A Refreshing Repertoire from the PPO as they perform Gershwin and Arturo Marquez

Breaking from playing traditional classical music, it was really refreshing to hear the PPO play different stuff last night.

When I saw their playlist for last night's show, I was pretty excited because I am a big fan of George Gershwin's work and of Latin music.

I hope in the future, they will do a full Gershwin repertoire, since it's very rare that symphonic jazz is played live in Manila.

If you watched La La Land, the influence of Gershwin on that movie's composer is very obvious and because of it - I appreciate the movie now, more than ever.

I was not familiar with the composer of the Latin music, but he turned out to be Arturo Marquez of Mexico and his works last night (El Conga del Fuego and Danzon No. 2) were crowd pleasers and the audience gave the PPO a standing ovation!!

I stood as well because it was exhilarating to hear all those percussion sounds being played (which is very rare in a classical concert).

Apparently, Mr. Marquez infuses his Mexican roots into his music, making it sound more vibrant you can even dance to it if they'd allowed you to stand up and groove!

That's why even the encore got a standing ovation!

I'm so glad I was able to watch the show, thanks to Melinda Magallanes for arranging everything!

Supporting Young Talented Classical Musicians

I cannot play an instrument to save my life - and that has been one of my life's biggest tragedies.

And it's not for the lack of trying! When we were kids, Mama sent us to this excellent piano teacher, Ms. Loyola, but to no avail.

When I became an adult, I did take keyboard and guitar lessons but my only claim to fame is playing Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry".

In other words, I have no musical talent. I could hear the notes when I sing, but when I play the instrument, I am totally lost!

And that quietly pisses me off up to now.

I could easily write an essay on the Syrian conflict and its implications on the refugee crisis in Europe - but I couldn't play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the piano!

Life is so unfair!

Because of that setback, I am always in awe of people who can play well - so well that they can ask people to pay to watch them play!

That's why I'm such a big fan of classical concerts and musicians because of the discipline they have to have just to play at such a high level!

One wrong note and tataas ang kilay ng audience mo! It's an unforgiving craft!

So anyhow, the guy beside me is Bryan, he's the son of my former teacher, Evelyn Ariza Cimafranca, the proud mom, and he was part of the violin section of the PPO last night.

I loved the part when the violinists used their hands to pluck on the instrument. I know how fragile the violin is and to pluck it to achieve that sound, composer Arturo Marquez wanted, could have easily broken a string.

It was great that he was there because last night's repertoire was something I truly enjoyed and loved to hear live!

Our Cool Parterre Vice-Presidential Box at the CCP!

I got an early birthday gift last week as I got to watch the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra at the Vice-Presidential Box of the CCP. Move over VP Leni!

I only discovered that night that there were Parterre Boxes actually facing the stage! I always thought nasa gilid lang sila.

In my fantasy world, I've always dreamt of watching the opera from the parterre boxes a la Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman) and Keira Knightley (Anna Karenina). My wish has finally been granted thanks to a kind CCP staffer - di lang nga opera - but an orchestra is close enough - choosy pa ba?

Beside our box is the Presidential Box and it seats 12 people. That's where we want to sit in the next PPO concert! LOL

By the way, these seats cost around 25-50K during the Wicked and Les Miserables run, but they're worth it, if you have that extra cash!

Album Review: Andrea Bocelli - My Christmas

Andrea Bocelli released his Christmas album last year but it was only this year that I got a copy of it.  His fans should easily like this album since Andrea has picked many famous Christmas carols and given it a classical spin.  My favorites are O Tannenbaum and the haunting The Lord's Prayer.

Andrea Bocelli's Live Album: Concerto - One Night in Central Park

Because he's a classical singer, it's surprising to find out that six of Andrea Bocelli's albums went to the US Top 10!  Impressive, since it shows the broad appeal of Andrea in the US.  His album Concerto: One Night in Central Park, peaked at #4 and this week, dips from #6 to #8.   

Below are his Top 10 albums in the US -


1999 - Sogno (#4)
2006 - Amore (#3)
2007 - The Best of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere (#9)
2008 - Incanto (#8)
2009 - My Christmas (#2)
2011 - Concerto: One Night in Central Park (#4)