THE UST Symphony Orchestra paid tribute to St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music and musicians, in a classical concert at the Albertus Magnus Auditorium on Nov. 16.
The concert titled “A Mystic November in UST: A St. Cecilia Special” was held less than a week before the feast day of the music patroness and featured a lineup of classical music prepared by Assoc. Prof. Herminigildo Ranera, conductor of the UST Symphony.
Ranera said the concert was thanksgiving for the blessings that the Conservatory had received.
The concert opened with Italian composer Gioachino Rossini’s “L’italiana in Algeri: Overture,” a piece considered to be a staple in orchestra repertoires.
Accountancy alumnus Deiniel Sanchez, who is currently pursuing a degree in Music Performance at the UST Conservatory, led the performance of German composer Richard Strauss’s Horn Concerto No. 1 in Eb Major, Op. 11 for the show’s second act.
Ranera said he always wanted to perform Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27: III Adagio by Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, which was played in the third act.
“I wanted to experience, learn the music, and hopefully perform the entire symphony,” said Ranera. “The entire symphony has four movements, and we just played the third one. It’s beautiful. I think it’s a standard piece for all music players and orchestra.”
American composer Leroy Anderson’s “Serenata,” a piece with a fiery tango-themed introduction that transitions into a soothing melody, was performed by the UST Symphony to cap the concert.
Ranera said that apart from honoring St. Cecilia through their music, the concert was also held to show the “very good and strong music program” of the University.
“We are all happy that we can continue to perform live,” he said. “I hope through our art we can help people appreciate classical music.”
