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| Manila Symphony Orchestra |
Several years ago as I was reading James A. Grymes' Violins of Hope, a book that told the stories of violins played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust, I encountered the name Herbert Zipper in one of the earliest chapters. The chapter detailed Zipper and his other inmates' experience in Dachau, one of the earliest concentration camps established by the Nazis. While detained inside, Zipper did the unthinkable and formed a clandestine orchestra. Despite being forbidden, Zipper and his fourteen-piece orchestra continued to play in secret, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of music to spark hope even in the darkest of times. Zipper got transferred to Buchenwald when Dachau became too crowded, but then got eventually released and was able to return to Vienna. The chapter last mentioned Zipper as one of the fortunate ones who were able depart from Vienna just before the Nazis put a stop on Jewish emigration.
Herbert Zipper's name definitely rang a bell for although it was no longer mentioned in Violins of Hope, he eventually ended up in the Philippines in 1939 taking over conducting duties of the Manila Symphony Orchestra soon after the death of its founder Alexander Lippay. He might have escaped the Nazis but Zipper had to contend with the Japanese invaders during World War II.
One could just imagine that all that Zipper had experienced played a crucial role in mounting the historic post-liberation concerts especially the one at the ruins of the Sta. Cruz Church that has now gained legendary status. And according to the Academy Award Nominated short documentary Never Give Up: The 20th Century Odyssey of Herbert Zipper directed by Terry Sanders, a war correspondent who was at the concert later wrote that "The Eroica has been performed by many greater orchestras but never with greater feeling."
It's this intertwining of music and world history that makes the Manila Symphony Orchestra so fascinating. The MSO's storied past comes to the forefront as the orchestra inches closer to its centennial year. In line with this, the MSO has launched its 2025-2026 concert series, offering an exciting season that is a hundred years in the making.
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| Sara Gonzales performs with Jeffrey Solares conducting |
Commemorating the Past
The MSO honors the past with their season opener commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the post-liberation concerts of 1945-1946, a prolific time for the orchestra performing over 150 concerts soon after World War II. To be performed in this concert, billed as Music for Peace, are Antonín Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, B. 178, "From the New World" aka New World Symphony and Ludwig van Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61. The Dvořák symphony was one of the pieces performed by the MSO at the first post-liberation concert at the Sta. Cruz Church ruins mentioned earlier. The Beethoven violin concerto was also performed by the MSO during this time with then 18-year old Basilio Manalo as the soloist. Manalo later on spearheaded the 2001 reorganization of the MSO.
Music for Peace, the MSO 2025-2026 concert series opener happens on May 24, 2025, 7:30 PM at the Aliw Theater located at the CCP Complex in Pasay City. Emanuel John "EJ" Villarin is the guest soloist performing the Beethoven violin concerto while MSO Music Director/Principal Conductor Marlon Chen conducts.
Spotlighting the Future
Along with EJ Villarin, a few of MSO's scholars will get their share on the spotlight this season namely violinist Monica Bacus, and cellist Damodar Das Castillo. Bacus will perform Chen Gang and He Zhanhao's Butterfly Lovers Concerto, one of the most classical music pieces to come out from China, while Das Castillo will take on Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33. Aside from these promising soloists, the season will also feature a yet to be announced children's choir.
Forging Links
Over the years, the MSO has featured numerous conductors and guest soloists from all around the world and this season is no exception. The Embassies of Brazil and the People's Republic of China will co-present concerts this season. The Braziilian Guitar and Cello concert will show that there is more to Brazilian music than samba and bossa nova. This concert will also feature Brazilian guest artists namely cellist Fabio Presgrave and guitarist Fabio Zanon. On the other hand, the Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto by Chen Gang and He Zhanhao headlines the concert bearing the same name. A yet unannounced Chinese guest conductor will be leading the MSO.
Other notable foreign guests appearing this season include Hungarian cellist Zoltán Onczay, American conductor Angel Velez, Chinese pianist Muyu Liu, and the Los Angeles Film Composers Intensive (LAFCI). Frequent MSO collaborators Alexander Vikulov from Russia and Darrell Ang from Singapore will conduct concerts this season as well.
Championing the Filipino
The season will also feature the works of Jeffrey Ching and Conrado del Rosario, both of whom were born in the Philippines and later on had further studies in Europe. Del Rosario's works can be characterized as sweeping and cinematic while Ching's avant-garde compositions challenge both the listener and the performer. One performer who has tackled Ching's demanding works with flying marks is soprano Stefanie Quintin-Avila who incidentally is also among the artists making an appearance this season.
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| Jeffrey Solares conducts the MSO |
Below is a rundown of the Manila Symphony Orchestra's 2025-2026 concert series.
Music for Peace
May 24, 2025
Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City
Emanuel John Villarin, violin
Marlon Chen, conductor
Antonín Dvořák Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, B. 178, "From the New World"
Ludwig van Beethoven Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61
A Night in Hollywood
June 28, 2025
Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City
Zoltán Onczay, cello
Angel Velez, American guest conductor
New Works for Film by the Los Angeles Film Composers Intensive (LAFCI) Conducting Fellows
Brazilian Guitar and Cello
August 9, 2025
Venue: TBA
Fabio Presgrave, cello
Fabio Zanon, guitar
Stefanie Quintin-Avila, soprano
Marlon Chen, conductor
Music by Heitor Villa-Lobos and Jeffrey Ching
Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto
September 7, 2025
Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City
Monica Bacus, violin
Children’s Choir
Chinese guest conductor
Chen Gang, He Zhanhao Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto
Filipino Work for Children’s Choir and Orchestra
Dancing with Tchaikovsky
September 27, 2025
Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City
Damodar Das Castillo, cello
Alexander Vikulov, guest conductor
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33
Suite from the Ballet “Sleeping Beauty”
The MSO 100th Anniversary Concert
January 22, 2026
Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati
Muyu Liu, piano
Darrell Ang, guest conductor
*Dates and venues may be subject to change
Tickets are now available at Ticketworld:
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Email: tickets@ticketworld.com.ph
Call: 0917-550-6997 or 0999-954-5922
50% for Students
Use the code: MUSICFORPEACESTUDENT50
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For inquiries regarding subscription packages for the Season 99 Concert Series, please check the website: www.manilasymphony.com or call Ms. Riva Ferrer, MSO Marketing Manager at +63917-8501774
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