Young talents galore in pop-classical concert

MANILA, Philippines - It was a curious venue for a concert: A casino. During a lull in the music, you could hear the screams of the gamblers, who, no doubt, were making a killing.

This was the Alegria Lounge at the Manila Pavilion Hotel in UN Avenue, Manila. And the event was Pop Meets the Classical concert headlined by conservatory-trained pianist Nick Nangit and a slew of young talented singers: Philippe Go, finalist in The Voice Philippines; Marrey Anne Go, runner-up in the CLTV3 talent search; Lloyd Abella of GMA 7; singer-composer-actor Marq Dollentes; Maricar Aragon, singer-composer from Team Secarats; and promising recording artists Patrisha Samson and Bea Ancheta.

Nick is not your usual classical pianist who plays the long-heard music of Beethoven, Mozart et al. He has performed here and abroad, and whenever he holds a concert he donates part of the proceeds to a worthy cause.

Part of the proceeds of the pop-classical concert went to Hospicio de San Jose.

The pianist is also a lawyer, an accountant (he is publishing soon a book on accounting), a psychic and a spirit quester.

The concert began with The Prayer, the moving duet made famous by tenor Andrea Bocelli, a recent Manila visitor, and Celine Dion during one night at the Oscar Awards. Then Nick cut loose with some Chopin compositions, as in Revolutionary Etude, Fantasie Impromptu and another beloved Etude.

This imbued the concert with a touch of class but those familiar with the pop songs of yesterday will recognize the melodies as I’m Always Chasing Rainbows and No Other Love. Some of the OPM songs were arranged in a classical style by Marr Llamas of Cebu, a student of avante-garde composer Chino Toleda at the UP College of Music.

Marq had stage presence and macho appeal, while Philippe came out strong with She’s Always a Woman to Me, which has lines like “She will cut you and laugh while you’re bleeding.” It was a rather curious song to dedicate to his mother and all the women present, but I’m sure he meant well. And he sang it beautifully.

Sometime Nick would accompany the women singers (using piano notes). They sang popular and beloved songs from Tin Pan Alley, the movies and musical theater. Applause would greet the familiar tunes and arias like Midnight, One Moment in Time, Got to Believe, On My Own and the music of Willy Cruz.

To complement the vocals, there were frenetic breakdance numbers by a gaggle of young male dancers led by a lone female dancer.

The concert ended with Lizst’s Libestraum and a rousing Thank You for the Music by the ensemble. And Nick Nangit, the pianist with an advocacy, chalked up another milestone in his series of concerts intended to help underprivileged groups.