The musical cultural event showcases young composers with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra and Madrigal Singers.
This is an excerpt from Lifestyle Asia’s September 2023 Issue.
Pagsibol celebrates local Filipino talent, music, and culture. As the first installment of the Goldenberg musical cultural show, Anya Lagman, a Los Angeles-trained Filipina musician, and composer held the first-ever musical cultural concert with the world-renowned groups Manila Philharmonic Orchestra and the UP Madrigal Singers to showcase her original compositions and covers to an esteemed audience of society people and foreign luminaries.
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A Rising Star Takes Stage
As the lights dimmed, the stage was set for young composer Lagman to reveal her musical brilliance. The talented individual, whose name was already making waves in the classical music community, conducted her original composition with grace and passion. The audience eagerly anticipated an auditory journey that promised to transcend boundaries and blend diverse musical elements seamlessly. Lagman has received premieres in Asia, North America, and Europe. Her works have been performed by The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Hub New Music, MUSE Cincinnati Women’s Choir, and more. As a merit Discovery scholar, Lagman graduated Summa Cum Laude last May, with a degree in Composition from The University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music.
Lagman started the program proper with a cover of Freddie Aguilar’s “Anak”, an international hit by Aguilar that was translated into 27 languages. Crowd favorites were Lagman’s renditions of “Mundo” by IV of Spades, and “Narda” from Kamikaze, songs that are close to the composer’s heart as songs of her generation. “Together We Build” was a song composed by Lagman and her siblings in dedication to their parents Michael and Charmaine and performed beautifully by Miss Saigon alum Carla Guevara Laforteza.
Lagman showcased two more of her original compositions entitled “Balikbayan” and “I am Mother”, while ending the program with an upbeat “Umagang Kay Ganda”, a Butch Montserrat cover. As the final notes resonated through the auditorium, the audience erupted in thunderous applause, expressing their appreciation for the breathtaking performance.
Read more by purchasing a copy of the Lifestyle Asia September 2023 magazine via SariSari.shopping or select newsstands in National Bookstore and Fully Booked. Subscribe to the E-Magazine via Readly, Magzter, and Press Reader.
Banner photo by Sherard Yu.
