Aries Caces, resident conductor of the nation’s number one orchestra, reflected the composer’s melodic spontaneity, his feeling for large, intense climaxes — e.g. the clashes between the Montague and Capulets delineated by the brasses and percussions — the subtleties and nuances in the quivering, haunting melodies of the Romeo-Juliet love theme, the subdued string dolefully signalling the lovers’ tragic death. Indeed as a master of orchestration, Tchaikovsky was at his descriptive best.

Caces, who graduated in Conducting at the Music College in Vienna ten years ago under the tutelage of Prof. Uros Lajovic, convinced through impeccably precise direction, subtly moving the orchestra in dramatic expressiveness and magnificent eloquence. All in all a truly breathtaking experience.

This concert was produced through the kind support of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

At the invitation of the Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn, the renowned Canadian Gryphon Trio, with Annalee Patipatanakoon (violin), Roman Borys (cello) and Jamie Parker (piano), spent several days on tour in Germany. before concluding their trip with a master class at the Music College in Mainz.

One of their highlights was a concert at the Kölner Philharmonie, where the Trio performed the Concert for Piano, Violin, Cello and Orchestra, the "Triple Concerto", in C major op. 56 by Ludwig van Beethoven.

Gryphon Trio was formed back in 1993 and is headquartered at the Music College of Toronto. Beyond the classic repertoire they give time to contemporary music, and involve themselves substantially in various outreach programs of musical appreciation.

At the age of 7 Josep - also lovingly known as José - Carreras watched a movie called "The Great Caruso" starring Mario Lanza. This experience made him discover his passion for singing. Years later José Carreras belongs to the great tenors of the century. Had it not been for cinema, maybe José would not be singing.

"Belcanto in film" became a fascinating success by packing the Concert Hall to the last seat, while José introduced the enthralling Pilar Jurado (soprano), his exceptionally gifted nephews Sergi Giménez (tenor), David Giménez (conductor) and the routined Academy Orchestra of the "Gran Teatro del Liceo" in Barcelona to an enthusiastic audience.

Maybe especially noteworthy Pilar Jurado in Andrea Chenier's "La mamma morta" in a truly sovereign performance carried by fiery expression and some guttaral sounds in the low register, that remind of Maria Callas sending chills down everyone's spine. Sergi Giménez doubtlessly impresses with his "Vesti la giubba" from Gli Paglacci in a heart-tearing presentation culminating in total despair and devastation leaving the audience in trembling suspense. David Giménez, ideally suited as operatic conductor, since he literally breathes with his singers, communicates each gesture efficiently to his orchestra.

This concert was produced through the kind support of AXA Corporation and La Caixa and Carreras Foundation against Leukemia.

It is an open secret that Casalmaggiore has always been good for a surprise.

This time however 12-year old "Melody" Ye Yuan from China seems to have stolen the show. In a rehearsal of the famous Violin Concerto by Johannes Brahms she scared the wits out of even professionals by the sovreign way she handled her instrument in a for her age unthought of manner. It was unsubdued power all the way leaving no time to breathe.

This rehearsal was recorded at 1:00 am after "Melody" had already been working the whole day.

After having first earned critical acclaim during their performance in the "First Choruses of the World Festival" at the Lincoln Center in New York (1969), MADZ has been the only choir to have ever twice won the exclusive European Grand Prix in AREZZO (last in 2007). In summer 2009 these stellar singers completed a 7-week Goodwill Tour through Germany, Italy, France and Belgium, and after a brief pause continued on another 8 week Concert Tour though the USA.

During their Tour Koïchiro Matsuura, the Director-General of UNESCO, awarded MADZ the distinction of being "Artists for Peace". It went “in recognition of their efforts to promote dialogue and understanding among peoples in Southeast Asia, their contribution to extend UNESCO’s message of peace and tolerance, and their dedication to the ideals and aims of the Organization."

In the past years this award also went to the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the pianist Lang-Lang, singer Nana Mouskouri, actor Sir Roger Moore, soprano Sumi Jo and singer Harry Belafonte, just to name a few.

A new audio production of "Die schöne Müllerin" with the tenor Thomas Jakobs and the pianist Christian Strauß is about to be released.

Natural and musical wonders in the Philippines