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.

Manila Symphony Orchestra's 100th Anniversary Concert program announced

As the holiday season fast approaches, so does the Manila Symphony Orchestra's grand centennial celebration. As the countdown continues for this momentous occasion, the orchestra recently announced the program for The MSO 100th Anniversary Concert happening on January 22, 2026, 7:30 PM at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit, Makati.

Darrell Ang

The centennial concert begins with Ludwig van Beethoven's Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72b, a throwback to exactly a hundred years ago, January 22, 1926, at the MSO's inaugural concert at the Manila Grand Opera House under the baton of founder Alexander Lippay. For the anniversary concert, conducting will be Singaporean Darrell Ang, a frequent collaborator of the MSO. Leonore Overture No. 3 is one of his most dramatic orchestral works, embodying themes of struggle, freedom, and triumph. Originally written for his only opera, Fidelio, the overture transforms the story’s emotional journey from darkness and conflict to light and redemption into a powerful symphonic form. 

Muyu Liu

Following the overture is another Beethoven gem, the Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 with the returning Muyu Liu as the featured soloist. Also known as the Emperor Concerto, this work stands as his last completed piano concerto and one of the most majestic works in the repertoire. Written between 1809 and 1811 during Vienna’s turbulent wartime, the concerto opens with three commanding chords that set a heroic tone before the piano enters in a bold and unprecedented way. Its grand orchestration, virtuosic solo writing, and dialogue between piano and orchestra reveal Beethoven’s mature mastery.

Philippine Madrigal Singers

A couple of works by MSO Trustee and National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, Misa 2000 and Te Deum, comprise the other half of the program to be conducted by Mark Anthony Carpio that will also feature the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers. Cayabyab's Misa 2000 is a visionary and profoundly moving sacred work that unites Western liturgical form with Filipino musical identity. Written for dance and recognized by the Onassis International Cultural Competition, it combines chorus, orchestra, and indigenous instruments in a vibrant tapestry of sound and spirit.

Mark Anthony Carpio

On the other hand, Te Deum is a grand choral-orchestral work that radiates joy, gratitude, and praise. Setting the traditional Latin hymn to music, Cayabyab infuses the composition with his signature rhythmic vitality and harmonic richness, blending classical structure with contemporary sensibility. Celebratory and uplifting, Te Deum reflects both the universality of faith and the Filipino spirit of thanksgiving, a fitting conclusion to the Manila Symphony Orchestra’s centennial concert.

Along with the announcement of the upcoming centennial concert program comes the much awaited lineup of the MSO Season 100 for 2026-2027.

Concert I: Centennial Opening: The Sleeping Beauty

March 13-15, 2026

Aliw Theater

Concert II: Centennial Rising Stars of the Philippines

May 30, 2026

Proscenium Theatre

Concert III: Symphony of a Nation: 100 Years of Music, 80 Years of FilAm Friendship

July 4, 2026

Manila Metropolitan Theater

Concert IV: Legacies in Song: MSO’s 100 Years and the Voice of Conching Rosal

August 29, 2026

FEU Auditorium

Concert V: Centennial Finale Gala: Philippine Master Composers, Past, Present, and Future

October 2026

Hyundai Hall, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University

Concert VI: MSO 100 Centennial Finale

January 2027

Venue TBA

*program, artists, date, and venue subject to change

Tickets for The MSO 100th Anniversary Concert are currently available via Ticketworld. Prices are as follows:

Price Zone 1: P5,000

Price Zone 2: P4,700

Price Zone 3: P4,500

Price Zone 4: P4,000

Price Zone 5: P3,000

Price Zone 6: P2,000

Price Zone 7: P1,800

Special offers include 50% discount for students and 20% discount for senior citizens and PWDs. There is also a 20% Early Bird Discount Code: MSO100EB20 that remains valid untiil December 1, 2025 11:59PM.

Philippine Madrigal Singers perform at outreach concert at Lipa Cathedral

The Cultural Center of the Philippines, in cooperation with the City Government of Lipa, Batangas, presents the Philippine Madrigal Singers in concert on January 18, 2023, 7:00 PM at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, Lipa City.

Led by choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio, the Madz will be joined in this concert by crossover violinist Jobry Cimafranca.

Tickets are free and are open to the public. The concert will also be live-streamed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Facebook page.

This performance of the Philippine Madrigal Singers at Lipa City is part of the outreach program of the Cultural Center of the Philippines that aims to cultivate and enhance public interest and appreciation for the arts and culture, bringing them closer to the people, especially to the regions.

Tribute online concert to Manila born Spanish musician Luis Eduardo Aute set on November 18

The Instituto Cervantes de Manila and the Embassy of the Spain in the Philippines pays tribute to Manila-born Spanish musician Luis Eduardo Aute through Con tu latido: Filipinas canta a Aute, an online concert streaming on November 18, 2021, 7:00 PM at the Instituto Cervantes YouTube channel.

The concert will feature Filipino singers who will perform songs by Aute, one of Spain's reputed artists and popular musicians in the latter part of the 20th century.

Born in Manila in 1943, Aute spent his childhood studying at the De La Salle school before settling in Spain with his family in 1954. There, he rose to fame in the 1970s as a composer of film soundtracks for movies directed by Jaime Chávarri, Luis García Berlanga, Fernando Fernán-Gómez, Angelino Fons, Fernando Méndez, etc. This period also saw him top the charts as a singer with Las cuatro y diez, or Al alba. He followed it up with hits that include Pasaba por aquí, Sin tu latido, La belleza, and Slowly. Aute passed away in September 2020.

The Filipino singers, performing the songs of Aute in Spanish is led by popular singer-stage actress Bituin Escalante. Joining her are Philippine Madrigal Singers Mark Anthony Carpio, Toma Cayabyab, Julius Sinoy, James Barbecho, Sheila Ferrer, and Ella Castro. Spanish singer Rosa León completes the lineup of performers.

Con tu latido: Filipinas canta a Aute is presented by the Instituto Cervantes de Manila, in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines and Intramuros Administration.