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Riveting duo-pianists

By Rosalinda L. Orosa
Lifted from Sundry Strokes / The Philippine Star (Opinion)
July 23, 2008 / p. 13
Posted: Tuesday August 19, 2008 10:30 AM

Whoever conceptualized “A Classic Evening”, which was staged at St. Cecilia’s Hall, did a remarkable job.  Widely diverse piano-duo selections and arrangements represented Filipino, Czech, Spanish, Russian, French and American composers who fascinated the audience, each in his own distinctive manner. 

The program ranged from the ineffably, incomparably lyrical (Cuenco’s Bato sa Buhangin and Velarde’s Minamahal Kita), to the vigorously rhythmical (Rachmaninov), to quaint, melodious folk dances (Dvorak), to pounding verve and zest (Milhaud’s Braziliera, Arthur Benjamin’s Jamaican Rhumba and Manuel Infante’s El Vito from Danses Andalouses), to the infectiously syncopated (Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm Variations), ending with recurring and compelling harmonies (Lecuona’s Malagueña).  

Marguerite Echaus was in most of the numbers, thus proving her versatility; she and Priscilla de la Fuente-Sison, in the Filipino opening, conveyed the song’s melodious character in refined, gentle, fluid fashion.  Martha Brickman and Greg Zuniega highlighted the concert with their striking power, zest and finger dexterity through the rapid runs and brisk tempo of the Jamaican Rhumba and El Vito. 

Other highlights: Zuniega and Echaus in Rachmaninov’s frenzied Tarantella, Zuniega and Brickman with riveting spirit and sparkle in selections from Bizet’s Jeux d’ enfants; Brickman and Echaus in Milhaud’s fiery Braziliera; Zuniega and Echaus in Gershwin’s fascinating, jazzy Variations.  

Listeners admired and were often awed by the renditions as mood, style and technique of the partners melded, as seamless rapport emerged between them.   

The resounding applause at concert’s end led to Gounod’s Waltz from Faust arranged for four pianists.  “A Classic Evening” was certainly the best duo-piano concert I had heard in recent years.  Present at the event for the benefit of the Battig Music Foundation and the Loyola School of Theology, were Federico O. Escaler, SJ, SSC President Sr. Angelica Leviste, OSB, Dean Sr. Mary Placid and her assistant Sr. Agnela. 

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