good day to everyone... i am a filipino and there is a very good filipina pianist named cecil licad... i just want to know your impressions about her... you can watch her...just type licad's live performances in the internet... just want to know if others are impressed of her performances as a pianist....

I think this is quite impressive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D71BSVoGXJo

Especially what happen six minutes into the clip...

She received many favourable reviews when she was first becoming known as a professional pianist after winning the Leventritt in 1981. She is now 47 years old, and I, for one, haven't heard much about her in recent years. I don't know if she is still on the international circuit or not, but one presumes she still is.

Regards,

that was awesome.

It has been years since I last listened to her live, but I for one think she's a superb musician. Her interpretations are often energetic, but never superficial. Her recording of Saint-Saens's Second Concerto is my personal favorite for that work, and many others have spoken highly of it too (if memory serves it is the top choice for BBC's "Building a Library"). Her Sony Schumann recording (Carnaval, Papillons and the Toccata) is also very fine IMHO. I haven't listened to it, but her Gottschalk recording on Naxos has also been praised.

I know she gives concerts in the USA, and she seems to give a concert in Manila every year or so (the last one just this part March). But she doesn't seem as visible as other pianists. I read an interview with her years ago saying that she wants to make sure to have enough time for her family, so that probably explains it (even though her marriage to Antonio Meneses is over).

In any case, a wonderful pianist in my book.

Yes, I've heard that recording and would certainly agree. Her Toccata is incredible.

For some reason I didn't care as much for her Saint-Saens Second, perhaps I just need to give it another listen. It's been a few years, though I've always had a guilty pleasure for Entremont's full-scale frontal assault. Very exciting!

Her Chopin Ballade is very well played.

Matt

I actually love Entremont's storming of all five of Saint-Saens's concerti. It's not the cleanest cycle on record, but it is certainly the most fiery!

I just realized I haven't heard the name Entremont in probably 25 years. I had an LP with him doing some Mozart. It was great.

guys... thank you for your comments about cecil licad... now i know that she is well loved by international piano enthusiasts... even though years had passed...

I saw her about 20 years ago, I remember the program. She did the Chopin preludes, Beethoven Op. 31 no.3, and Brahms Hungarian Rhapsody 5 as an encore.

I loved it!

It is Cecile with an e, otherwise it would be a masculine noun. (Sorry i am a bit neurotic about this).
I once read that she had a son who is also a pianist and who performed with her once. Does anyone know if he is a pro as well?