The 34th International Bamboo Organ Festival, scheduled from February 19 to 27, 2009, celebrates several important anniversaries in the music world this year.  We mark the bicentennial of the death of Franz Joseph Haydn with a performance of his Great Organ Mass in E-flat Major, the 200th birthday of Felix Mendelssohn with his Motets op. 39 nos. 1, 2, and 3; and the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Las Piñas Boys Choir, main performers in the festival’s opening concerts entitled Exsultate on Feb. 19 and 20.  Also featured are Austrian artists Christian Iwan, organist, and Franziska Hammer-Drexel, soprano; Mark Anthony Carpio, counter tenor; Ervin Notes Lumauag, tenor, Eudenice Palaruan, baritone; organist Alejandro Consolacion II; and the Festival Orchestra under the baton of conductor Armando Salarza.

On February 21, the traditional outdoor Concert Under the Trees will feature the well-known alternative-rock band Rivermaya and singer-composer Arnel Pineda, now lead singer of the American rock band Journey.  An Evening of Organ Music follows on the 22nd with guest artist Christian Iwan, organist of the Cathedral in Eisenstadt where Haydn was once based.  On February 24 will be Philippine-Korean Friendship Night, with organist Yang-Hee Yun, baritone Seong-kyu Lim, and the AILM Chorale conducted by Joshibiah de Juan, which will celebrate 60 years of Philippine-Korean friendship and cooperation.  

Pagpupugay will pay tribute to our National Artists for Music Lucio D. San Pedro and Lucrecia R. Kasilag with performances of their vocal works on Wednesday the 25th.  A new composition by Alejandro D. Consolacion II for oboe and organ will be premiered on the same night, with Franz Ramirez on oboe and the composer on the Bamboo Organ.  Also participating is the UE Chorale conducted by Anna Abeleda Piquiero.

The closing concerts on the 26th and 27th of February are entitled LAUDA and will have Dr. Johann Trummer, special friend of the Festival as guest organist, playing among other works two organ concertos by George Frideric Handel, whose 250th death anniversary we are also marking this year.  Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate and Handel’s Laudate Pueri will also be heard with soprano Franziska Hammer-Drexler as soloist with the UE Chorale and the Festival Orchestra conducted by Eudenice Palaruan.  

“During these hard times, we try to keep the festival going. The International Bamboo Organ Festival is the only music festival in the Philippines recognized worldwide. It is a celebration done inside the church, which has been constructed in the 1800s. This festival is the celebration of the community, of the people. We invite you to come and join us in this marvelous celebration and experience the music personally.” Cites Msgr. Albert Venus

This year’s Festival is being presented by the Bamboo Organ Foundation, Inc. in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Department of Tourism, Former Senate President Manuel B. Villar, Jr., Congresswoman Cynthia A. Villar, Mayor Vergel Aguilar and the City Government of Las Piñas, Most Reverend Bishop Jesse E. Mercado, DD and the Diocese of Parañaque, the 60th Year of Phil-Korean Diplomatic Relations Committee and with the help of the other sponsors.