ABS-CBN Philharmonic to perform with Bocelli
The ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra is set to perform with the worldfamous Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli in his April 26 concert at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.
“It started out as an inquiry (from Bocelli’s group). So, we sent videos of our classical performances upon their request. Magaling naman talaga ang orchestra so I’m not surprised that they really chose us,” said Maestro Gerard Salonga, the conductor of the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra.
The concert forms part of Bocelli’s ongoing Cinema world tour to promote his 15th album with the same title. It will also be the classical music icon’s second time in the Philippines after more than a decade.
“A lot of the musicians (in ABS-CBN Philharmonic) were in the orchestra that played in his last concert in the country. Of course, the guy is really talented, an amazing singer and musician. It doesn’t matter how many times you see him, he always amazes me.”
The upcoming performance is just one of the highlights in the orchestra’s calendar of events this year.
Recently, the ABS-CBN Philharmonic held a small-scale, but intensive pilot workshop on conducting. Young musicians Francis Concio, Toma Cayabyab and Ejay Yatco were invited to train with Gerard and the 42-piece orchestra.
“We were looking for an assistant conductor a few months ago but that didn’t work out. So, I thought, okay, if we can’t find one, let’s see who we can teach. That’s how (the idea to hold the workshop) started,” Gerard said.
The essential requirements of a potential conductor include understanding of the basic conducting technique, mastery of an instrument, and a historical and theoretical background on music. “Then, there’s that extra thing,” Gerard mused, referring to that special charm to command a group of accomplished musicians to do things “even if against their will.”
The workshop participants learned this and more during the three-day training that culminated in a recital at the ABS-CBN Dolphy Theater.
Francis, a musical scorer/arranger, conducted John Williams’ The Mission
NBC as his recital piece. His family, led by his mom, ABS-CBN executive adviser to the chairman, chief content officer and ABS-CBN University president Charo Santos-Concio, came to show their full support.
Toma, on the other hand, is a choral conducting major at the University of the Philippines. He conducted the Visayan love song Usahay and the Kapampangan folk song Atin Cu Pung Singsing, both of which were rearranged by his father, OPM luminary and maestro Ryan Cayabyab.
Theater musical director and composer Ejay performed his own work titled Friction during the recital. Ejay has the conducting genes as well because his grandfather is the brother of the late orchestra conductor and violinist Maestro Oscar Yatco.
“We went with the people we know for their musical capabilities, what they need from conducting and what they’re going to use it for,” said Gerard.
Meanwhile, the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra will be turning four years old this year.
“The orchestra is getting better and better,” Gerard said, “but we’re sort of in a limbo because wala pa naman talagang concert venue ang orchestra.” A venue that the ABS-CBN Philharmonic can call home is very important so that it can enjoy a full season of shows, and grow if not sustain a following. Right now, “we only borrow venues.”
That is expected to change in roughly two years’ time though. Gerard shared that a hall is being built in Rockwell and it’s going to be the official residence of the orchestra. Additionally, an orchestral scoring and recording station is in the pipeline.
“So, exciting times ahead,” said Gerard. “The commitment (of ABS-CBN Corp.) is very strong. They weren’t kidding when they said they were going to back us up.”
Apart from shows and projects like scoring for such films as the upcoming
Ang Larawan, the orchestra is pouring much energy and effort into outreach education programs. Gerard said, “The music is there to inspire, so you have to find people to inspire.”