WARDING OFF UNWANTED PEOPLE DURING TIMES OF DISTRESS
By: Iris P. Concepcion

It is truly right: when you are pinned down at all levels, art does save.

Yesterday, I attended the combined Phil-German series of musical productions and had an evening mesmerized my chime dialogues.

I wonder how instruments would converse. I got my answer last night: magically.

It reaffirms my trust to mankind and its nuanced humanity, this pursuit for decency and goodness via artistry. The loud kibitzers were silenced. The conductor was young, energetic. I swear to God he can be a rockstar. He has curly hair, a winning smile and hands that caressed his baton like muted wind. Enthralling.

I liked best the rendition of Richard Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathustra Op.30. It started rather slow but then came a loud gong of the bass drum. I was bewitched and mesmerized like I was caught in a fairy tale. Like the doves hovering in front of the unfinished swimming pool ( a curious installation), I can only weep silently as I always do when gifted with world class acts in my little nook of the metropolis.

This was my dream ever since. That the best of the universe may be made accessible to ordinary folks. It is only through cultural orientation that we can begin to restore our pride as a people who shoot for nothing but excellence. Yes, this is more than sports. This is total cleansing of the soul. These young kids took their flutes like wonderful ballet dancers in tutus.

It was also educational in that the lustre of the song "Ako Ay Pilipino" lost its shine. I did not know some of its notes were appropriated from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Concerto in A major K . 622. Can the dead composer spit his saliva and cringe at this false misrepresentation?

The rendition of Lucrecia Kasilag's Divertissement was like a humming conversation inside my head. It was playful and like a mini-novellete that started with Le Carre and ended with O. Henry.

I was with fellow ear-addicts to wonderful music. We can only strive to compose superior productions if we are exposed to how our neighbors in the world do it.

That is when we crave, thirst and yearn to surpass them.

As a nation? That is a lofty goal. And I do not mean kicking that football inside the net.

Thank you creators. I would not mind going hungry for as long as I am with your company.

As an aside, Davao must be praised for braving the storm and went on to stage its multi-dimensional visual fora during its art festival. I heard it was a huge success and was attended by the biggies in literature. I am baffled that this is becoming regionalized but I keep on hoping, dreaming. Read Krip Yuson's (Philippine Star) article on it and my law school buddy Isagani Zarate (Philippine Daily Inquirer).