Jimmy Tagala Jr. : A Concert Debut

Jump to Comments

It was during the cultural Saganang Ani event of February 25, 2006 that Jimmy Tagala Jr. first serenaded his way straight to my heart. I watched in awe as he ripped Rimsky-Korsakov’s popular orchestral interlude ‘the Flight of the Bumblebee’ [one of the many pieces he played that night] on his violin so flawlessly that my jaw was left agape by the time he finished his set. I will never forget that night; the moment I got home from the 12 hour musical extravaganza at Baywalk, I had the Tale of Tsar Saltan playing on my stereos while I scanned cyberspace for information about the young boy in the red jacket I just saw. I have kept tabs on him ever since.

I had the distinct honor of meeting him again and gaining his aquaintance during the rehearsals, hanging out backstage and even watching him play live on stage (at arms length, mind you!) last February 16. Jimmy – along with UP Conservatory of Music’s 13th Ensemble (comprised by UP’s elite, a handful of the country’s most talented and budding musicians) – collaborated with the popular Pinoy band Parokya ni Edgar to deliver a unique musical experience as the feature performers of the Friday night 2007 UP Fair Concert [UP not FAIR sale]. Rockestra: the Fake Sound of Progress, the brainchild of UP Beta Epsilon Fraternity, was flocked by an estimated fifteen thousand people. It was a record breaking night for the organizers,performers and the concert goers as well! The night was wild, and the crowd was even wilder. Though their set got pushed further into night, Jimmy was up and about to fiddle the melodies of favorite PnE songs like Mang Jose and Harana with guts and gusto even at groggy hour of 3 in the morning. He proved to be quite the trooper indeed!

Since there is much to be said about Jimmy, I will skip the introductions and other details about his life and achievements and go straight to the heart of the matter. Without a doubt, this is his calling. Jimmy’s music enunciates a maturity that normally entails years of hard work and patient practice; but in the world of this young virtuoso, time is on his side. And so with great pride, the Adventist University of the Philippines presents Jimmy Esteban -Tagala Jr. to the world, which is his for the taking, on the 8th of October 2007 [Matinee: 2:00 PM, Gala:8:00 PM] at the Philamlife Auditorium on United Nations Avenue.

This Debut Concert entitled “Building the Youth thru Music” will feature the sixteen year old prodigy [accompanied by the University of Santo Tomas Symphony Orchestra conducted by Dr.Gilopez Kabayao] and his take on Aram Khachaturian’s Violin, Concerto, Smetana’s Moldau Overture and Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D Major. This event is also doubling as a benefit concert for the AUP Music Department Building Project.

Come to see the genius claim his rightful place in the spotlight; don’t miss the opportunity to hear him take notes and craft them into dreams. Watch out world, this Pinoy is definitely on the move. Building the youth thru music; Jimmy has been doing exactly that!

See you all there!

 

***

 

 

For more information, show schedules, tickets, reservations, and inquiries about Jimmy’s Solo Concert, call 0917-813 0873 or (049) 541–1211 to 25

***

( above: the master and his protege, Dr.Gilopez Kabayao and Jimmy Esteban-Tagala Jr.)

The Manila Times has published an article about Jimmy and his upcoming concert entitled No Generation Gap.

[edit 10.04.07] : You’ll also see this event on Click the City dot com.

[edit 10.06.07] : Here’s an article about Jimmy Tagala courtesy of the Philippine Star, Entertainment section page D-5. I recommend that you take a peek if you want to know more about Jimmy Esteban-Tagala Jr. and what the greats like Dr.Gilopez Kabayao think about him.

[edit 10.07.07] : Other articles about “Jimjim” are on  Malaya and Manila Bulletin.

You can download the Asian Youth Orchestra 2006 memorabilia video, which Jimmy was part of, from my share site.

Other pictures and videos may be viewed at my media center while some details about him and other musings can be found on my journal and notebook.

35 Comments

Filed under Concert, Music, iSupport

Tags: benefit, Concert, event, Filipino, Jimmy Tagala Jr., Music, violin