01 July 2015 - The Philippine Embassy in Brussels and Kunst Pilipino, a group dedicated to the promotion of Philippine arts and crafts, presented “Kay Tamis ng Buhay … sa sariling bayan” at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM), in the heart of Brussels, Belgium on June 13 as a musical celebration of the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.
The concert featured Brussels-based Filipino pianist Michael Cu and London-based soprano Karlene Moreno-Hayworth.
Michael Cu, has performed extensively as a soloist and accompanist in three continents. He obtained his Bachelors in Piano Performance, summa cum laude as a scholar of Reynaldo Reyes in Towson University USA. He was a student of Daniel Blumenthal in the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and finished his Master’s and Post-Grade diplomas with distinction.
During the concert, he rendered solo piano pieces such as Philippine Dance by Mariano Aguilar, Harana by Francisco Buencamino, Theme & Variation on “Walay Angay” by Lucrecia Kasilag, Ang Larawan by Francisco Buencamino, Rippling Waters by Jose V. Rodis, Klintang by Ramon Santos and Souvenir de Filipinas by Francisco Santiago
Karlene Moreno-Hayworth, is magna cum laude graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Music. She was a scholar at the Philippine High School for the Arts and was part of the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers.
She delighted the audience with her rendition of Sa Kabukiran by Manuel P. Velez, Maalaala mo Kaya by Constancio de Guzman, Usahay by Nitoy Gonzales, Kay Tamis ng Buhay by Felipe P. de Leon, Ang Maya by Jose Estrella, Sa Ugoy ng Duyan by Levi Celerio & Lucio San Pedro, and Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran by Francisco Santiago.
Kay Tamis ng Buhay, the Concert’s title is actually derived from an Aria from the opera “Noli Me Tangere”. Its original words were penned by Dr. Jose Riza and its music composed by Felipe P. De Leon.
Kunst Pilipino is headed by Albert P. Arevalo. END