Saturday, December 3, 2011
ON A chilly, windy and rainy Wednesday night, inside the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center along 5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, despite the short notice, more than 60 musically-inclined people came, mostly Kagaya-anons based in NY & NJ and guests arrived to watch our very own world-renowned and Julliard-trained Rudolf Pelaez-Golez do what he does best, tinker with a grand piano!
It was a free concert but donations were accepted for the propagation of classical music all over the world. And what a better place to showcase this affair!
Several music lovers were already chit-chatting with the other guests while waiting for the concert to start at the lobby of the center.
Ms. Dolly Ilogon, the ever energetic, charming and lovely TV and print personality of Cagayan de Oro, was already greeting everyone and making new friends while attendees are signing up for the event.
Kalayaan Hall is located at the second floor and by 7:30pm, when everyone was already comfortably seated, the dashing Mr. Golez had his grand entrance wearing a sleek black tuxedo. He was formally introduced by Philippines Deputy Consul Tess Dizon de Vega.
Rudolf, as he is fondly called, would introduce and talk about classical piano pieces he was about to play each time so as to make the audience understand and relate to his kind of music with a sprinkling of fun and laughter. It was clearly magical watching his fingers touch those polished ivory black and white keys with much energy and gusto!
He made “playing the piano” like a child’s play. But if one can only see the intensity of his performance, one can proudly say, it is genuinely a superb maestro’s magical night!
After every performance, Rudolf would stand up to acknowledge the non-stop clapping of the mesmerized spectators. Every piece would last for roughly five to 10 minutes and even more, to the delight of everyone.
Program of the concert included the following: Mozart-Rondo in D Major K. 458, Schubert – Impromptu in G-flat Major D. 899, Debussy – Island of Joy, Abelardo – Nocturne (a real Filipino Classic!), Chopin – Fantasie Impromptu, Prokofiev – Sonata in a minor #3 and Liszt – Sonata in b minor.
The last one lasted for quite some time and if everyone watches closely, one can see the extra-ordinary style, strength, concentration, passion and power of every movement with sheer flair and talent. Just exhilarating and spell-binding!
With a standing ovation, Rudolf just couldn’t resist playing another powerful and formidable classical piano piece for which the spectators genuinely appreciated and loved.
There were photo ops after the concert and for those who stayed behind, got to converse intimately with the “maestro” himself and had more pictures taken with him.
It was indeed a successful adrenalin-charged night which made the concert truly an exceptional night to remember for all those who attended.
Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on December 04, 2011.
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