American pianist Roberta Rust again promises Manila concertgoers a delightful piano recital, a welcome respite from the usual local piano program fare. Gershwin and Joplin flank new names, John Sharpley, Michael Anderson, George Rochberg, and a few familiar figures from the Old World—Johann Christian Bach, Haydn and Schubert.

Roberta Rust has taught several Filipino pianists, including Jonathan Coo, Victor Asuncion, Ross Salvosa, Darren Matias, and Oliver Salonga.

For details and ticket reservations to the ROS Music Center and Bosendörfer concert, please call 440-1021 or (0917)529-8642.

“Goldberg’s playing cannot help but elicit the strongest images of the young Rubinstein and Horowitz.” (Forum, New York).

That is high praise, and it is well-deserved. Victor Goldberg, Vladimir Horowitz Competition Winner, is making waves on stages around the world with the poetry and intensity of his interpretations. The Israeli pianist presents a program that includes Mozart’s Sonata No. 9 in D Major, K. 311; Scriabin’s Sonata No. 5 in F-sharp Major, Op. 53; Scarlatti’s Sonata in E Major, K. 380; and Brahms’ Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Op. 24.

For tickets and other details, please call 440-1021 or (0917)529-8642.

Video of Goldberg in Brahms Handel Variations

The ensemble promises an evening of well-loved Broadway compositions and Filipino choral works. UP Vocal Ensemble or UPVE, is a University-based choir, under the musical direction of Dr. Raul C. Navarro from the UP College of Music Conducting Department. UPVE aims to promote excellence in singing Filipino choral music and serves as a training ground for discipline in music performance.

For ticket inquiries & reservations, visit their official website at www.upvocalensemble.com. Or contact (0917)865-9907.

Filipino-American tenor Arthur Espiritu debuts in the Philippines in Viva bel Canto, a concert of bel canto gems with soprano Rachelle Gerodias, and piansit Najib Ismail.

Rachelle, whose sterling singing is well known to the Philippine public, will find a perfect match in Arthur, who has been called a singer with a “beautiful legato”, “a regal tenor”. His career to date has included important assignments in Europe and the United States. In Europe he has performed with the Accademia of Teatro alla Scala, Piccolo Teatro di Milano and Opera Fuoco, and he looks forward to principal role debuts with Theatre St. Gallen in Switzerland in the 2009-2010 season.

For other details and ticket reservations, please call 440-1021 or (0917)584-3223.

The Metro Manila Concert Orchestra opens its Tenth Season with an anniversary concert, Chasing Barlines. The event combines the celebration with the grand launching of Koro Filipino, a 200-voice choir.

The evening begins with a photo exhibit at the auditorium lobby showcasing the orchestra’s activities since its inception. Three soloists from the orchestra will perform a movement from a concerto: Jonathan Tapac in Mendelssohn’s Violin Concert in E minor, Gilbert Asuque in Creston’s Marimba Concertino and Crystal Milarose Rodis in Chaminade’s Flute Concertino.

Koro Filipino joins the MMCO in choral pieces. Interspersed within the program are the two entries to Music Underconstruction V.

For tickets and further inquiries, please call 426-1822 and 580-5400 loc. 3850.

29 July, Thursday
Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Church

AYC 2010 Pilipinas is the project of the Koro Filipino, which brings together the finest choir singers from Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The Choir performs in Bohol on July 25 at the Assumption of Our Lady Shrine Parish in Dauis, Tagbilaran; in Dapitan on July 26 at Gloria’s Fantasyland and July 29 at the Baliangao Municipal Gym; and in Manila — on July 28 at the Philamlife Auditorium and July 29 at the Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Church.

The choir is conducted by Masashi Kishimoto from Japan and Anna Tabita Abeleda-Piquero from Philippines.

For details, log on to www.philippinechoralguild.com or call at 681-3533, 621-3365

04 August, Wednesday | 1930
R & R Duo Concert
Fleur de Lis Theater, St Paul University, Manila

The St. Paul University Manila College of Music and the Performing Arts turns 70 this year. A concert series has been lined up for the Diamond Jubilee. Events include:

Mrs. A’s Opus , a musical tribute to 50 years of piano teaching by Mrs. Chit Arambulo featuring Rowena Arrieta, Ryan Cayabyab, Oliver Salonga, Jonathan Coo, Rica Arambulo, Katherine Fernandez-Asis, Fr. Manoling Francisco, the Greenhills Music Studio Suzuki Music Kids, including premiere performances of Ryan Cayabyab by pianist Rowena Arrieta.

R & R Duo Piano Concert featuring Raul Sunico and Rowena Arrieta. This is a comeback concert of their R & R Duo Piano Concerts of the 1990s.

These are fund-raising events for the scholarship programs of the St. Paul College of Music and the Performing Arts. For inquiries pls call 524-5687.

The UST Conservatory of Music and the Guitar Department invites the public to its first International Guitar Festival: Guitarra 2010.

Lectures and Masterclasses are at the UST Conservatory of Music and concerts are at the PHILAMLIFE Auditorium at 2000.

The festival features premieres of works by Agustin Castila-Avila and Bayani De Leon.

Performing guitarists include Meng Feng Su, Ruey Yen, Agustin Castila-Avila, Manuel Cabrera II, Joseph Mirandilla, and Angelito Agcaoili.

For details, please visit www.ustguitar.org.

Viva España! is a showcase of Spanish culture and arts. The UP Guitar Orchestra and Nuevo Flamenco Manila Dancers perform; there will be Spanish poetry reading by the UP Euro-Filipino Understanding and Relations Organization (UP EURO); UP Fine Arts Students add to the visuals.

For inquiries and ticket reservations, contact (0916)643-7920 or send e-mail to cmusc1011@gmail.com.

The Seventh Annual Coro et Al Festival takes place August 8 and 15, at 6 o’clock in the evening, at the Philamlife Auditorium, UN Avenue, Manila.

This year’s participating choirs are:

Elo’i Choir
CRC Chancel Choir
Fairview Fundamental Baptist Church Choir
True Vine Singers
The Good Samaritan United Methodist Church Chorale Ensemble
Baptist Heritage Singers
Trinity University of Asia University High School Choir
FEBIAS Chorale
Manila Central University Chorale
Wesleyan University-Philippines Concert Chorus
Manila City Hall Chorale
PRC Chorale
Senate Choir

For ticket inquiries please contact Leo at 994-6271, or Archie at (0922)563-1160.