The Metro Manila Concert Orchestra presents “Troika,” an orchestral palette of three great Russian composers—Khachaturian, Prokofiev and Shostakovich—on March 1, 8 p.m., at Francisco Santiago Hall, BDO Corporate Center, Makati Ave., Makati City.
“Troika” will feature Cristine Coyiuto interpreting the only piano concerto by Khachaturian. Coyiuto said the work is noted for the “colorful and richly complex harmonies, lyrical expressive themes, pulsating drive and exciting rhythms, and technically demanding yet full-blooded Russian spirit ending in a quintessentially remarkable grand finale.”
Coyiuto has been praised by a music critic as “performer of solid training, unerring musicality, emotional responsiveness and technical mastery, the epitome of elegance, refinement, sensitivity and restraint.”
Recipient of a Master of Music degree from Juilliard School, New York, Coyiuto was a lauréate of the Académie Internationale de Musique “Maurice Ravel” in St. Jean-de-Luz, France, and Genève Conservatoire in Switzerland.
She has given numerous recitals and appeared as an orchestral soloist in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines. Her 2012 performances included the Beethoven Triple Concerto with the MMCO.
Critic Rosalinda Orosa wrote of her performance: “Her tones were sparkling, refined and elegant.” Critic Antonio Hila noted the “sterling world-premiere performance” of Toledo’s new work “Psst!” for flute and piano, composed for Coyiuto and her daughter Caitlin.
Leading the MMCO is its founding music director and conductor Josefino Chino Toledo. A TOYM awardee and International Awards for Arts recipient, Toledo is noted for premiering works of Filipino composers as well as Asian composers.
As conductor of the MMCO, he has led the group to critically acclaimed 12 concert seasons and 41 concertos performed at various venues.
Completing the “Troika” program are the playful “Lieutenant Kijé Suite” by Prokofiev, the danceable “Masquerade Suite” by Khachaturian and the grand Festive Overture by Shostakovich. The three composers were condemned by the Communist Party in the infamous blacklist of 1948 for their “modernistic tendencies.”
For tickets, call MMCO at 5805400 ext. 3573, 0927-9090428, 8131866, 0917-7218009.