IT'S been some time since Davao hosted a classical concert, and thus, Davao Museum Foundation Inc. emailed to say I have a reserved a seat for the "Museo Musika, An Evening of Rhapsody" at The Pinnacle Hotel and Suites last October 16, the likelihood that I just might be going all by myself didn't sound bad at all. I'm a classical junkie.
The well-heeled were there, Davao's who's who in social circles (as the well-heeled are expected to be), but so were those who were there for the music, both heeled and sneakered. I was welcomed by Davao Museum doyenne Patria G. Montemayor and ushered in by Carmina del Rosario (I told you, they had nice heels there).
It was a delight, a walk back to the days when ballet, classical piano recitals, and classical concerts were still part of the city's cultural landscape, when just about every kid was well-taught when to clap and when not and how long to sit down without becoming restless, and every kid has to learn piano or ballet.
Daphne Jocson on the piano was her virtuoso self, but so where Mary Anne Espina (piano), Gina Medina (violin), and soprano Nenen Espina. Medina was a favorite with Tambourin Chinois. But then, that's what Tambourin Chinois by Frtiz Kreisler intends to show -- a violinist's virtuosity. And there is something about an excellent violin player that puts fun into any scene.
Tambourin Chinois capped with Habanera Filipina No. 2 spelled the whole night's mood, well into the coffee that followed.
The concert started with Sonata in Eb Major K, 302 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with Medina on the violin and Mary Anne Espina on the piano.
Then it was Jocson's turn on the piano with Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23 by Frederic Chopin. The rest:
Stizzoso, mio stizzoso by Giovani Pergolesi, Vaga luna, che inargenti by Vicenzo Bellini, and Sin tu amor by Miguel Sandoval with soprano Nenen and pianist Mary Anne; Le Grand Tango by Astor Piazzolla by Jocson and Espina on the piano; Suite No. 2, Op. 7 of Sergei Rachmaninoff by the two lady pianists; Tamburin Chinois and Habanera Filipina by Medina and pianist Mary Anne, after which they segued to the Filipino classics Mutya ng Pasig, Caturog na Nonoy and Sampung Mga Dailiri, before the whole group finally gathered together for the Katakataka.
Davao Museum has set its sights on sustaining and further stimulating community interest in the museum and is thus raising funds for the various plans and programs they have set out. The concert is but one of these fund-raising activities.
Davao Museum board of trustees are Patria G. Montemayor, president; Julian P. Rodriguez Jr., vice president; Judy Ann C. Prantilla, secretary; Sylvia J. Garcia, treasurer; Delia E. Dango, auditor; Sylvia C. Lorenzana, executive director, with Rose Elaine B. Alcantara, Rosemarie T. Cabaguio, Ma. Lourdes G. Monteverde, Ann T. Pamintuan, and Rizalina M. Pangan as trustees.