The 4th
International Rondalla: Plucked String Music Festival begins with Kuwerdas ng
Pagkakaisa: Philippine Rondalla Festival from February 12 to 16, 2014 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Presented by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the
Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) through the Musicological
Society of the Philippines (MSP) and the UP Center for Ethnomusicology,
Kuwerdas Festival will highlight the genius of the Filipino in the plucked
string tradition through performances at the CCP Little Theater, an exhibit on
the History and the Development of the Philippine Rondalla, a Forum on Rondalla
Instruments Development, and a Parangal, a tribute to the composers, conductors
and dedicated rondalla teachers who have contributed greatly to the development
of rondalla music in the country and abroad.
Kuwerdas, which launches the 4th International Rondalla/Plucked
String Music Festival will be mounted in other countries where the plucked
string tradition is practiced. Kwerdas also celebrates the 10-year effort
of the NCCA and MSP in promoting, sustaining and enhancing the rondalla that
forms part of a shared plucked string tradition with countries such as Spain,
Arabia, Russia, Mexico, Australia, Israel, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Myanmar,
India, Japan and Iran, among others.
Dr. Ramon Santos, well-renowned composer and Festival Director of Kuwerdas,
regards the rondalla as an emblem of Filipino cultural identity, which has
principally contributed to the social and artistic life of the entire nation.
Santos claims that today the Filipino Rondalla is continuously developing in
the United States, Europe, Australia, and in some Asian countries.
Performing a formidable repertoire that will provide Filipino audiences an
exceptional rondalla musical experience are seven (7) of the best
rondalla ensembles in the country today that have passed the rigorous audition
recently held in Manila, Davao City, Silay City and Dipolog. Concert repertoire
includes classic and avant-garde compositions by Filipino composers, baroque
pieces by Vivaldi, Bach, Corelli and Handel; overtures by Filipino and foreign
composers.
The Filipino groups featured are the Celso Espejo Rondalla, a family rondalla
from Las Pinas City that has consistently won grand prizes in prestigious
rondalla competitions; Dipolog Community Rondalla, a group that has won in the
National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA), national level category
in 2010; Harmonya: The String Ensemble of the University of the Philippines,
Los Banos, Laguna, which dedicates its existence to the pursuit of excellence
in both classical or contemporary works; Kabataang Silay Rondalla Ensemble that
has earned the title of “Young Cultural Ambassadors of Negros Occidental”;
Lucban Pahiyas Community Rondalla, National Champion Rondalla A and Solo
Competitions, NAMCYA 2012; Maco Heights Central School Rondalla of Davao del
Norte, 3rd place winner, NAMCYA Rondalla category A 2011 and 2013;
University of the Philippines Rondalla, a group that has represented the
country in major music festivals and that promotes, preserves and explores the
versatility of the rondalla.
Joining the best Philippine rondalla groups are the plucked string artists
Fu-Shing Junior High School and NTNU Chinese Plucked Instruments Ensemble of
Taiwan as well as plucked string ensembles from Vietnam and Indonesia.
Performances are set at 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. from February 13 to 15,
and 4 p.m. on
February 16.
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