Concert pianist and teacher Mariel Ilusorio brings “An Evening of Chamber Music: Beethoven, Schubert, Haydn, Mendelssohn” to Manila with Korean concert cellist Si Won Park and Germany-trained violinist Emanuel John “EJ” Villarin. The first concert, in collaboration with the Manila Symphony Orchestra (where Villarin is a member), takes place on Aug. 14 at 7 pm at the MSO Recital Hall at Ayala Malls Circuit, Makati. The second performance follows on Aug. 16 at 5 pm at the Sunshine Place, as part of Ilusorio’s “Classics in Sunshine” series.
Illusorio says the program will appeal to Filipino audiences for its variety of moods and colors, while challenging each musician in different ways. Beethoven’s Seven Variations for Cello and Piano, based on a theme from The Magic Flute, is a lively exchange that calls for balance and refinement between the instruments. Schubert’s Grand Sonata in A major for violin and piano is full of long, singing lines that demand control and sensitivity from both players. Haydn’s Gypsy Trio brings a burst of Hungarian dance rhythms, requiring lightness, precision, and teamwork. Mendelssohn’s Trio in D minor, first movement, shifts into high drama and contrast, testing the group’s ability to blend passion with clarity.
Ilusorio initially conceived a reunion concert with Si Won, who was a classmate at the Professional Children’s School and one of her first chamber music partners. But since Villarin was on holiday, she took advantage of his playing.
Mariel Ilusorio broke away from family expectations to follow her passion for music. From Manila, she moved to New York, finished high school at the Professional Children’s School, earned a Juilliard Pre-College diploma, and completed her bachelor’s degree at Oberlin Conservatory. She later trained in Germany, earning advanced degrees in piano performance, and went on to an international career, winning top prizes such as the Grand Prize at the Cario Soliva Piano Competition in Italy. Back home, she’s performed in unexpected places such as the Batangas City Jail, and launched the “Classics in Sunshine” International Series, blending concerts with music education. Today, she mentors young talents at schools like the University of Santo Tomas and the Philippine High School for the Arts.
Today. llusorio also mentors young talents at schools like the University of Santo Tomas and the Philippine High School for the Arts
Si Won Park, cellist
Cellist Si Won Park made her Carnegie Hall debut after winning the Artist International Competition in 1997. A Juilliard-trained musician with master’s and doctoral studies at the Manhattan School of Music and Rutgers University, she’s earned honors such as the Marta Istomin Award, and built a reputation for lyrical tone and technical precision. Based in Hong Kong, she performs with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, co-founded two chamber groups, and teaches at top institutions.
Ej Villarin, violinist
At 21, violinist Emanuel John “EJ” Villarin is finishing his fourth year at the prestigious Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin. A pioneer of the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra, he has already stacked major wins: 1st Prize at the 2020 National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) Junior Strings Category, 1st Prize at the 2021 New York Young Performers Prize, and laureate honors at the Chicago Violin Competition for Young Artists.
Under Standard Insurance’s “In Pursuit of Excellence” program, Villarin’s tuition has been covered, and he upgraded to a Gençer Cerit violin worth €16,000—about P1.06 million. For a serious artist, he says, a fine instrument isn’t a luxury but a necessity: “It unlocks so much color and freedom in your playing.”
For a serious artist, Villarin says, a fine instrument isn’t a luxury but a necessity: ‘It unlocks so much color and freedom in your playing’
Life in Berlin changed his artistry. “In the Philippines, we have personal styles, but here I learned tradition—how the masters should sound,” he explains. “Haydn should feel like a palace—elegant, never too dramatic. Mendelssohn is the opposite: full of contrast and conversation in the trio.” Chamber music, he adds, taught him to embrace differences: “Every time I play with new people, I discover something—and make peace from that diversity.”
His NAMCYA win during the pandemic remains a turning point: “Lessons were online, then suddenly live. That made me realize: I want to do this for life.”
Now on its sixth season, “Classics in Sunshine” has built a loyal audience, with tickets selling out fast. At the Sunshine Place concert on August 16, Ilusorio will not only perform but also annotate the music. “People enjoy not just the music but the stories behind it,” she says. Each program ends with an open Q&A, giving the audience a chance to share their thoughts and ask questions.
She also works to make every concert interactive and inclusive. “I try to invite different audiences,” Ilusorio explains. The first concert featured an ikebana class, where guests arranged flowers while listening to music. Another concert welcomed people who are deaf or hard of hearing, who experienced the performance through vibrations and visual cues. “It was very touching and meaningful,” she recalls. Seniors remain a core audience, and Ilusorio believes music helps keep them mentally and emotionally engaged. “It stimulates them intellectually, spiritually, emotionally,” she says.
For her, the goal is simple: “I just want to build appreciation for classical music in my little way—and connect different communities through the experience.”
(For the August 14 concert, text or call MSO at (+63917) 850-1774. Tickets for the Aug 16 concert are sold out.)
