The Filfest Cultural Foundation opens its 2014 season with a concert featuring marimbist Dena Fernandez and the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) on May 31 at the Insular Life Tower in Alabang.

 

Considered the country’s premier marimbist, Fernandez is described by Los Angeles music critic Peter Galagaras as “a natural wonder,” whose performance is “full of intensity and sensitive directness.”

 

The first Filipino to obtain a degree majoring in Marimba performance, Fernandez had further coaching under Barry Dove, principal percussionist of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, and Gregg Zuber of Julliard School of Music.

 

She has performed in major concert halls in Spain and in the United States including Merkin Hall (Carnegie Hall) in New York.

 

For the Filfest concert, Fernandez will perform the Philippine premiere of Jorge Sarmientos’ “Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra.”

 

Conducting the MSO is maestro Ruggero Barbieri, former music director of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

 

The MSO will perform Grammy- and Oscar-winning compositions Nino Rota, who has written musical scores for films by Federico Fellini and Francis Ford Coppola.

 

Sponsors of the concert include the City of Manila, San Miguel Corporation, Vivere Hotel, Contis, Rustan’s, Silver Secrets, Inc.

 

Call 0917-8177261, 0918-9419472 or 5853823.