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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider The watchable cellist

The watchable cellist

Published Nov 22, 2024 04:01 pm

MEDIUM RARE

Jullie Y. Daza

A cellist occupying center stage with a full orchestra supporting her – how often are we allowed to enjoy this kind of a show?


The last time I attended a cello concert, about three years ago, the performer was 13 years old or thereabouts. After the show, I remember very clearly now, I asked him, “How does one so young keep such a store of emotions inside his chest?” Damoodar das Castillo was too shocked or too young to reply.


At 16 today, Damoodar is the winner of five international competitions. Quite a record! What pride he brings us! 


As a solo star of the musical stage, the cello is not all that common; we don’t get to watch many cello concerts hereabouts.  


Last week, on Nov. 15, cellist Sara Sant’Ambrogio arrived for a single performance with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Grzegorz Nowak. She landed in the morning, apparently free of jet lag, went straight to rehearsal, and by evening was playing as soloist to a delighted audience at Samsung Theater for the Performing Arts. Sara chose to play Elgar’s cello concerto, for which she received a standing ovation and several curtain calls from an audience who wanted more! more!


Even the weather was forced to be nice to her, no rain that night, during the typhoon season.


The Grammy Award-winning Sara, described by an instant fan as “looking like a Vogue fashion model,” was an enchanting sight in her strapless gown in crimson silk. I can only imagine how much fun journalists with even the slightest appreciation of classical music might have enjoyed a press conference with her earlier in the day.


According to the program notes, Sara has played “from Austin to Amsterdam, Beijing to Boston, from Hollywood Bowl to Carnegie Hall.” As expected, her performance in Makati was passionate, full of verve and color, as the composer would have wanted it. What I would’ve given to have had a conversation with her!   


A day or two after her concert, Sara was whisked away to the private island of Amanpulo where, if she’s lucky, she’d have found a lobster crawling royally on the shore. 

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Jullie Y. Daza Medium Rare
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