Liederabend: Ars gratia artists
FRANKFURT, Germany — Because we are still away on “apos-tolic mission,” we will miss “Liederabend (Evening of Art Songs) with Andion and Abel” at the Ayala Museum at 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 13.
The first part of the program will feature the PWU Vocal Ensemble and selected participants from the masterclass of Andion. The second half will have the soprano Andion Fernandez accompanied by Abel Galang II at the piano.
A sneak preview of the second half of the program:
Jeffrey Ching – Cuatro Haikus Madrileños
Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936) – Il Tramonto
Franz Schubert (1797-1828) – Gretchen am Spinnrade D. 118, Serenade D. 957, Erlkönig Op. 1
Richard Strauss (1864-1949) – Morgen, Allerseele Op. 10 Nr. 8, Zueignung Op. 10 Nr. 1
The unfamiliar composer named first in the program is the enfant terrible composer who writes experimental music, Jeffrey Ching, who is also known as the husband of Andion Fernandez.
This wouldn’t be the first time that our premier soprano and pianist team up. Andion Fernandez was our cultural attaché at the Philippine Embassy in Berlin (and concurrently a promising soprano at the Deutsche Staats Oper). It was the easiest thing to do to tap Andion and Adel Galang when I impresario-ed to re-stage Gilda Cordero Fernando’s 1995 “Jamming on Old Saya” as “100 Stitches in Time” for the Philippine embassy’s centennial presentation in Vienna. (Encore performances followed the year after in Berlin and at the Hanover Fair.)
The concert Liederabend is a joint venture of Andion and Abel for the finest and most talented artists of PWU. Abel also handles the Graduate Department of the music academy of PWU. He noted that there are undergrad students who drop out for financial reasons. Abel speaks of some extremely talented students who come from marginalized society who strive to finish their degrees. (Some, he noted, go through the day on a small pack of skyflakes; some washed clothes for others to earn transport fare for the week.)
Andion and Abel believe that the character and the future of our music depend on these outstanding students who deserve our support. The funds raised from the concert will be provide scholarships according to each student’s merit. Tickets for this Sunday concert are at 11,000 and 11,500. You can book or call the following numbers for reservation: Ms. Luisa: 526-8421 loc. 195/0977 766 9658; Mr. Chris: 0939 947 5401. (Abel sent a postscript that seniors are entitled to their usual 20% discount, and students with IDs will have it even better with 50% discount.)
Liederabend is a concert performance of the caliber that earns the endorsement of the Ayala Museum. But if it will make you feel even better, Andion and Adel are giving all proceeds to support the next generation deserving talents. FEEDBACK: