Monday, September 05, 2011

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra presents epic lineup for their 29th Season “Soundscapes”


After what seemed like an eternity (when it was actually just a few months), the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra comes back for their 29th concert season called Soundscapes featuring pieces that are of epic proportions. And finally that time has come and I couldn’t wait to see what their principal conductor/music director Olivier Ochanine has in store for us this season. I’ve been terribly busy during the orchestra’s off season and although I’ve attended countless events at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, I always wished that it was already the start of the PPO’s new season. Well, the time has finally arrived and the wait is over.

In order to spread the word for this season, the PPO held a press conference at the Silangan Hall at the CCP. Of course I was there armed with a few questions for the Maestro Ochanine in regards to this season, the PPO’s 29th which is dubbed as Soundscapes: Epic Evenings with the PPO.

Olivier Ochanine

Ochanine teased the members of the press and media present that for this season, there will be technically difficult pieces, epic in other words, pushing the limits of the orchestra. And aside from the usual guest soloists coming from abroad, there will also be more Filipino soloists featured this season. CCP President Raul Sunico also mentioned that there will be pre-concert lectures once again for the benefit of the audience. Ochanine added that the audience will benefit from these lectures since some of the pieces would require some explaining to do in order for the people to appreciate it fully.

There were a few changes to the programme that was known during the press conference compared to the lineup that I got a few months ago. Most notable among the changes was the cancellation of the world premiere of a commissioned work that was replaced by a concert featuring soprano Rachelle Gerodias. Ochanine originally wanted Gerodias to be part of the season but she was still not yet sure of her schedule months ago. So the PPO released a tentative lineup which was eventually changed when Gerodias’ participation became absolutely sure. But Ochanine pointed out that he is still very much open to premiering a new work but he prefers to have this outside of their regular season to be held at a different venue.

The PPO String Quartet

I also asked if there will be masterclasses by the guest soloists and Ochanine answered that everything depends on the guests’ schedules but that it would be great. And as a conductor himself, Ochanine wants the two guest conductors to share their knowledge to conducting students in here. He also mentioned that he hopes that the conducting workshop that he has planned before will finally happen soon.

Here is the schedule of the Soundscapes, the 2011-2012 season of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

September 9, 2011

Featuring:
Renato Lucas, cello
Olivier Ochanine, conductor

Programme:
Camille Saint-Saëns Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah, Op. 47
Edward Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
Richard Strauss Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40

October 7, 2011

Featuring:
Ariel Sta. Ana, clarinet
Olivier Ochanine, conductor

Programme:
Silverstre Revueltas Sensemayá
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622
Angel Peña Igorot Rhapsody
Ottorino Respighi Feste Romane

November 11, 2011

Featuring:
Bùi Công Duy, violin
Jae-Joon Lee, conductor

Programme:
Johannes Brahms Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80
Max Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26
Hector Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14

December 16, 2011

Featuring:
Ariel Dechosa, piano
Olivier Ochanine, conductor

Programme:
Maurice Ravel Le tombeau de Couperin
Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 68
Sergei Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27

January 20, 2012

Featuring:
Takahiro Ono, trombone
Olivier Ochanine, conductor

Programme:
Antonín Dvořák Czech Suite in D major, Op. 39
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Concerto for Trombone and Military Band
Carl Nielsen Symphony No. 4, Op. 29 FS 76, The Inextinguishable

February 17, 2012

Featuring:
Vesa-Matti Leppänen, violin
James Judd, conductor

Programme:
Leonard Bernstein Overture from Candide
Ludwig van Beethoven Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61
Felix Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 Italian

March 16, 2012

Featuring:
Rachelle Gerodias, soprano
Olivier Ochanine, conductor

Programme:
Arias, kundimans and more
Anton Bruckner Symphony No. 4 in E flat major, WAB 104 Romantic
Antonino Buenaventura By the Hillside

April 20, 2012

Featuring:
Sofya Gulyak, piano
Olivier Ochanine, conductor

Programme:
Johannes Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15
Igor Stravinsky The Rite of Spring

*All concerts except for the February 17, 2012 concert will be staged at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines at 8:00 PM. The James Judd and the Italian Symphony concert on February 17, 2012 will be staged at the Philam Life Auditorium at 7:30 PM instead.

Renato Lucas opens the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra's 29th concert season

September 9, 2011, 8:00 PM
Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
CCP Complex
Pasay, Metro Manila

Featuring:
Renato Lucas, cello
Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra
Olivier Ochanine, conductor

Programme:
Camille Saint-Saëns Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah, Op. 47
Edward Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
Richard Strauss Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40

The Philippine Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra opens its 29th concert season with a heroic programme this September 9, 2011, 8:00 PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) of the Cultral Center of the Philippines. Renato Lucas, the PPO’s former principal cellist, will be the featured soloist as he performs Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Olivier Ochanine. Other pieces comprising this concert entitled “A Hero’s Life” are the Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah by Camille Saint-Saëns and Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40 by Richard Strauss.

Cellist Renato Lucas

The last time I saw Lucas perform was during the opening of the Eiga Sai and I told him that I was patiently waiting his time to perform the Elgar Cello Concerto which is one of the most popular pieces in the cello repertoire. I’ve yet to hear Bacchanale and Ein Heldenleben live and I’m really looking forward to seeing how the PPO will perform the Strauss piece. As expected, I will be among the Pinoy Violinists before, during and after the concert.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Ticket prices:
P1000 Orchestra Center
P800 Orchestra Side
P500 Balcony I Center
P350 Balcony I Side
P200 Balcony II
50% student discount
20% senior citizen discount

For inquiries:
CCP Marketing Department 832-1125 loc. 1806
CCP Box Office 832-3704
TicketWorld 891-9999

No comments:

Post a Comment