Gabriel Allan Paguirigan's second bite of the cherry

After his amazing rendition of Saint-Saën's piano concerto no. 2 in G minor August of last year, Gabriel Allan Paguirigan once again took center stage with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra when he played Liszt's piano concerto no. 2 in A mjor during its "Mahler's Fifth" concert last April 4, 2013. This came after he won PPO's 2013 Young Pianist Competition, which I found not at all surprising.

What I did find surprising, however, was the boy behind the virtuoso. For someone so awfully talented, he is awfully friendly and modest, so much so that when I finally got around to asking him for an interview, he immediately agreed. He's quite the character, that kid.

Get to learn more about our little national treasure in this little interview. Quick, before he flies to Europe!

Image credit: Philippine Daily Inquirer

So you got to be a part of the PPO's season-ender concert last month. How did you feel about the experience?

It was a very memorable performance. Not everyone gets the chance to perform with the PPO. I feel very blessed and happy.

It is your second time playing with the orchestra, the first time was during the Classical Champs concert where you played Saint-Saën's piano concerto no. 2. How did it feel during the second time and how does it compare to your first?

The second time is more special to me. I never thought that I'd be featured as soloist in PPO's season concert, and definitely not in a season-ender. It was also easier for me the second time I worked with Maestro Oli and PPO. I remember the first time I rehearsed with maestro and PPO, I was really overwhelmed by the sound of the orchestra that I couldn't focus on my playing. But this time, I was more comfortable in playing, and of course the Liszt concerto was more straightforward than Saint-Saens' no.2, thus making it easier to put together with the orchestra.

You won your way into obtaining that coveted "guest artist" spot. Tell me about your competition experience: how long were the preparations and how did you prepare?

Actually, my teacher and I were informed around 2 weeks before the competition. Good thing, I was preparing the Liszt concerto for my solo recital (which took place April, around one week before the concert), so we decided to join. Preparing for competitions have always been tough for me. Short notice performances/competitions would really require intelligent practice. It's really quality over quantity. And of course, everytime I participate in competitions, I don't expect anything. I set my mind that it's just a performance and winning is just a bonus. Winning this competition came as a surprise to me, seeing who the competitors were and knowing how good they are. I really didn't expect to win.

Image credit: NiceyArafiles.com

Whenever I hear your interpretations, especially those amazing 2nd movements, I can feel that you have a some sort of "connection" with the moment (read: may pinanghuhugutan). Where do you harness these emotions that you express through your music?

In my opinion, a musician should have two perspectives when practicing and performing: performer and listener. The performer connects with the instrument while the listener connects with the music. I guess I'm more of the listener when I play. I try to relate to what the music tells. To be able to convince the audience, I make sure that I also convince myself. That's probably why you say I have this connection with the moment.

I just had to ask: What do winning pianists like you listen to? What are your musical preferences?

I can't end a day without listening to Bach. I love listening to his compositions! Who doesn't anyway? I feel really grateful to Petri, Busoni, and Rachmaninov--among others--for expanding the piano repertoire with transcriptions of Bach's instrumental and vocal works.

What are your plans for the future?

I'm still not sure.  Most probably, I'd continue my studies  in music abroad.  I just hope I could get a scholarship.


Gabby is taking up Diploma in Creative and Performing Musical Arts (DCPMA) at University of the Philippines, Diliman.  He is currently studying piano under the tutelage of Ms. Nita Abrogar-Quinto.

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In memoriam: Van Cliburn (1934-2013)

Van Cliburn, one of America's premier pianists, died on February 27, 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas, following a long bout with bone cancer.  He was 78 years old.

Image credit: http://music.yahoo.com

The Van Cliburn phenomenon

Cliburn's long and celebrated concert career kicked off after he won after winning the 1958 International Tchaikovsky Competition held in Moscow at the age of 23.  This happened amid growing tensions between the then Soviet Union and the United States over the looming space age.  Van Cliburn's convincing albeit controversial victory pushed him into the vanguards of international fame, making him one of the few classical musicians to enjoy rock star status.

By transcending the great racial divide, Cliburn's popularity reached unprecedented levels and propelled him to a status previously unheard of in the music world.  He was the only musician to have a ticker-tape parade in Mahattan and his recording of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto no. 1 became the first ever classical album to become Platinum.

Van Cliburn and the Philippines: The cultural connection

Van Cliburn became a familiar figure to the Filipinos back in the Martial Law era.  He frequently appeared in many cultural events upon the invitation of then First Lady Imelda Marcos and was warmly received by the music-loving Filipino audience.

Image credit: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/

Cliburn is also remembered for performing in a fund-raising concert for the Young Artists Foundation, an arts foundation which provided support to then aspiring musicians Cecile Licad and Rowena Arrieta, and Noel Velasco. He also performed in several other fund-raising concerts; of note was the concert in Araneta Coliseum which drew rave reviews despite not having the benefit of a rehearsal.

Retirement and legacy

Cliburn announced his retirement in 1974, following the death of his father, and completely stopped touring in 1978.  This, however, did not prevent him from helping in the cause of discovering and supporting young musicians.  He was a staunch supporter of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, an eponymous non-profit enterprise which offers promising concertists a shot at winning cash prizes, a Carnegie Hall debut, and a two-year tour promoted by the competition.

"An artist can be truly evaluated only after he is dead. At the very 11th hour, he might do something that will eclipse everything else." - Van Cliburn

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Matthew Calderon: Bringing the Filipino heart into the international stage

When somebody would ask me, "What have you accomplished at the age of 15?," I go blank.  Deploringly, the only memories I have from when I was a 15-year old would be that of chasing skirts and watching anime.  So I guess much like everyone else, my teenage years were pretty uneventful.

This certainly does not hold true for Matthew Calderon.  I bet that if he would be asked the same question, he would sit upright, chin held high, and haughtily answer back, "I won in an international piano competition at the age of 15."

But it doesn't seem fair to prejudice this surprisingly unassuming child wonder. As evidenced by this interview, there is so much more to him than meets the eye.  Join me as we discover what lies behind the internationally winning facade of Matthew Calderon--his beginnings, his competition experience, and his future plans.

When did you start learning the piano, Matthew?

I started playing the piano when I was 6.

Wow.  That’s a long time.  But even so, I 'm still curious on how you go about the preparation process. In light of your 2nd place win in your category during the 2nd Thailand Mozart International Piano Competition held last June, just how did you gear up for a competition of such caliber?

I practiced and practiced smart. <insert smiley here>

What were the pieces that you played during the competition?

Bach's Prelude and Fugue in C Minor no. 2 book , Mozart's Piano Sonata in C K330, Brahm's Rhapsody in G minor Op. 79, and Schumann's Aufschwung (Soaring) from Phantasiestucke Op. 12

Gee, those are tough pieces (From my vantage point, they really are. You know what they say, "If you can't pronounce it, you cannot play it.").  But apart from the technical difficulties that your pieces presented you, I would like to believe that the experience per se has brought its own set of challenges on you. What were the things that you got to learn from the experience?

I learned a lot from the experience, this being my first international piano competition.  I realized how much harder I still have to work and I was also inspired by the other young pianists from other countries.

I heard that you had some sort of an exacerbation before you went to Thailand for the competition?

Yes.  Before I left Manila I had an asthma attack and I didn't feel well in my first 2 days in Bangkok.  My teacher saw that I wasn't my usual self probably because of the medicines I took, so we made adjustments the day before the competition.

Aww. A mishap almost! That’s gotta be difficult. So how did you fare during the competition proper?

During the semi-finals, I was nervous naturally, but I kept in mind what teacher Mary Anne said, that I should just enjoy my performance.  It was a bit difficult when I began to play the first piece, but eventually, I began to enjoy it.

And what was you standing in the semi-finals?

Out of 7 semi-finalists, only two advanced to the finals, a girl from Malaysia, and me.

Wow! I bet you breezed through the finals.

Well, almost.  During the finals, I was more relaxed because I was just thankful and happy that I made it that far.  I did my best knowing that if I would win, it would just be a bonus already.

So I guess you won? <facepalm>

I was the only winner in my category.  I couldn't believe it.  I was happy, and I was humbled.

Matthew Calderon (far right) together with fellow Filipino winner,
Denise See (second from the left) during the awarding ceremonies.

The judges must've thought you were  the only one truly deserving of any distinction.  It's unquestionable.  But I was just wondering ... what did you think of the performances of your competitors? Did you get to hear how they played?

I didn't stay in the competition hall so I didn't hear the other contestants play.  It was only during the winner's concert when I heard some of them.  I had several realizations- the value of slow practice and lots of practice both actual and mental.

How did you feel when the results were being announced?

The results were just posted and I was almost afraid to look.

But what the heck, you won!  And the lone winner at that!  Your support crew must have been so proud.

Actually, I am really grateful for the unselfish support of my teacher.  She was a true mentor in every sense of the word.  My parents also came with me and my sisters cheered me on through the internet.  The other Filipino contestant, Denise See, and her mom were also very supportive.  My schoolmates and teachers also supported me and also some teachers from PTGP.

I am sure they all did their best to pep you up during such a crucial moment.  All their efforts to bolster your morale surely paid off.

Do you have any other realizations from the experience?

I also saw what I had in common with Denise, the other Filipino contestant- the Filipino heart.

What are your plans for the future?

Right now, I am in my third year at the Philippine High School for the Arts.  My teacher and I have begun preparing for my graduation recital. After that, I plan to pursue a college degree in music.

In what particular school, if I may ask?

I will just explore the opportunities that hopefully will come my way.

Well, good luck then. I wish you all the best for the future! Thank you for doing this interview with me.

Thank you very much po for this interview .


Matthew is currently under the tutelage of Ms. Mary Anne Espina. Prior to his Thailand victory, he was a regular performer and competitor in the various festivals and competitions sponsored by the Piano Teachers Guild of the Philippines (PTGP).

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