![]() ![]() She also appeared on the same stage as famed orchestras from different corners of the world, such as the Little Symphony of New York, the CBS Symphony, the New Haven Symphony, the NHK Orchestra under Seiji Ozawa, the Japan Philharmonic, and the Orchestra Villa de Madrid.Īt her peak, Mama Nena was Manila’s biggest music icon. She also got to collaborate and play chamber music with world-renowned artists like cellists Mstislav Rostropovich, Renato Lucas, and Geronimo Velasco, violinists Rony Rogoff and Oscar Yatco, violist Dino Decena, and contrabassist Antonio Rodriguez at the International Bamboo Organ Festival. ![]() Her talent was almost like a passport that took her to different countries, performing in concerts in Japan, China, Spain, France, Ecuador, Hong Kong, London, and New York, among others. Mama Nena spent much of her younger years in the limelight, doing piano recitals one after the other, a testament of her incessant fondness for the beat of music. The child prodigy was truly a rising star! At 15, The New York Times sponsored her to join the New York Philharmonic Orchestra in a recital after winning a musical competition. She eventually earned her Artist’s Diploma in 1956, making her the first Filipino to ever graduate from the prestigious institute.Īt 12, Mama Nena went to Manhattan, New York to perform for a benefit show at Carnegie Hall, one of New York City’s best concert auditoriums that hosted some of the world’s greatest orchestras, instrumentalists, and singers. She also attended master classes with Vladimir Horowitz and Ilona Kabos. She was under the tutelage of Madame Isabelle Vengerova. Nena as a young prodigy and an adult pianist.įor her formal training, Mama Nena studied at Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she was honed by some of the greatest artists of their time. Maceda, after only learning the piece by ear. ![]() She played Triana by Albeniz totalmente with Dr. Despite the long journey toward far west, she was able to practice her pieces on the piano onboard and even sat down with a respected pianist and fellow traveler, Dr. She played a piece by her favorite composer, Mozart, with the Manila Symphony Orchestra at the old Assumption Convent on Herran Street, now Pedro Gil.Īt age 11, Mama Nena hopped on the troop ship, General Gordon, and voyaged all the way to America. Her journey to become an illustrious pianist started at an early age, with her mother, Gertrudes Hautea, known for having high standards for her daughter, serving as one of her first mentors.Īs the first acknowledged Filipino child prodigy in piano, Mama Nena made her orchestral debut in 1945, at only 10 years old. Mama Nena, as her family and closest friends would fondly call her, is an Ilongga born on Sept. We are speaking here of Natividad del Rosario-Villanueva, who will always be remembered as a piano virtuoso and whose immense prowess in playing the instrument shone brightly in the world. Her demise on Jmight have marked the end of her journey as a pianist, but her legacy as a legend who endowed the world with uniquely thrilling and stellar musical experiences will continue. Genius consists of equal parts of natural aptitudes and hard work. ![]()
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