THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 28, 1995 TAG: 9504270146
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Marlene Ford
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
The music of the Philippines is important to its people. The lively rhythms; the rustic folk songs sung in more than 87 dialects are part of its combined Southeast Asian, Spanish and American flavor.
However, what few Westerners know is the existence of equally fascinating Filipino classical music. It's this art repertoire for solo instruments, chamber ensemble and orchestra that is most important to a trio of performers here in Virginia Beach.
At 8 p.m. Wednesday a concert titled ``Classical Music of the Philippines'' will be presented by Dr. Jorge Joaquino, violin; Avelina Iberra, pianist; and Cora O. Comacho, voice, at the Ramada Inn on the Beach, 615 Atlantic Ave.
The program is one of a series of free concerts given as part of the 74th annual convention of the Virginia Federation of Music Clubs.
Joaquino explained, ``This is the music we were brought up on. And it is a hybridization - very Slavic and sentimental, but also Spanish and European. It is our own native art form.''
Filipino classical music is similar to the 19th century European Romantic style. The harmonies are full and the melodies very lyrical. However, while Bach, Beethoven and Brahms are mainstays for Filipino musicians and concert-goers, according to Joaquino, their concert stage is typically shared by such other composers as Francesco Buencamino and his ``Mayon Concerto,'' depicting the Mayon Volcano in the Albay Province, and Ernesto Vallejo's ``Habenera Filipina'' No. 2, a languid Latin-sounding dance.
While the trio only performs occasionally, the members are all dedicated community musicians.
Iberra, who also teaches piano, added, ``This is the music of our parents and grandparents. We don't want to let it die. We want others to enjoy it, too.''
The convention's concert schedule continues at 8 p.m. Thursday with members of the Virginia Beach Chorale and 9 p.m. next Friday with Victoria Wyatt, pianist. All are free.
Hosting the convention, which is from Wednesday through May 6, are Cradock Music Club, Portsmouth Music Study Club, Scherzo Music Club of Norfolk and Thoroughgood Music Club of Virginia Beach. The organizations are all part of the National Federation of Music Clubs, whose mission is to support and develop American music and musicians through scholarship funds.
AN EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS by Virginia Beach artist Terry Strohkorb opens at Praha Gallery, 259 Granby St., Norfolk, today.
The exhibit, titled ``Release,'' includes large-scale oil paintings, rich with layers of paint, translucent glazes and wax.
The exhibit continues through May 14. ILLUSTRATION: Jorge Joaquino on violin and Avelina Iberra on piano will
perform in a concert titled ``Classical Music of the Philippines''
at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Photo by
MARLENE FORD
by CNB