Software designer by profession, composer by passion, Rick Drehmer nestles in happy retirement in Tacloban—not unlike the hymn melodies nestled and tucked away in many of his works. Drehmer joins DZFE’s Daniel to share his music, and his experiences as a composer, on MAESTRO FILIPINO.

All music on the program features with permission from the artist.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 23 0415 | Rick Drehmer

Rising like the breeze it is named after, Ily Matthew Maniano’s Amihan is a gentle, understated piece. Far from a display of technical bravura, it nonetheless won the top prize in the 2022 Busan International Choral Festival Composition Competition. We’ll hear that work on MAESTRO FILIPINO, where Maniano also shares the process behind his deceptively simple work. DZFE’s Daniel is the host.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 24 0302 | Ily Matthew Maniano: Amihan

Pianist Zion Montebon leaves high school on a high note: he performs in the Manila Pianos Artist Series concert, Of Good Tidings, leading up to his graduation recital at the National Arts Center next month. He talks about these performances with Irene Obligacion on CULTURE CAROUSEL, and shares how he has grown during his years at the PHSA and what he hopes to learn in the new chapter of his budding career.

CULTURE CAROUSEL 24 0317 | Zion Montebon: Of Good Tidings

Between new members of the Pundaquit Virtuosi and returning alumni, Haydn’s Seven Last Words of Christ continues to receive new life, even as it approaches its 31st annual performance at CASA San Miguel. Joining DZFE’s Daniel on MAESTRO FILIPINO, violinist Miggy delos Santos, violist Gabriel Regojos, and cellist Pocholo Gutierrez share how the Virtuosi—under the guidance of founder and artistic director Coke Bolipata—prepare for a work of such solemnity, how it returns fresh to CASA San Miguel every year, and how it shapes the lives of its performers.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 24 0323 | Pundaquit Virtuosi: Haydn's Seven Last Words of Christ

After three attempts—the second thwarted by the pandemic—soprano Pauline Arejola will soon sing with the World Youth Choir. She joins Irene Obligacion on CULTURE CAROUSEL to share the story behind her applications, and what she hopes to glean from her experiences with the WYC.

CULTURE CAROUSEL 24 0324 | Paul Arejola sings with the World Youth Choir

Built by Diego Cera Organ Builders, the new organ of St. Ignatius Cathedral in Shanghai was inaugurated by Alejandro Consolacion II, who put it through its paces in a recital last December. On MAESTRO FILIPINO, he shares the music he performed, and talks about the character of the instrument at the heart of that event. DZFE’s Daniel is the host.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 24 0330 | Alejandro Consolacion II Shanghai recital

From making her first public performance in 2022, guitarist Beatrice Rose Cena now embarks on her high school graduation recital. On CULTURE CAROUSEL, she shares what’s in store for that performance, and how she has grown as a musician at the PHSA, and under the mentorship of Dr. Ivar Fojas. Irene Obligacion is the host.

CULTURE CAROUSEL 24 0331 | Beatrice Rose Cena graduation recital

Laarni Dawn Ilan is an IT professional with a passion for playing the piano. In fact, Passion is the name of her upcoming Manila Pianos Artist Series recital, where she delivers works by Scarlatti, Chopin, Beethoven, and more—all for the benefit of Cancervants PH. On MAESTRO FILIPINO, she shares how that event came to be, and how she maintains her edge as a musician even while working a day job. DZFE’s Daniel is the host.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 24 0406 | Laarni Dawn Ilan: Passion

Sure, you’ve come across the word, nonchalant. But what about nonchalant virtuosity? That’s sprezzatura—a term often used in the Baroque Period to describe an attitude of effortless grace. We witness that later this month as guitarist Dr. Ivar Fojas and his students perform in the recital Sprezzatura. He and three of his proteges—Kyle Lorenzana, Agung Sicam and Beatrice Cena—join DZFE’s Daniel on MAESTRO FILIPINO to give us a glimpse of that event, and talk about the sound that marks Dr Fojas' style of playing.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 24 0413 | Sprezzatura

After a lengthy hiatus, UST’s Sibol Guitar Octet emerges once more on stage, this time with the St. Scholastica’s College Guitar Trio in the concert, Cohaesio. Telling us how this collaboration came about, and what music is in store, are guitarists Karra Custodio of the SSCGT, and Gabriel Reyna, Karl Sabado and Zach Dugay of Sibol. Hear their insight, and their music, on MAESTRO FILIPINO with DZFE’s Daniel.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 24 0420 | Cohaesio

Frederic Chopin stands at the spotlight from May to July, as Manila Pianos Artist Series and Cultural Arts Events Organizer mount a six-week Chopin Fest, marking 175 years since the passing of Poland's most famous composer. Launching the series are the two piano concertos of his unblooded youth, to be performed by pianists Gabriel Paguirigan and Ricardo Abapo. They join DZFE's Daniel on MAESTRO FILIPINO to talk not only about these works, but also about Chopin's legacy, and his music at large.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 24 0427 | Chopin Fest

98.7 DZFE-FM "The Master's Touch", Metro Manila, is the classical music service of Far East Broadcasting Company, Phils. It is a donor-supported, non-commercial station whose terrestrial broadcast covers the Greater Metro Manila area; it can also be heard over the internet.

MAESTRO FILIPINO 23 0415 | Rick Drehmer

98.7 DZFE-FM The Master's Touch

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