Thursday, May 24, 2007 Uytiepo to play Graciano Lopez Jaena rhapsody By Rolly L. Espina
“I’LL play as my piece de resistance the Graciano Lopez Jaena Rhapsody”.
That was the terse declaration by internationally known pianist Pancho Uytiepo during the last meeting of the Lopez Jaena clan organizers at the Pearl Manor along North Drive.
For Uytiepo, he also has a rich repertoire that may depend on the atmosphere of the reunion whether he plays them or not.
Violeta Bunol and Jolie Mascunanan were among the most thrilled by Uytiepo’s willingness to display once more his keyboard talent to members of the clan, which he belongs to.
But they were in for a more startling development. Uytiepo called up Mary Ann Espina, daughter of journalist Rolly L. Espina and considered the leading pianist of the country and asked her to interpret on the keyboard his compositions.
Among those he mentioned were Bacolod na Karon and Bougainvella. But for Uytiepo, the most important was his Lopez Jaena Concerto which had penned a few years back but had never ventured to play in public yet.
“I am not getting any younger. I’m already in the eighties and I want to be assured that these compositions will not be relegated to the dustbin after I die,” Uytiepo told Mary Ann.
And that included a promise by Nenen Espina, the soprano daughter of Rolly, that she would sing the lyrics of the compositions of Uytiepo.
Pancho will be the main offering of the clan during their May 26 reunion at the Sta. Teresita Academy of Silay City.
Antique Governor Sally Zaldivar-Perez has been invited as guest speaker. She is the chairperson of the Western Visayas Historical and Cultural Council. She is also chair of the Regional Development Council.
Neither Mary Ann nor Nenen Espina could attend the reunion. Both had long been scheduled to attend the UST Music Camp in Ilocos. This aims to develop talented young people in the musical arts.
Salvilla had already written several compositions, the most foremost works being masses and religious hymns.
Espina was informed by Jess and Vir Lopez as well as by Ramon Conlu that they estimated some 250 clan members will attend the May 26 reunion.
This was based on the clan members who had been attending from time to time reunion organizer’s meetings and indicated their desire to join the meet.
