This year marks the International Bamboo Organ Festival’s 50th anniversary, offering an exceptional program with exceptional performers.
The Bamboo Organ, center of the Festival, will feature 2 recitals. Vincenç Prunés, organist at the Abbey of Montserrat near Barcelona (Spain) will feature the organ sounds of the Abbey, which is celebrating its foundation 1000 years ago. A rich musical tradition flourished in what is known as the “Montserrat School of Music”.
A familiar face at the Festival has been the Swiss organist Guy Bovet, who will have his 10th recital this year, is featuring the Bamboo Organ in a unique way – with variations he made on Filipino hymns composed by Fruto Ramirez, Ed Hontiveros, Manoling Francisco and Nicolas Sengson.
Organ music within the liturgy will be heard during the Festival Masses of Sunday 4pm (Feb.16, 23 and Mar 2) at the San Ezekiel Moreno Oratory (Villar Sipag Compound – C-5 Extension, P’lupa, Las Pinas City) featuring organists Bernard Foccroulle (Belgium), Guy Bovet (Switzerland) and Armando Salarza (Philippines)
The highlight of this golden anniversary year will be the performance of the Marian Vespers (1610) by Claudio Monteverdi, with period instruments and a group of specialists singing this master piece of the choral music. Beverly Shangkuan-Cheng will lead the combined forces of the international ensemble In Alto of cornets, sackbuts and dulcian, instruments that were heard in 17th and 18th century Intramuros, sopranos Alice Foccroulle (Belgium) and Stefanie Quintin-Avila, tenor Ricardo Pasani (Italy) and organist Bernard Foccroulle (Belgium), together with the soloists and members of the Collegium Vocale Manila. It is a unique opportunity to hear this masterpiece live.
Since this is an organ festival, this event will also demonstrate the possibilities of the modern pipe organ with 2 manuals combined with choir music mostly from the 19th and 20th century. The 3rd edition of the Splendor of Choral Music will be brought by the UP Los Bañas Choral Ensemble directed by Roijin Suarez, accompanied at the organ by Armando Salarza. This concert takes place in the San Ezekiel Moreno Oratory at the Villar Sipag Compound along C-5 extension in Pulanglupa, Las Piñas City.
A permanent Exhibit of the “History of the Organ Culture in the Philippines” in the Bamboo Organ Museum is open to the public and a must visit. Lecture by Dr. David Francis Urrows on “Foreign Missions and Bamboo Organs” was held on Saturday Feb.22 at the Johann Trummer Auditorium (besides the church)
The Festival will conclude with the popular “Night of My Favourites”, a program of light classics that will feature the UP Singing Ambassadors and Gary Valenciano performing Filipino popular tunes.
BAMBOO ORGAN FESTIVAL
- Facebook: @bambooorganfestival
- YouTube account: International Bamboo Organ Festival (Official)
- Website: bamboo-organ.com
- Office of the Bamboo Organ Foundation – 8820-0795 or 8825-7190