MSO's 100th Anniversary Concert: A celebration of Beethoven and Cayabyab

Muyu Liu, Darrell Ang, and the Manila Symphony Orchestra
Photo ©Manila Symphony Orchestra

Back in January 22, 1926, a newly formed symphony orchestra under the leadership of Alexander Lippay gave its first concert at the Manila Grand Opera House This orchestra eventually became known as the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO). And exactly a century later to the date, the MSO celebrated this milestone with the 100th Anniversary Concert held at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.

Joining the MSO in this concert are pianist Muyu Liu, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, and conductors Darrell Ang and Mark Anthony Carpio.

Prior to the concert, MSO's Executive Director Jeffrey Solares gave a walking tour about the history of the MSO, occasionally stopping by old photographs, souvenir programs, and other documents and artifacts that were on display at the lobby. The Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra also gave a short performance to cap the walking tour.

Muyu Liu opened the concert proper with Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 which is also known as the Emperor Concerto. Beethoven music has been regularly performed at the MSO's early concerts and this concerto was no exception. As if totally embracing her part in this once in a century event, Muyu Liu exuded joy with her take on the Emperor Concerto. With an ever present smile, her rendition was celebratory and triumphant befitting the occasion.

Philippine Madrigal Singers, Mark Anthony Carpio,
and the Manila Symphony Orchestra
Photo ©Manila Symphony Orchetsra

The other Beethoven work programmed, Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72b, was a music throwback to the 1926 concert where this work was performed as the finale. It was expected that this overture would open 2026 concert for a full circle moment but it ushered in the second half instead. Seeing how dynamic and exciting Darrell Ang was on the podum, one would quickly realize that it would've been a crime if he was partially obstructed by the piano onstage while conducting this Beethoven showpiece.

The remainder of the program was devoted to sacred music by Ryan Cayabyab, National Artist for Music, with the MSO now joined by the Philippine Madrigal Singers and Mark Anthony Carpio conducting. The performance of Cayabyab's Sanctus and Gloria from Misa 2000 with the Te Deum tucked in between, transported the audience to a virtual cathedral with the double chorus of the 80 member-strong Madz reverberating inside the theater.

Jeffrey Solares and the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra

The MSO's 100th Anniversary Concert looked back at the orchestra's beginnings when Beethoven figured prominently in its early concerts. And it also served as a reminder that in the MSO's century of existence, the orchestra has been shaping Philippine music history and continues to do so by championing Filipino works as evidenced by the Cayabyab music.