On Oct. 27, acclaimed pianist Cecile Licad will return to Carnegie Hall as the only musician among the Ten Outstanding Filipinos in America (Tofa) of 2018.
The pianist had performed a recital at the Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall and got a standing ovation last January.
After the Tofa awards, Licad will fly to San Francisco for an all-Chopin recital at the Mission Basilica Church on Nov. 10.
She will then enplane back to the Philippines for the All-Chopin music fest at the main lounge of the Manila Polo Club on Nov. 27, 7 p.m. The concert will raise funds for the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Society, Inc. and for Childhope Philippines, Inc.
Licad will then go to the provinces for five outreach destinations: Nelly Garden Iloilo (Nov. 29, 6 p.m.); Molo Church, Iloilo (Nov. 30, 6:30 p.m.), SM Iloilo (Dec. 1, 7 p.m.); CAP Auditorium Baguio City (Dec 6, 7:30 p.m.); and Gerry Roxas Foundation Auditorium in Roxas City (Dec. 8, 6 p.m.)
The all-Chopin program in Manila and the provinces will include two nocturnes, a Mazurka, Fantasie Op. 49, Berceuse in D flat major Op. 57, Scherzo No. 2 in B flat minor Op. 31 and Twelve Etudes Op. 10.
The first Filipino to win Poland’s Grand Prix du Disque from Warsaw’s Chopin Society for her recording of the F Minor Chopin concerto with André Previn and the London Philharmonic from Warsaw’s Chopin Society, Licad admits Chopin— like other masters—is not an easy composer to interpret.
She posted on Facebook before the Carnegie Hall awards night: “Preparing Chopin’s music, as always it takes tremendous courage to perform his great masterpieces for the public. Hope to deliver an evening of emotional adventure to the listeners. And may the force be with me.” –CONTRIBUTED
For inquiries on the Nov. 27 Chopin festival in Manila, call 895 2109, 0917-570 8301.
For the Iloilo concerts sponsored by the City Government of Iloilo, call 0906-5104270, e-mail artsnewsservice @gmail.com. For the Baguio concert, call 7827164, 0918-3473027, 0920-9540053.