CONSERVATORY of Music Dean Raul Sunico and cello instructor Renato Lucas won the Best Instrumental Performance award for their recording of George Canseco’s “Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan” in the 19th Awit Awards on June 15 at the Casino Filipino Theatre in Parañaque.
The Awit Awards were organized by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry that recognizes local music talents. “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan” is one of the songs from the album Romanza, featuring musical pieces of Sunico as the pianist and Lucas as the cellist.
“Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan was probably chosen from all the tracks in the album beca use it appeals to the present generation,” Lucas told the Varsitarian.
“This award reinforces recognition for the album more than anything else,” Sunico said.
Sunico and Lucas’ work bested other three finalists—the Johnny Alegre Affinity’s “Jazzhound,” the Kabayao Family Quintet’s “Nais Ko”, Richard Gonzales’ “The Flight” and Dean Sunico’s solo “Bituing Marikit.”
Lucas said he is proud that despite the popularity of pop music, classical music still gets recognition from award-giving bodies.
“It is not the glory of the award,” Lucas said. “But the feeling of representing classical music in the awards.”
Romanza, also features a collection of instrumental tracks from renowned Filipino artists like by Nicanor Abelardo’s “Romanza” and Antonio Molina’s “Cavatina” and “Hatinggabi” and Haraw Cuenco’s “Romanza” and “Nahan” among others. R. S. Mejia
