Why is music important in my life?

Music can raise someone's mood, get them excited, or make them calm and relaxed. Music also - and this is important - allows us to feel nearly or possibly all emotions that we experience in our lives.

Music is one of the most important and powerful things in my life. My life without melodies and harmonies would be totally empty. Listening to and playing different tunes helps me to de-stress, relax and it can also help to motivate me in trying times.

It is the expression of deep emotions and feelings.” “Music calms me down, lifts me up and always makes me feel a certain way. Explains things when words fail; Music speaks. Music means something that's inspiring and can match your moods Music helps me connect to life.

The music matches our mood, or it can help us change it too— it's as we wish, since we choose its purpose. Music's ability to change our mood into the direction we want, to understand and comfort us, to soothe or stimulate us in whatever way we need— is powerful and life-enhancing.

It is scientifically proven that music enhances brain function, our brains are most active as we listen to music. Some people consider music as a way to escape from the pain of life, bringing relief from all forms of stress.

At the age of four, I started playing the piano at home. I listened to several worldwide operating radio stations. I was honored to be invited to Radio Moskow during the early 1980s.  My record library, which contains about more than 20,000 different pieces, accompanied me with my book library to the Philippines. I enjoy them up to this moment.

While every country has its own ways of communicating, there’s only one language we can all understand: the language of music. We don’t even need words to understand what music is saying. Every year people from diverse backgrounds come together for live performances and festivals. When the music is being played, it seems every one understands what’s coming out of the speakers as they move in unison. In a time of deep divisions music stands to be the magnetism that is able to draw humanity together.

During the last years, I was able to share my passion for music during innumerable radio shows hosted in the Philippines.  My listeners love to tune in and leave a lot of comments and music wishes. It made me really so happy.

Music is all around us intersecting our lives, regulating our moods and bringing good vibes to those who are listening. It raises your mood, bringing excitement, or calming you down. It allows us to feel all the emotions that we experience in our lives. It has the profound ability to help those who struggle to express how they feel too.

Musicians provide a powerful therapy that helps the listener make sense of the world we are living in. People have always found music significant in their lives, whether for enjoyment in listening, for an emotional response, performing or creating. This is no different for classical music or contemporary music performers.

Music plays a very important role in bringing people together. Whether it’s a festival, concert or a club night, people come together to enjoy the music that’s being played. It doesn’t matter where you come from, everyone is the same.

As a musician your gift, your talent must never be kept hidden. You have a responsibility to populate the airways with sound.

Music is not only important in MY life. Music is everyone's life. 

MAKE MUSIC - NOT WAR!

Music - from the Greek "mousikos" and pertaining to one of the nine muses in the Greek mythology - is the art of combining sounds or sequences of notes into harmonious patterns hopefully playing to ears and satisfying to our emotions. An insipid and dry explanation - I must confess. 

Can you, my dear reader, imagine a life without music? For me, it would be such a monotonous and boring world. I don't think only about the musical "mayfly" or the so-called "musical nine days wonder". Music doesn't consists of Groove or Techno alone. I am not against these or other music trends, because each generation has its own music development. But we have greater riches of different kinds of music by going back to the Middle Ages, the Renaissance (which means 'rebirth'), the Baroque Age, the Classical Period, and the Romantic Era up to 1900. The Western tradition of music has its origins in the chant tradition of the Early Christian Era.

Everybody can develop his  or her own passion of music. When I was four or so, I grew up already with those kinds of music. I asked my parents voluntary if I could get piano lessons. It was easy for us because the church organist at that time was our neighbor and a proud owner of a grand piano. I listened my first organ recital composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. My passion of music was in stage of development that made it possible for me to join the school band. The Beatles - and Rolling Stones later - era followed - much to the disappointment of my parents and grandparents, who still dreamed of their music, such as Jazz and Swing back to the Golden Twenties.

Everybody has his or her own music philosophy. I learned from my dentist friend in Los Angeles, that her patients lose their state of anxiety by listening soft background music during having their teeth attended to. A gynecologist explainEd, that if a pregnant woman mostly listens to classical music, her child might hear, learn, find out and experience another (better?) development then other children. 

The church reformator Martin Luther (1483-1546) explained it in this way: "Many times, when I was in terrible darkness, I prayed - and I listened music, which delivered and refreshed me!" The German poet and composer E. T. A. Hoffmann said 1801: "If you start simply being speechless, music will take over!" And Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), without doubt one of the true and just awesome Western composers said: "Music is utmost revelation then an wisdom and philosophy!" 

"I feel like flying after entering a church, praying and listening the music of heaven!" the German poet Friedrich Schiller (1759-1809) philosophized about music in his drama "Maria Stuart".

A simple melody can make feel us happy, sentimental, smiling or crying, aggressive or relaxed. A form of light entertainment in which songs, dialogue, dance, and humor are combined with a not too serious plot is as much as important then a dramatic opera or the single musician or street singer, not being a man of culture, but entertaining us people.

Let's develop our own passion of music, so that we might see the great resources for our daily life, if we accept, that music plays a rule in it. Make music - not war!

MUSIC, CHRISTMAS AND GOD

Are all terms in the right order? In logical sequence? For some of you, my dear readers, they must have passed out by a dozen. 

Honestly, writing about political topics is really tiring me. Especially now and today. While writing this piece, I am getting tons of political news.Yes, I am very well understanding everything. But why do I choose "Music, Christmas and God"? Again, the right (or wrong?) order doesn't matter. Really!

Christmas is just around the corner. Almost.  I become very thoughtful and melancholy during the season. That's okay. Maybe also you. I try to delete topics such as war, corruption, killing, pandemic,natural disasters et cetera et cetera pp. I even try to delete them here in my opinion. I try to look forward to Christmas with a happy heart.

Christmas is just around the corner. God is with me daily. He is my companion during every second of my life. And, what has this to do with music?

Music has been my second life companion for many years. I remember the day my parents first lugged the heavy accordion up our front stoop, taxing the small frame. They gathered me in the living room and opened the case  as if it were a treasure chest. And guys, it really was. And, it was several days BEFORE Christmas. 

"Here it is," my parents said. "Once you learn to play it, it will be with you for life!" Thank God, it is. Believe it - up to now. Here in my house in Davao City. My very first instrument... .

Anyway, back to the past: if my thin smile didn't match my parents' full-fledged grin, it was because I prayed for a piano! It was at the end of the 1950s, and I was glued to my AM- and ShortWave Radio Stations, playing classical music 24/7. Accordions were nowhere in my hit parade - even later during the 1960s and 1970s... .

Sometime on a Sunday, one of my favourite days till now, I started taping radio shows with classical music. It seemed that I was hanging on every note. I joined the college band. But I admired classical composers such as Beethoven and Mozart, just to mention two. I never became perfect in my piano play to coax sweet sounds. I also admire people who can do so. But I developed a passion for music.

Music, God - and, yes: Merry Christmas to all of you - also from this corner, even there are still some more days.... .

10 reasons why Filipinos and Germans are alike

 

By: Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi - Philippine Star

Two worlds so far apart … a land rich in history, royalty, castles, emperors, deep and dark evergreen forests, winter wonderlands and snowy mountains, peaceful harmony in austerity and discretion in a recently reunited land; the other a young republic, tropical and lush jungles, bright sun and torrential rains, happiness in chaos, a flamboyant population in raging Asian capitalist development.

Their children have flaxen blond hair and eyes as blue as the sky. Our children have shiny raven hair and friendly, almond-shaped onyx eyes.

Germany and the Philippines, two worlds so far apart and yet we have so many things in common that many here on our warm, palm tree-lined shores have yet to discover.

1. Friendliness. I have to say that Filipinos pride themselves on being hospitable and open-hearted. We welcome guests from far-off lands and are happy to help people in need. Far from the post-World War II Golden Age of Hollywood films that portray Germans on the big screen as cold, calculating and evil Nazi soldiers, Germans are extremely friendly, kind and warm people. I’ll never forget when I left my allergy medicines back home and was trying to purchase some in a pharmacy: the lady was truly concerned, tried to find different non-prescription, homeopathic options, and when she heard me whispering in French she immediately tried to practice hers. It’s a common trait that I’ve found, whether in the countryside in a tiny organic vegetable shop or in a Berlin café, people are kind, gentile and considerate. They love to learn about where you’re from and what it’s like and are very willing to muster up English, French, Spanish or even some Tagalog words to make you feel at ease.

2. Beer. We Pinoys love our beer, ice-cold, below-zero — it’s the perfect tropical refreshment. We order by the bucket, barkada nights with friends, a nice brewski after work, buy one take one during happy hour. The Germans, however, boy, do they take their love affair with beer to another level. And I mean, it’s serious. Go to any beverage shop and it’s like you died and went to beer heaven. A whole Miss Universe pageant of glorious beer: blonds, amber, honey tones and ebony … from the palest pilsen to the richest stout, there are over 1,300 breweries in Germany that produce around 5,000 different kinds of beer. The German Beer Purity Law was introduced in 1516 and is the oldest and strictest food law in the world! The Oktoberfest (which actually occurs at the end of September) is a grandiose testament to their love of the malty bubbly. Beer is considered a beverage and not really alcohol; they even have non-alcoholic beer. The variety is so mind-boggling that the new trend is to create a getränkemarkt or beverage supermarket alongside the actual supermarket just to house the beverage section. Yes, a whole building 70-percent-filled with beer of all sorts. Some other soft drinks? Vitamalz, a malty soda that tastes not unpleasantly like liquid pumpernickel and beer. So the beer buds (taste buds) get trained and nurtured.

3. Boy, do we love our parties and barrio fiestas! Every year there’s some sort of celebration and parade where people come together to feast, dance and sing. Little German towns in far-flung areas of the countryside nestled in gorgeous wheat fields and fawn-laden forests have their own dorffest, a local band place where they come together on the town square singing and rejoicing. Translated it literally means town festival or barrio fiesta! And guess what? They have their own lechon.

4. Germany has fattiest, happiest, tastiest pigs I’ve ever seen or eaten. Oh, yes. For big celebrations they roast one whole, just like our very own lechon. Crispy-skinned and juicy spannferkel is enjoyed by everyone. It’s no wonder that German expats feel rather at home in the Philippines. They probably nix the Mang Tomas sauce and would willingly trade garlic rice for potatoes, but their love for pork is almost as strong as their love for beer.

5. Speaking of pork, the sausage connection. It’s always been a mystery to me why Filipinos love sausages so much. Back in high school, before the grand era of readily available, locally made gourmet sausages, friends would sneak into the country hand-carried kielbasa sausages. I was like any other Filipino child nourished in kiddy parties with bright neon-red hotdogs on a stick with multicolored mini-marshmallows. Thank heavens for globalization and the discovery of what a real sausage is all about. Grilled on charcoal, a variety of wursten, or sausages, start pale and turn golden and start to crack open, letting flavorful juices out. Served with some bread or potatoes or pommes (French fries) they’re absolutely delicious, the right texture and saltiness with an intoxicating smoky flavor. If our hotdog aisle looks long and ample, one trip to a German supermarket and you’ll realize the absolute pure glorification of the pig in all examples.

6. We both love live bands and cheesy local music. There’s a real local pop culture for drinking songs and festive music. The German music scene, hardly ever exported except in my language class, where I had to survive two weeks of dissecting and memorizing the melancholic and unfortunately catchy Die Griescher Wein, is thriving. Our local OPM bands are no different. I kid you not. I was in Cagayan de Oro not too long ago on an exciting Friday evening in what they call “Divisoria” and I had a flashback of a biergarten in some plaza in Hamburg. Live band music? Check. Barbecues and grilled sausages? Check. Overflowing beer? Check. For the general public in Germany, having a good time is all about hanging out with friends over a beer, some pulutan and great music.

7. Family. Germans and Filipinos are very family-oriented. There are lots of parks and activities created for the family to enjoy. Kids have a big role in society and in all the numerous restaurants and cafes, you’ll see families eating together. Unlike some other European countries and famous capitals where children are hardly ever seen in restaurants, cute little golden-haired kiddos eat like the big guys, sit happily at the table and join in conversations.

8. They can’t live without potatoes like we can’t live without rice. I didn’t realize how drastic it was until a German friend of my brother’s was in town. He came over to my house for raclette and potatoes and exclaimed: “Finally! Potatoes! All I’ve been eating is rice!”

9. Christmas. Just set foot in a mall on Sept. 1 in Manila, you’ll hear a Jingle Bells or two. Filipino Christmas is Christmas on steroids. It’s an insane moment of happiness and frenzied togetherness. Christmas in Germany is like the fairytale we try to recreate with our store-bought snow and mistletoe. The traditions, Christmas carols, the weinachsmarkt or Christmas markets are just splendid. I spent Christmas there last year going around saying, “Ooh, those are real icicles! Ah, that holly is real! And there’s honest-to-goodness real frost on it! Snowflakes really do look like snowflakes!” While they don’t play Christmas carols in September, like we do, their love for the holiday is just as deep.

10. Germans have a sweet tooth. Sound familiar? The number of eiscafes or ice cream parlors in astonishing. I can’t even fathom finishing one-eighth of the towering, mountainous gelato confections they serve. The only places I’ve seen lines just as long for ice cream is the Philippines. Donuts, apfelstrudel, tarts and pastries of all kinds… Your Dunkin Donuts/Mr. Donut Bavarian cream? Well, honey, Bavaria is southern Germany. Every merienda moment is sweet kiss from Deutschland.

Although my German is minimal, I did notice that after a few “Prosts, Mabuhays,” and several glass-clicking moments, more and more words and phrases get unlocked. It doesn’t take much to feel at home in Germany: I’ve got my beer, my sausages, my cheesy music and warm, friendly faces: I raise my glass and churn out the most sophisticated phrase I know in German: Auf das was wir lieben! To the things we love! Then we chug the beer, hope for the best and the hung-over morning after, the pharmacy guy will be extra nice.

How does music affect the culture of the Filipinos?

Bisaya

Barok and Takya Blog | Bisaya Podcast

Music as a whole can be used as an encouraging or depressing way to look at life. In this sense, it plays a big role in shaping the culture and values of people and the rest of the world. We see this through kundiman - it carries sentiments and emotions that evoke memories and images for Filipinos. These may clash with the outside world, but this clash gives us identity: these cultural imprints are then integrated back into society to create our metamorphosis into another era. So it's not just about tradition; it's also about forging new ground for generations to come.

This ever-evolving system creates such wonderful flavours that we're able to adapt ourselves better than ever before--we learn new things and explore different ways to make the best out of them. Music is one way we express ourselves, and through this method, we show our appreciation for humility and hard work, two values that shape our bustling nation into a happy place worth living in.

So what does music really mean to Filipinos? It simply tells us where we've been and where we could go. It tells a story that everyone can appreciate and relate to, which is why it's a big part of every Filipino culture.

MAKE MUSIC - BEAT THE BLUES

Have you noticed that there is hardly any article, no column, no television program, or no radio show without mentioning  the pandemic and the virus. I am telling you "Beat the blues". Yes, by making music! If you're not playing an instrument, you'll surely find ways to listen to music.

Music - from the Greek "mousikos" and pertaining to one of the nine muses in the Greek mythology - is the art of combining sounds or sequences of notes into harmonious patterns hopefully playing to ears and satisfying our emotions. An insipid and dry explanation - I must confess.

Can you, my dear reader, imagine a life without music? For me, it would be such a monotonous and boring world. I don't think only about the musical "mayfly" or the so-called "musical nine days wonder". Music doesn't consist of Groove or Techno alone. I am not against these or other music trends, because each generation has its own music development. But we have greater riches of different kinds of music by going back to the Middle Ages, the Renaissance (which means 'rebirth'), the Baroque Age, the Classical Period, and the Romantic Era up to 1900. The Western tradition of music has its origins in the chant tradition of the Early Christian Era.

Everybody can develop his  or her own passion for music. When I was four or so, I grew up already with those kinds of music. I asked my parents voluntarily if I could get piano lessons. It was easy for us because the church organist at that time was our neighbor and a proud owner of a grand piano. I listened to my first organ recital composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. My passion for music was in the stage of development that made it possible for me to join the school band. The Beatles - and Rolling Stones later - era followed - much to the disappointment of my parents and grandparents, who still dreamed of their music, such as Jazz and Swing back to the Golden Twenties.

Everybody has his or her own music philosophy. I learned from my dentist friend in Los Angeles, that her patients lose their state of anxiety by listening to soft background music while having their teeth attended to. A gynecologist explained that if a pregnant woman mostly listens to classical music, her child might hear, learn, find out and experience another (better?) development then other children.

The church reformator Martin Luther (1483-1546) explained it in this way: "Many times, when I was in terrible darkness, I prayed - and I listened to music, which delivered and refreshed me!" The German poet and composer E. T. A. Hoffmann said in 1801, "If you start simply being speechless, music will take over!" And Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), without doubt one of the true and just awesome Western composers voiced out, "Music is utmost revelation then wisdom and philosophy!"

"I feel like flying after entering a church, praying and listening to the music of heaven!" the German poet Friedrich Schiller (1759-1809) philosophized about music in his drama "Maria Stuart".

A simple melody can make us feel happy, sentimental, smiling or crying, aggressive or relaxed. A form of light entertainment in which songs, dialogue, dance, and humour are combined with a not too serious plot is as much as important then a dramatic opera or the single musician or street singer, not being a man of culture, but entertaining us people.

Let's develop our own passion for music, so that we might see the great resources for our daily life, if we accept, that music plays a role in it. Make music - not war! And beat the blues in times of the "Big C"!

Music to my ears!

My column in Mindanao Daily, Businessweek Mindanao, The Cagayan de Oro Times.

Music - from the Greek "mousikos" and pertaining to one of the nine muses in the Greek mythology - is the art of combining sounds or sequences of notes into harmonious patterns hopefully playing to ears and satisfying to our emotions. An insipid and dry explanation - I must confess. 

Can you, my dear reader, imagine a life without music? For me, it would be such a monotonous and boring world. I don't think only about the musical "mayfly" or the so-called "musical nine days wonder". Music doesn't consists of Groove or Techno alone. I am not against these or other music trends, because each generation has its own music development. But we have greater riches of different kinds of music by going back to the Middle Ages, the Renaissance (which means 'rebirth'), the Baroque Age, the Classical Period, and the Romantic Era up to 1900. The Western tradition of music has its origins in the chant tradition of the Early Christian Era.

Everybody can develop his  or her own passion of music. When I was four or so, I grew up already with those kinds of music. I asked my parents voluntary if I could get piano lessons. It was easy for us because the church organist at that time was our neighbor and a proud owner of a grand piano. I listened my first organ recital composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. My passion of music was in stage of development that made it possible for me to join the school band. The Beatles - and Rolling Stones later - era followed - much to the disappointment of my parents and grandparents, who still dreamed of their music, such as Jazz and Swing back to the Golden Twenties.

Everybody has his or her own music philosophy. I learned from my dentist friend in Berlin, that her patients lose their state of anxiety by listening soft background music during having their teeth attended to. A gynecologist explained, that if a pregnant woman mostly listens to classical music, her child might hear, learn, find out and experience another (better?) development then other children. 

The church reformator Martin Luther (1483-1546) explained it in this way: "Many times, when I was in terrible darkness, I prayed - and I listened music, which delivered and refreshed me!" The German poet and composer E. T. A. Hoffmann said 1801: "If you start simply being speechless, music will take over!" 

And Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), without doubt one of the true and just awesome Western composers stated: "Music is utmost revelation then an wisdom and philosophy!" 

"I feel like flying after entering a church, praying and listening the music of heaven!" the German poet Friedrich Schiller (1759-1809) philosophized about music in his drama "Maria Stuart".

A simple melody can make feel us happy, sentimental, smiling or crying, aggressive or relaxed. A form of light entertainment in which songs, dialogue, dance, and humor are combined with a not too serious plot is as much as important then a dramatic opera or the single musician or street singer, not being a man of culture, but entertaining us people.

Let's develop our own passion of music, so that we might see the great resources for our daily life. Let's accept, that music plays a rule in it. Maybe the major rule... . 

Those were the days ...

---

HAVE MY SAY
By KLAUS DORING

TIME flew by. I think sitting in a jet plane. Almost December again. Wow!

Do you always count the days up to the next legal holidays without being on duty? Or do you start as early as September longing for Christmas?

Many times, we are really too much in a hurry while feeling uncomfortable if we noticed how time flies. We have no time for someone or something or even for ourselves.

When I was still a teenager, I was longing for the time being an adult already. Later, I enjoyed listening to my grandmother’s stories such as “Once upon a time” or “When I was young” from her “yesterday’s life”... .

After a couple of years, especially while observing that time really flies like a racket to the moon, I also got the same question in mind: Are the present hours and days less valuable?

Of course, each day has its own set of happiness and trials. But it also holds very high possibilities of we take the initiative to do or to move something, if... !

The luring term IF let us look into the future with an over “glistening” eye: IF I will finish my studies, IF my children have become adults, IF I might become rich because I win in the lottery, yes IF? And then?

Why do I am getting so thoughtful or even sentimental? I got the great opportunity being invited by the City Mayor’s office thru City Administrator and good friend Attorney Lyca Lopez for the Pasko Fiesta sa Davao event with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Manila, soloist Erik Santos and the Nightingales. The PPO under its conductors Yoshikazu Fukumura and Herminigildo Ranerda performed for the first time in Davao City. Erik Santos, the first grand champion of the ABS-CBN singing competition Star in a Million Season 1, touched all of us with his soulful voice.

And then, the Nightingales - a vocal duo featuring Bianca Camille Lopez and Ma. Rhina Paula Palma-Cruz, both former members of the Philippine Madrigal Singers.

While listening to all these amazing and unforgettable performances, I always got in mind: Those were the days. How time flew by. The concert last almost 2 1/2 hours.

The future prospects smile at us already. I was looking already for the 2019-calendar. Setting appointments for January and February. Amazing. Is life in future easier, nicer, more charming and being more fulfilled compared to the present? The thoughts fill me with horror, because tragicomic future visions can easily blur away our present day.

Many of us retreat into the past and forget their present existence. A possible topsy-turvy world of a golden youth tries to let us forget that also the past have had its share of disappointments, pains, tears, darkness, tricky as well as desperate days... yes, lost days, irretrievable time... .

Without having achieved anything to do, we dream our impossible dreams from last to future and vice versus. We forget that between yesterday and tomorrow is our valuable present. Well, now well then - if we know just how to fulfill this period.

Kraftwerk win Grammy Award ...

... for best electronic album

Kraftwerk, the pioneering German band, has won the Grammy for best dance/electronic album. The band already won a lifetime achievement award four years ago.

Kraftwerk's "3-D The Catalogue" won best dance/electronic album at the Grammy Awards on Sunday ahead of the main ceremony.

It was among dozens of categories awarded before the televised show at New York's Madison Square Garden on Sunday night.

The Düsseldorf-based group, known for its robotic-like style since the 1970s, assembled its winning album from retrospective performances given at museums, including New York's Museum of Modern Art.

Those recordings were remastered to exclude extraneous crowd noise, unlike traditional live albums. The word 3-D in the title refers to glasses given to audience members.

The multimedia package includes eight CDs and a vinyl record, providing surround-sound versions of Kraftwerk's classic tracks such as "The Robots," "Pocket Calculator" and "Trans-Europe Express."

Kraftwerk co-founder Ralf Hütter

Other competitors in the category best dance/electronic album were "Migration" from Bonobo, Mura Masa's self-titled album, "A Moment Apart" by Odesza, and "What Now" by Sylvan Esso.

The band was awarded a Grammy for lifetime achievement in 2014.

'Beatles of electronic dance'

Kraftwerk was formed in Düsseldorf in 1970 by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider and is credited with influencing music styles such as electropop, Detroit techno, and hip-hop.

In 1974, its title ''Autobahn" broke worldwide into the English-speaking top charts.

In 1997, the New York Times described Kraftwerk, already nearly three decades old, as the "Beatles" of electronic dance music.

Religion and music

MON, OCTOBER 31, 2016 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINION
KLAUS DORING

Yes, both belong together like a fish and an ocean, light and life, the voice and the ear. In the entire universe, we humans are probably the only beings capable of creating and hearing music. The ability to hear is one of the specific gifts that our Creator gave us.

Our fragile blue planet is surrounded by a thin layer of gases only a few kilometers high. Only this atmosphere is the reason why sound waves can spread through the air. Everything behind this atmosphere is ruled by the sheer endless vacuum of outer space, where galaxies and stars explode and implode in impenetrable silence.

According to the biblical narrative, the world began when God broke through this deadly quiet: “And God said: Let there be light!” (Genesis 1:1). God spoke – and light and life resulted from His audible voice. Because life was created by the word, it depends on the word. That is why it is in the nature of every person to listen. Like a parabolic mirror, our souls are created to listen to the eternal space of the hereafter, to try and sense whether a word, a sound or a voice is trying to reach us from there, in order to fill us with meaning.

I love music. I can’t live without music. Hold on, this is not one of my earlier columns in this paper. But from time to time, I need to express myself if it comes to this topic. And, I know, that Filipinos love big tunes with great words and beautiful melodies, especially, when it comes to classical music. I experienced this many times during the last six years while hosting several radio shows with classical music and inspirational thoughts.

+++

Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me in Facebook or Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.

Malu Barry Live in Concert in Davao City

Philippine Opera Company

The members of the Philippine Opera Company’s Young Artists group

MANILA, Philippines - After a successful first season, The Philippine Opera Company presents the Young Artists Series Black Box event on March 20, 6:30 p.m., at the Opera Haus with Elite.

In the theater the term Black Box refers to a devoted space where daring experiments and new visions are tested through performance. Performers who choose to go and perform in a black box are usually the ones with most open hearts and sincere desires to hone their talent.

Last January, the Philippine Opera Company hosted a “Black Box” affair for its Young Artists Series (YAS). The YAS started in October 2012, as a soiree every third Wednesday of the month featuring the Young Artists of the Opera Company. After the success of the first two events, artistic director Karla Gutierrez and artist-in-residence, mezzo soprano Clarissa Ocampo, decided to enhance the program by engaging the artists in more creative work and perform scenes from various operas, as well as, musical theater pieces that have crossed over into the classical arena. What makes this event different from the rest is the challenge given to the young artists to hone and develop their artistry by giving them the opportunity to stage their own scenes. To assist and mentor these artists, POC invited several established and well-known directors in the theater industry.

The Philippine Opera Company closes the series by putting the spotlight on their best and strongest Young Artists. An “Elite” YASer is a Young Artist who exemplifies attributes of a world-class artist and musician. They possess exceptional vocal prowess and unmatchable performances throughout the YAS season. These artists will perform Opera scenes from Bellini’s I Capuletti ed I Montecchi, Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, Gounod’s Faust, Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Poulenc’s La Voix Humaine, Delibe’s Lakme and Verdi’s La Traviata.

The show features Gabriel Panlilio, Marian Santiago, Twinkle Prietos, Lara Maigue, Ellrica Laguardia, Lena McKenzie, Cris Go, Al Gatmaitan, Lawrence Jatayna, Janine Santos, Joseleo Logdat and Clarissa Ocampo with surprise guests.

For inquiries, call the Philippine Opera Company at 822-9609 or 0917-5272880.

Jessica Could Go Home on "American Idol"

On Wednesday's night's American Idol (in the Philippines last night!) the finalists perormed three songs each, fighting for their spot in the final two.

Joshua Ledet, 20, was the first performer, and he got all three judges up on their feet following his strong rendition of Etta James' "I'd Rather be Blind".

Though the evening seemed like ti was Ledet's, Phillip Phillips' final performance gave Ledet a run for his money.

Jessica Sanchez, 16, was by no means lost in the crowd. Sad to say! She made herself prominent by boldly performing Aero Smith's "I don't want to miss a thing". Steven Tyler gave her a standing ovation, though he was the only one of the judges to do so.

Her other songs were both powerful and memorable.

But, who goes home? And who made the difference? We will see tonight.

Proud Pinay Singer

London-based Filipina singer Cherrie Anderson said, she and her band Ooberfuse were happy with reception they got from the crowd during their performance in Spain. 

I like especially Cherrie's song "Faith in You", composed by herself, the band's Filipina lead singer and songwriter.

Here is more: 

 
Pinay singer proud of WYD performance

Neverheard? You should NOW!

My life as an expat in the Philippines is indeed very colorful (as I just stated in my weekly column in Mindanao Daily Mirror). I met a lot of people - and, my hobby, the music, has become also my "job" several times, i.e. as radio host for several years in Davao City.

I love to support local Philippino talents, i.e. NEVERHEARD. These young talented boys were born and raised in the lands where many and mostly talented people are, in Davao and Digos City. Please correct me, if I am wrong. They are presently studying in exclusive colleges and universities. This band (Alternative, experimental -!- and hard rock!)  may not be your real alternative rock band. They may jove to the sails (as they said) where the waters bring them. But, believe me, give them a try. 

Jediver Pontilar - vocalist, Richmond Damag - guitars, Simon Guillen - bass, Francis Dy - keyboards, Rav Estores - drums are the band members.

For more info please contact Joveth Gabutero Tubiano (also my Facebook friend), the band manager and event organizer of NeverHeard at 0942-7828030 or 0939-2242991.

Believe me, I seldom use this site for any promotions. NEVERHEARD is one of the very rare examples... .

Music That Really Soothe

Another inspirational album is bound to bring serenity and enlightenment to one's soul - yes also to mine. Star Records launched its Sa 'Yo Lamang Album'! Gosh, what a music!

Produced by Jamie Rivera, this album is a collection of really heavenly voices interpreting 12 of the most loved and indeed timeless heart warming songs in a wonderful glow-in-the-dark packaging. 

A choir singing competition titled "Sa'Yo Lamang Choral Fest" was held last February where the winners of the said competition had the chance to participate in the album. 

Songs can also be down-loaded from  www.facebook.com/sayolamangost.

I love it. Try it! You'll love it too.