Finally, a celebrated cello prodigy
The new whiz kid in Manila’s cello universe is Damodar das Castillo, who turned 18 yesterday (Aug. 3), even as he prepares for a concert with pianist Mariel Ilusorio Aug. 9, 4 p.m. at the Baguio Country Club.
His next engagement is with the Manila Symphony Orchestra Sept. 27 at the Aliw Theater, where he is soloist in Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations.
To be sure, there are other good cellists in the country, but Castillo made a difference by winning five first prizes in international music competitions since age 12.
Among them were the 2017 First North Competition International Music Autumn (online), the 2nd Talinn, Estonia 2018 Competition for Young Artists, the 3rd International Artur Rubinstein Competition in Competition in Dusseldorf, Germany (2020), the 4th Young Ludwig International Music Competition in Berlin, Germany (2020) and the latest, the 5th Musica Goritiensis in Gorizia, Italy.
Damodar also received a special prize (silver) in the 3rd Vienna International Music Competition.
Last year, he was a sensation with the MSO under Finnish conductor Sasha Makila, playing the tricky Dvorak cello concerto and earned an ovation. “That was the first time I played the concerto in Manila. I like the piece because it is virtuosic, challenging, and exciting to play.”
Earlier, he was a sensation when the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra performed in Vienna, and it turned out he was the youngest orchestra member at age 10!
The coincidence is uncanny.
Piano prodigy Cecile Licad entered the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia at age 11.
Cello prodigy Damodar Das Castillo passed the audition at Mozarteum in Vienna at age 10 and easily got the scholarship slot.
Damodar’s collaborating pianist Mariel Ilusorio recalls seeing the cello prodigy for the time. “I remember hearing Damodar backstage in NAMACYA when he was nine. He was the youngest in his category and was awarded 2nd prize. He was overflowing with natural musicality and ease. I watched him grow and develop, especially as he continued his studies abroad, developing in his discipline and being exposed to the traditions of classical music and a high level of musical study. So I was very excited to perform with him. It is very rewarding and meaningful to play with a young talent who is naturally expressive and plays with soul, intensity, and generosity.”
Mariel will imbibe the old soul of Damodar when they perform the Brahms sonata in Baguio City Aug. 9. “The music of Brahms is generally heavy, mature, rich, profound, deep, cerebral, making it a big challenge for any young musician, unlike, for example, the music of Mozart, which is easier for children than for adults. So, the challenge to play this monumental sonata with a young cellist is how to project the depth, heaviness, and intensity of the piece, balancing the tones and ranges of the two instruments to create a rich homogeneous sound physically and in spirit. Chamber music is meaningful when we can listen to ourselves, each other, the music as a whole (and) respect, inspire and excite each other through the music and through common goals, being able to negotiate our differences and growing with the essence of the music.”
Mariel is sure Damodar will like the highland audience. “Baguio audiences are very warm and open. It's a very special place and I am always happy to share music with the people of Baguio as well as those having a break from the big city. Surrounded by nature, it is a very inspiring place to perform.”
On his 18th birthday, Damodar enthuses: “I am focused on my music career now. I want to write songs. I want to have a music career not just classical music but any kind. But let’s see what will happen.”
The complete Baguio program includes Abelardo’s Cavatina, George Masangkay’s Hiram, Brahms’ E minor Sonata, Kodaly’s Op. 8 for Solo Cello and the third movement from Nadia Boulanger’s Three Pieces for Cello and Piano.
