Fifteen years ago, the Lasallian Youth Orchestra (LYO) was established to bring together students who were inclined to classical music. They celebrated that very anniversary the way they knew best—performing impassioned harmonies in Grandioso 2024: Symphonic Portraits last July 6 at the Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium.
The ensemble staged a combination of traditional pieces and beloved soundtracks, some of which they have played in the past. Resident conductor and trainer German De Ramos Jr. described it as a tribute to historical moments in music and entertainment “with pieces from favorite classical music, movies, musicals, games, and anime.” But company manager and flutist Jon Llamado shared that this year’s concert was marked more challenging than past iterations by the overall difficulty of the included compositions. His worries were eased, however, as he beamed “happy that LYO is gradually raising its standards.”
A moment’s rhythm
Grandioso commenced with a moving invocation of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, performed by violinist Marie Therese Entao and pianist John Gabriel Uy. After the national anthem, the company performed an overture of Philippine folk songs arranged by Bernard Greene. The piece breathed life into classical folk tunes Sitsiritsit, Condansoy, and Dahil Sa’yo. Its unique arrangement chanted such nostalgic harmonies, sending the audience on a wondrous journey down memory lane.
Immediately after, LYO presented a mellifluous Genshin Impact medley from its acclaimed soundtrack, arranged by student conductor Tamara Michelle Cloa. From the heart-wrenching Lovers’ Oath, to the thunderous Rage Beneath the Mountains, to the leisurely Le Souvenir avec le crepuscule—the composition wholly captured the adventurous nature of the open-world roleplaying game.
Continuing the momentum of widely popularized compositions, the ensemble performed a remastered version of their Studio Ghibli medley as arranged by student conductor and cellist Christian Jeofferson Galang. Through a sweet rendition of Heartbeat from Howl’s Moving Castle and upbeat pockets of Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, the piece toyed masterfully with tempo and volume to create moments of surreal climax, much like the beloved films.
The orchestra then caught their maestro De Ramos Jr. off-guard with a surprise birthday number. After the touching greeting, the closing piece before the intermission was the explosively fast-paced Gioacchino Rossini’s La Gazza Ladra Overture. The composition was whimsical, mischievous, and suffused with impressive strings and woodwind sectionals—an obvious nod to the melodramatic tale of a thieving magpie.
A night of timeless symphony
Venturing into a different dimension, the second half of the concert wove the tale of The Phantom of the Opera through a powerful and poignant medley. Commencing with a strong overture, the fast-paced prelude brimmed with suspense that gave justice to the intensity of the story. The ensemble seamlessly bridged classical pieces with heart-thumping beats and weaved a harmonious chorus that conveyed the romance of Christine and Raoul.
The dulcet adventure continued as the orchestra went down the rabbit hole of John William’s iconic soundtracks. They captivated the audience with pieces from beloved film franchises such as Home Alone, Harry Potter, and Jurassic Park. The performance also featured stirring patriotic melodies from Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning film Saving Private Ryan.
The Latin Fiesta segment was a vibrant celebration of flamenco and salsa identified by cascading notes and romantic slides. The orchestra seamlessly blended brass and woodwind, producing a melodic interplay of highs and lows that kept the audience eagerly anticipating the next musical move.
Just as the audience thought that the night’s surprises were over, De La Salle Innersoul’s Natassia Valerio and Carlos Florentino Florez graced the stage as they performed a rock orchestra version of I’d Do Anything For Love by Meat Loaf, which infused the evening with renewed energy.
Keeping the momentum alive, the orchestra dazzled the audience with their energetic renditions of VST & Company’s perennial hits Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko!, Rock Baby Rock, and Magsayawan. The performance revitalized these classics and proved how timeless music can be. This was intended to be the night’s grand finale, but as the encore approached, the crowd’s calls for more grew louder. De Ramos Jr. delighted the audience with another round of the 70s classics medley, capping the night on a high of nostalgic joy.
The maestro behind Grandioso
The LYO has blossomed into a full-fledged philharmonic ensemble with attentive tutelage and strong camaraderie. Being with the LYO for a long time, De Ramos Jr. noted that his birthday surprise was a moment that stood out to him in this concert. “It’s my first time experiencing that kind of birthday present,” he gratefully expressed.
The evening concluded as a celebration of the timelessness of classical music, with every note resonating with the transformative essence of each piece performed. Despite this being the swan song for some senior members such as Galang, their experiences will follow them long after graduation. “There’s no way that I’ll be able to lose this skill as a musician no matter how much time passes,” he remarked.
Through hard work and dedication, LYO demonstrated the outpour of rich talent within the company, refined and remastered with time. Indeed, Grandioso 2024: Symphonic Portraits was a testament to the enduring power of music to evoke emotions and memories, leaving the audiences humming hymns of an unforgettable experience.
This article was published in The LaSallian‘s June 2024 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSJune2024.
