BY ALLAN POLICARPIO CONTRIBUTOR

In these times where the fast, upbeat and catchy is preferred by young people, listening to complex three-movement piano concertos or one-hour symphonies is out of the question.

And with the music industry teeming with eccentric pop stars, emo rock bands and saccharine k-pop idols, there’s just no room for Franz Liszt or Dmitri Shostakovich in a 17-year-old’s iPod playlist.

The lack of interest in classical music among the youth is one of the reasons that compelled Fr. Pedro Galende, Director of the San Agustin Museum, to organize the San Agustin International Music Festival, which has had support from the NCCA for several years considering that the San Agustin Church is a world heritage site declared by UNESCO. Now on its 11th year, the music festival aimed to bring classical music to the masses and educate the Filipino audience on this genre. Most importantly, Father Galende hoped that this event would inspire the youth to listen to classical music.

This year, a young Spanish organist, Ana Aguado Rojo was featured in the series of concerts held on November 25 to 27 inside the San Agustin Church. At the age of 15, the Palencia-born music prodigy has already performed in various concerts, and has been invited to play in prestigious concert halls all over Spain. She has worked with Federico Acitores, restorer of the San Agustin Church pipe organ, and studied organ music under the tutelage of the grand dame of organ music herself, Montserrat Torrent. At present, Rojo is finishing her master’s degree at the Sweelinck Conservatory of Amsterdam in The Netherlands.

The attendance during the early hours of the second night was sparse and consisted mostly of silver-haired couples, nuns and groups of Korean tourists. But surprisingly, a steady flow of high school and college students, still in their school uniforms, came in to watch. Without the ubiquitous lyrics about heartbreak and distress the students began to relate to the music. It was interesting to see how they responded to the occasional starts and stops, mood changes and the leisurely build-up of classical compositions.

After being introduced by Father Galende as one of the best organists in the world, Rojo smiled and coyly acknowledged the crowd. To a generous applause, she made her way up the choir loft, and opened the concert with seven rare organ compositions by Spanish and German baroque organists starting with the slow-tempo, wedding-march-like “Entrada de Clarines, antes de tocar canciones” by Andres Lorente, and ending with the rich, festive sounds of “Arrinconamela” by Robert Helmschrott.

Renowned Filipino clarinetist, Ariel Sta. Ana, to play Johann Sebastian Bach’s Sonata in G Major, then joined Rojo. The joining of the contrasting textures of sound made by the pipe organ and the clarinet was exquisite. There were the throaty, bright tones of the clarinet and the deep, full sounds of the pipe organ. With Rojo striking the browning keys of the centuries-old pipe organ with utmost fervor, and Sta. Ana swaying suavely along with the tune, they suffused the church’s baroque interiors with relaxing mellow music.

Concluding the concert was the Kilyawan Boys Choir, an award-winning vocal group composed of boys ages 8 to 24. Conducted by Mark Anthony Carpio, the choir showcased their superb vocal dynamics through seven songs, which ranged from the slow and haunting (Rorando Coeli, My Master’s House), to the exulting and powerful (Baby Born King).

When the concert ended, some students headed straight for the exit, while one was fast asleep on his mother’s shoulder. But then there were some who excitedly gathered around Rojo, asking for autographs; waiting for their turns to take photos with her. At the sides, Father Galende delightfully watched the students who all seemed to have genuinely enjoyed Rojo’s music
When asked what she thinks is the reason why the youth don’t like classical music, Rojo said that there aren’t enough chances and venues for them to listen to it. “If they [the youth] only have more opportunity [to listen to classical music] they’ll eventually like it, and hopefully, understand that classical music is more than just music. It’s culture. It makes us wiser, better-rounded persons.”

It’s easy to assume that the European youth, being in the seat of classical music, would be more involved in it than their Filipino counterparts. But that’s not necessarily the case, says Rojo.

“Young people generally don’t like classical music. They think it’s boring, and it’s no different back in Europe.” As a matter of fact, watching classical music performances in Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, one of the finest concert halls in the world, cost as low as 10 Euro, but still, less than 50 young people would show up. “I hate it when that happens,” said Rojo, adding, “Because when it comes to pop or rock music, they are more than willing to pay 50 to 100 Euros just for a single concert.”

It’s not everyday you see so many young people watching a classical music concert together. That’s why Rojo was delighted that students came in to watch her perform. She believes that in her own little way, she was able to give the Filipino youth a chance to experience classical music.

The young musician said that there is really is no simpler way to appreciate the essence of classical music than by simply taking your time, closing your eyes and listening to it. “If you close your eyes and just listen, you’ll feel and receive the music’s meaning,” she concluded.

The 11th San Agustin International Music Festival was organized by the San Agustin Museum in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Embajada de España, Instituto Cervantes, Aecid, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Ambasciata D’Italia Manila, Traders Hotel, Philippine Italian Association, L’Incontro, Royal Dutch Airlines, The Masters Touch: 98.7 dzFE and the Department of Tourism.