98.7 DZFE | The Master's Touch

This February, Frederic Chopin will be at the center of pianist Jonathan Coo’s circle: his 11-year-old student, Franco Lim, will give a concert at the Liceo de Cagayan University highlighting the Polish master’s works, and Coo himself will plumb the depths of Chopin’s etudes in a series of hybrid workshops. With two more of his students—pianists Jovelyn Yu and Mariane Avendaño—they join DZFE’s Dan...

Christmas came early for soprano Lizzie Bett Estrada: about a year after she moved to London for college, she won first prize in the 28th Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary for Young Singers competition. She joins Irene Obligacion on CULTURE CAROUSEL to talk about that competition, and the experiences of her first year in the UK.

Composer Nilo Alcala was initially commissioned to write a finale piece for flutist Norman Menzales. Instead, what came out was dabda: a musical exploration of the stages of grief. Alcala walks us through that work on MAESTRO FILIPINO, where we also hear the premiere recording by Menzales and pianist Hae-Yun Jeun. DZFE’s Daniel is the host.

For its next season concert, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra brings us “the last great Romantic of our age”: pianist Jerome Rose. How did he earn that title, and, after a decades-long career of recording and performing, what advice does he have for young musicians aspiring for the concert stage? Hear more from Rose as he speaks with Irene Obligacion on CULTURE CAROUSEL.

Organ recitals are a constant for Alejandro Consolacion II—before, during, and after the pandemic. As we bid farewell to the old year and greet the new one, we listen to music from one of Consolacion’s steadfast recitals, recorded last year at the Union Church of Manila, and featuring the unique combination of organ and cello. He tells DZFE’s Daniel more on the next program of MAESTRO FILIPINO.

Guitarist Raffy Lata has been living in the US for decades. Even so, he has contributed much to the Philippine classical guitar repertoire with his many online recordings. He tells us how he started on the guitar, and why he keeps on playing, on CULTURE CAROUSEL with Irene Obligacion.

For the first time since the pandemic, Pasipo returned to the stage in force, for Hodie—a Manila Pianos Artist Series Christmas concert featuring music by Bach, Vaughan Williams, and more. Pasipo president tenor Jose Javato and pianist Gabby Paguirigan talk about the history of this event, and its significance for the group, on MAESTRO FILIPINO. DZFE’s Daniel is the host.

Pianist Nikolay Khozyainov is the guest soloist in the next Philippine Philharmonic Concert, Russian Masters. How does he approach performing as both a pianist and a composer, and how is he preparing to meet his Filipino audience? He tells Irene Obligacion on CULTURE CAROUSEL.

Ten years after his last Philippine performance, Europe-based pianist Michael Cu comes home in more ways than one: he returns to Manila, and to the music of his formative years in the concert, Lisztomania. He joins Irene Obligacion on CULTURE CAROUSEL to share the story of this grand spectacle built on the music and philosophy of Franz Liszt.

DZFE's Daniel catches up with Kabataang Gitarista on MAESTRO FILIPINO. Seven years after their last DZFE recording, the group returns to the studio to share how its mission and members have grown over the years, and how, after all this time, its cause remains worth pursuing. Joining us in conversation are program director Menchi Mantaring, and guitarists Daryll Tiongson and Kyle Lorenzana.

Harpist Vien Ignacio returns to Manila Pianos Artist Series to perform some of her favorite works. She tells us more about the event, and how she balances music with her studies, on CULTURE CAROUSEL with Irene Obligacion.

The PIMA Guitar Quartet, with soprano Stefanie Quintin, presents some of our favorite Christmas tunes in Paskong Cuerdas. More than that, it also champions the cause of mental wellness with its partner organization, Family Wellness Center Foundation, and reaches out to a new crowd in Quezon City. We hear more from guitarist Adrik Cristobal, with Peter Sarmiento and Rechie Cristobal of FWC, as they...

NAMCYA winner and finalist, guitarist Agung Sicam embarked on his first international competition not too long ago when he joined the Asia International Guitar Festival earlier this year. He shares his experiences and music on CULTURE CAROUSEL with Irene Obligacion.

Mezzo-soprano Michelle Mariposa is certainly making the most of her time abroad: among other victories, she was recently declared on of the winners of the much-coveted Sullivan Award. She tells us more about that, and how she keeps up with the hectic pace of the competing ring—all on MAESTRO FILIPINO. DZFE’s Daniel is the host.

Last week, the Manila Symphony Orchestra celebrated ten years of Rush Hour concerts—that is, ten years of bringing together pop and classical music, and of bringing in new audience members. On CULTURE CAROUSEL, Irene Obligacion speaks with MSO Executive Director Jeffrey Solares about the milestones of their Rush Hour concerts, and where the series will go to next. The program also features music f...

“Prodigy” is a word often used to describe pianist Matty Lim. Recently, he added another plume to his already feather-laden cap when he won a gold prize in the latest Grand Maestro International Music Competition. Matty joins DZFE’s Daniel on MAESTRO FILIPINO to talk about his music, his other interests, how they shape his performances, and more.

The climax of NAMCYA’s 50th year is nearly upon us. With the finals, and the closing celebratory concerts, just around the corner, we return to Dr. Renato Lucas' conversation with DZFE's Daniel on MAESTRO FILIPINO. We hear how NAMCYA has shaped the country’s entire concert scene, and why, after all these years, it still deserves our support. We also listen to excerpts from Wagi Lagi—a seri...

La Boheme is back! Thanks to public clamor, Viva Voce Voice Lab re-stages its 1960s-set production of Puccini’s opera, this time at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. On CULTURE CAROUSEL, Irene Obligacion speaks with music director Camille Lopez-Molina, soprano Anna Migallos, and tenor Carlo Falcis about the story behind this production, and some of the details we shouldn’t miss.

What began as an invitation to Jude and Ma. Theresa Roldan came to a cathartic conclusion last August, when the Young Voices of the Philippines debuted at Carnegie Hall, and won prize after prize at the Golden Gate Choral Festival. Now that the dust has settled, we catch up with the Roldans to talk about what they’ve brought home from their US tour, and what lies ahead for their choirs—such as the...

STRINGS IN THE AIR concludes with music for the most wonderful time of the year! Polo, Rafa, Allie and Kendice also talk about the orchestra's mission of bringing classical music to Filipino communities both here, and, hopefully, abroad, as well, as the Philippine Suzuki Youth Orchestra brings the series to a festive close.

Forms and orchestras expanded in the Romantic Period. Even so, there was still a place for the string orchestra. Samarra, Aiden, and Basti of the Philippine Suzuki Youth Orchestra explore the works of Saint-Saëns, Grieg, and other Romantic composers on the third episode of STRINGS IN THE AIR.

Some of classical music's most iconic pieces ring out on STRINGS IN THE AIR as the program take us through the Classical Period, represented by no other than Mozart himself. Join Wayne, Breanna and Sinead of the Philippine Suzuki Youth Orchestra.

DZFE celebrates the upcoming National Children’s Broadcasting Day with the four-part series, STRINGS IN THE AIR—an exploration of the music and history of the string ensemble with the Philippine Suzuki Youth Orchestra. Join PSYO members Teddy, Jamie and Kayleigh as we begin our journey in the Baroque, and two of its greatest masters: Johann Sebastian Bach, and Antonio Vivaldi.

Q: To whom is Baptism to be administered? A: Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, till they profess their faith in Christ and obedience to him; but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized. — Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 95 Journey with Pastor James Chu through the Westminster Shorter Catechism in HOLY & HAPPY...

The University of the Philippines Rondalla turns 14 and celebrates with its customary concert highlighting the group’s mission: expanding the rondalla’s repertoire and producing new compositions and arrangements. Ahead of the concert, they dropped by the DZFE studio to tell us more about that and share some of their music. Artistic director Dr. Marie Jocelyn Marfil and president Janroni Max speak...