We spent Saturday evening celebrating Johann Sebastian Bach’s 330th birthday. It’s been a while since I listened to orchestra music, so I knew I really wanted to go when I found out that there would be a free performance by the Manila Symphony Orchestra at Trinoma Mall. I’m grateful that Ian shared my interest in the music. We are no experts and I’ve personally lost the knowledge to point out the technical aspects of the music, but its no deterrent in enjoying the performance.
We had to get the free tickets at the concierge. It was free but they wanted you to get the tickets anyway. We went to Trinoma early and we were the 4th and 5th to claim tickets. I was worried at first that tickets would quickly run out, after which I worried that few people would be there. It may not be the best space for the orchestra, but the mere fact that they were trying to reach out to the public is a good thing.
I remember this article about an acclaimed violinist who performed in the subway but barely anyone gave him notice. It is sad to think that people won’t stop for good music, but the premise of that experiment is faulty. People go in the subway because they have to be somewhere—they need to go to work or to their appointments. Surely, in an ideal world, we should all stop and smell the flowers. But if stopping or slowing down mean you would compromise your job that you and your family rely on to survive, its a decision you can’t really afford to make. I remember thinking that they should’ve placed the violinist in a place of leisure, perhaps in a public park that people go to.
Now, we have the same concept. I don’t think it would work in our MRT/LRT because of the crowd and our noisy train. Our public transportation system is simply too chaotic and unsafe. The mall is a commercial space rather than a public one, but it also means that the people there are at their leisure. Saturday being a weekend also mean that they are not rushing to their workplace. It is a good time and space for the performance.
It took a while for the audience space to fill up but when we got there, the best seats were already taken. I saw it as a sign that there is a group of people that are really interested to listen to the performance. The elderly man who was beside us moved to the empty seats so we can sit together nearer the centre. It was really nice of him. I also noticed that he was reading a book entitled Ho Chi Minh, and I wonder if he’s been there or is planning to go. Maybe I should’ve asked, and perhaps if I wasn’t in Manila, I would have. Eventually, they opened up the seats to the public and it quickly filled up. I’m happy to see that a lot of people will get to see the performance.
The music was absolutely lovely. The condition wasn’t perfect, the acoustic was nowhere near ideal. But you see and hear the passion of the performers. It’s music that you feel, not just listen to. I wish I can explain the explicit details of the music, but as I have mentioned earlier, I can’t. Yet, it doesn’t feel as important as the experience of being there and simply listening, feeling, and enjoying.
The voice-over mentioned that the performance is happening simultaneously all over the metro. They also repeated ask for us to spread the word and use the hashtag #bachinthesubways. I get the importance of this. I really want more people to listen and realise the beauty of the music. It made me smile when I saw a big crowd of people outside the audience area listening to the music. You feel the excitement and the emotions of the crowd. I wish there are more performances like these that are accessible to the public. Our performance space is usually the Cultural Center of the Philippine (CCP) and it is rather far and difficult to access. I envy other countries whose performance spaces are right in the middle of the town or city where people can readily go and enjoy it. I truly believe that the Filipino people need more exposure and easy access to the arts.
The Manila Symphony Orchestra played the Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 last. In my mind, I was seeing the Brandenburg Gate again, thinking to myself how amazing the world is. It was a lovely and lively piece. I wish I can describe it more, but it is something that must be heard and experienced. My own time in Berlin gives the experience another layer in my mind, even though Bach didn’t actually spend time there. Everybody gave them a loud applause and we left with a certain calm and joy. I only wish that we can go to a pub and have beers and schnitzel. Or maybe learn the violin and the pianoforte.
Short note on Bach, Baroque, and Bach in the Subways
Johann Sebastian Bach is an important composer under the Baroque movement. His family was largely composed of musicians and teachers. The Baroque period in the arts is more emotional and moving than the Renaissance that preceded it. It is a period of change, and for music, the baroque period will lay the groundwork for the classical period.
According to their website, “Bach in the Subways is an international movement founded by cellist Dale Henderson to sow the seeds for future generations of classical music lovers by generating public interest and excitement for the art form. Every year on March 21, Johann Sebastian Bach’s birthday, musicians around the world celebrate Bach in the Subways Day by offering performances of his music in subways, public spaces, and concerts open to all. The music is given freely as a gift, and as an invitation to further explore classical music.”
For more information, look up the following sites:
Bach in the Subways http://bachinthesubways.com
Baroque Music http://www.baroquemusic.org
Celebrating 330 Years of Johann Sebastian Bach http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/celebrating-330-years-of-johann-sebastian-bach/
Life and Works of Johann Sebastian Bach http://www.jsbach.org
Manila Symphony Orchestra http://www.manilasymphony.com
I am the ARSENAL Party Planner, so when my birthday rolled in, I was thinking that maybe they’d surprise me or maybe they won’t. Or at most, there would be cake, because we always get cake. But they did surprise me and it was a lot of fun. And I did not expect such a unique presentation of cupcakes! How do I contextualize this? I play multi-player EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander) of Magic, the Gathering, a collectible card game. My commander is Bruna, Light of Alabaster, and basically, I have a hit list of all other commanders that I want to kill. That is basically my playing style. I don’t really intend to win, I just want to kill each of the commanders at least once, thus, the Bruna hit list. What my play group did was print out the basic commanders in the hit list and place it on coffee cupcakes. It was an incredible surprise that I did not expect. Also, they gave me candy roses, and those are really yummy as well. My ARSENAL twin, Aya, also celebrated his birthday with me. It was indeed a lot of fun. 
We had a typical dinner at the food court and I thought our night would end there until we started to look for a place to sit and talk after the mall closed. Thus we ended up in Magnolia Flavor House. They had a promo at the time, if we ordered a pizza and a pasta, we get free ice cream. So we got a couple of those and once the waiter realized that it was my birthday, he asked me to write my name on a piece of paper, and later on, they surprised me with a birthday song and a complementary ice cream. It was a lot of fun. Also, being in a Magnolia House feels so old school, our late-night meal felt so nostalgic. They were even playing 90s songs, songs I literally grew up with. We over-stayed a bit, because we didn’t exactly plan this, and we waited around until the clock struck 12–my official birthday. I guess the saying was right, the best things are unplanned things. (Looloo review here: 
Of course, the pièce de résistance of all birthday celebrations–a lunch at Châmpetre. I’ve wanted to eat here for years–literally since I found out about it. But it’s so far and expensive, I never really had the chance to. So when my Mom and I were discussing things I want to do for my birthday–we decided on this one. She gave me a budget to work on, a generous one, and we were able to enjoy a meal at this lovely French provincial restaurant at the heart of Bonifacio Global City. I loved that the place do not have a hint of pretension about it, and the food was incredible! The staff was also helpful and accommodating. The entire experience brought me back to Europe, with Mom and Ian along for the ride. It was the best way to turn 30. 
We started with the cheese platter to share because I absolutely love cheese. So there. Loved the spread. Didn’t take notes on the names of the cheeses–but it is a nice platter with six cheese types. There’s brie (a personal favorite, soft with mild flavor), hard and sweet cheese (emmental, if I am not mistaken), two cheeses on the medium flavor and texture side, a type of goat cheese garnished with olive oil (soft, with strong flavor), and of course a type of blue cheese. The plate is garnished with walnuts, apple slices, grapes, and served with fresh bread. I’ve said I love cheese and I enjoyed this platter so much. Mom and Ian did too. A great way to start a meal. 
Too many good things on the menu. They had a lunch menu too, but no–we went for the mains. I had the grilled scallops with Lyonnaise sauce, Mom had the beef onglet steak, and Ian the lamb chops with Algerian-style couscous. Servings were very generous. Mom only finished half her steak so we had it bagged for later. She loved it though, and she even finished the side salad. It’s their best-seller, apparently. Ian’s lamb and couscous were very generous. Couscous was very fluffy, the lamb was cooked perfectly, and we didn’t expect the stew on the side. Very nice flavors. The dish also came with very peppery sausages. This dish was almost good enough for two! Ian can’t help but keep on eating. The grilled scallops was the best–great thing I chose it, at my Mom’s urging. The scallops were cooked perfectly! And the creamy, peppery Lyonnaise sauce was just heavenly. The sliced potatoes complemented the dish nicely. It looks small and light, but it was far from it. Good thing I ordered a glass of Chardonnay to go with this. Loved every bite of it. 
Because we were so full, Ian and I just shared the Grand Marnier with candied orange zest ice cream, and it was great! You taste the layers of orange flavor in there. Next is Champêtre’s birthday surprise–the dark chocolate mousse. Needless to say, it’s the best mousse I have ever tasted. Smooth, thick, pure dark chocolate goodness. Blended well with the ice cream order as well. I was so full yet I just can’t stop eating. Too bad my mom was simply too full to have dessert, she just took a bite to taste. Next time, we definitely need tummy space for their berry soufflé and end the meal with espresso. (Looloo reviews here: 
Mom had to go home and Ian and I ended the day with a light dinner at one of our favorite places–Pi Breakfast and Pies. We had our old classic, the corn waffle with chicken skins, and we tried something new, the cherry pie. Suffice it to say that we always come home full and happy after a meal here. By now, the staff is familiar with us, because we either dine there or simply buy bread. Given that it’s a Monday, it was a quiet night, and a very beautiful ending to a 30th birthday celebration. 
Not that the birthday celebrations have ended. We said we would make the best out of this month, despite the busy schedule. And we are intent upon it. We just don’t know what the next celebrations would be. Anyway,we’re not even at the halfway mark yet. 
Portia Placino 