, French horn; and Nylrone Pastrana, bassoon. Its members were scholars in either St. Scholastica’s College or the UST Conservatory of Music who all had their start in music performance as members of Banda San Jose. Their training enabled them to prevail in the National Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) and the Asian Symphonic Band competitions. They are now members of different orchestras in the country such as Manila Symphony Orchestra II, Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, and the UST Symphony orchestra; they have also had stints with the Southeast Asian Youth Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. Their repertoire covers a wide range of baroque, classic and contemporary pieces, as well as pop and jazz, all designed to showcase each member’s individual talent.

The FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA is made up of the best of Manila’s younger instrumentalists who are mostly members of the Manila Symphony Orchestra II, based at St. Scholastica’s College where they are taught and conducted by Arturo Molina. The members play in varied formations, and so have filled many functions for the Festival, of which they are now a vital element.

The Festival Choir was founded in 2002 especially for the 27^th Bamboo Organ Festival which commemorated the 25^th year of the special relationship between the cities of Graz and Las Piñas. Since then the choir has regularly performed at the Festival. Members of the group are mostly former members of the St. Joseph boys and girls choir.

Tiento lleno de quarto Tono J. Cabanilles (1644-1712)

Tiento de medio Registro de Baxon F. Correa de Arauxo (ca. 1566-1654)

de sexto Tono

Theme and 4 Variations J. H. Knecht (1752-1817)

Marchia di Santa Cecilia (1845) P. A. Schubiger (1815-1888)

A Hymn to St. Cecilia B. Britten (1913-1976)

Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day G. F. Handel (1685-1759)

Overture

Recitative: From harmony, from heav’nly harmony

Aria: When Nature underneath a heap

Chorus: From harmony, from heav’nly harmony

Aria: What passion cannot Music raise and quell!

Aria and Chorus: The trumpet’s loud clangour

March

Aria: The soft complaining flute

Aria: But oh! What art can teach

Aria: Orpheus could lead the savage race

Accompagnato: But bright Cecilia rais’d the wonder higher

Solo and Chorus: As from the pow’r of sacred lays

Dr. Johann Trummer, organ

Camille L. Molina, soprano

Abdul Candao, tenor

Ateneo Chamber Singers

Festival Orchestra

Jonathan Velasco, conductor and chorus master

- International Bamboo Organ Festival -

2007