World Renowned Filipino Pianist Performs in Qatar

(Doha PE Photo)

DOHA 17 May 2018 — The Philippine Embassy in Doha, in cooperation with National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Cultural Village Foundation - Katara, organized the concert, Isang Gabi ng Musika, featuring world-renowned concert pianist, Raul M. Sunico, held in Katara Opera House last 04 May.

The concert opened with Sunico’s masterful rendition of three piano concertos by Sergei Rachmaninoff, followed by   Frédéric Chopin's Nocturne in B, op. 9 no. 3 and Polonaise in A-flat, op. 53, and Franz Liszt's Liebestraum and Vallee d'Obermann. He also played Bato sa Buhangin by Cuenco/arr. Sunico and his own arrangement of the folk songs Bahay Kubo/Leron Leron Sinta.

The concert also featured young performers, soprano, Stefanie Quintina and Jesper Mercado on piano. Quintin mesmerized the audience with her wonderful performance of Tonight (from West Side Story) by Leonard Bernstein, All The Things You Are (from Very Warm for May) by Jerome Kern and Les Filles de Cadix by Leo Delibes. She also delivered a heart-wrenching rendition of a nationalistic song, Kay Tamis ng Buhay arranged by former NCCA chairman, Felipe M. De Leon and the cheery rendition of Ang Maya by Jose Estella.

Speaking at the event, Philippine Ambassador Alan Timbayan thanked Katara for its support in promoting cultural exchanges between Philippines under the ambit of the newly-signed Culture Cooperation Agreement between PHL and Qatar.

This is the first concert hosted by the Philippine Embassy in the magnificent Katara Opera House. In the past, Katara has also hosted other events such as the performance of Ballet Philippines in 2015, movie screenings of Heneral Luna (2015) and Bamboo Flowers (2016), and a photography exhibit in 2017. END

For more information, visit www.dohape.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinQatar.