The Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation will hold a chamber-music concert featuring two of the most-loved chamber music written—the dramatic Third Piano Trio of Antonín Leopold Dvorak and the exquisite “Four Seasons” of Astor Piazzolla—in “Turning Point: A Chamber Music Evening” on March 6, 7 p.m., at Ayala Museum.
Featured artists are some of the country’s finest musicians headed by pianist Mary Anne Espina, violinist Gina Medina, and a young cellist making waves in the international music scene, Guo Qiele.
Dvorák’s Third Piano Trio is considered his most dramatic and passionate chamber-music composition. This work is a product of a series of disappointments including rejections from fellow composers, the death of his mother, and the beginning of Dvorak’s musical friendship with Johannes Brahms. Brahms had a lasting influence on Dvorak. This work placed Dvorak among the league of great composers.
After graduating from the Nadia Boulanger in Paris, Piazzolla returned to Buenos Aires to form a new tango ensemble mixing the traditional instruments with modern electric guitars. He began composing in a style influenced by jazz and avant-garde art music, and was dubbed tango nuevo. “Four Seasons” depicts the cycle of life in each of the four seasons of Buenos Aires, focusing on the urban nightlife throughout the year.
Leading the group is Espina, two-time Aliw Awardee in the Best Instrumentalist Category. Known for her excellence in chamber music, she is one of the most sought after collaborating artists in the country today. She has teamed up with violinist Frederic Pellassy of France; violinist Hagai Shaham of Israel; Russian violinist Anastacia Chebotareva, winner of Tchaikovsky and Paganini competitions; sopranos Joan Gibbons, Kaori Sato, Leigh Adolph, to name a few.
Medina has performed with distinguished artists such as pianist Nena del Rosario, violinist Chino Bolipata and cellists Willie Pasamba and Renato Lucas. She is currently the concert master of Manila Symphony Orchestra.
The sensational 16-year-old Chinese, Qiele, was named one of the 10 Talented Young Artists of China when he was only 14. Two years later, he took part in a national cello competition, Ai Qin Bei, and won the second prize. Currently he is the prized student of world-renowned cellist Qin Li Wei of Singapore.
For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999; MCOF at 7500768 or 0920-9540053; Allan 7827164 or 0918-3473027.