Ricson Poonin's trombone leads PPO's 2018 opener

Nothing says that everything is back to normal after the holiday break more than being at my regular seat watching the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra as their 35^th concert season resumes this January 19, 2018, 8:00 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).

Back with the PPO after studying at the Hopkins Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, Ricson Poonin and his trombone will be on the spotlight performing Ferdinand David’s Concertino for Trombone and Orchestra, Op. 4. Other pieces to be performed on that night include Manuel P. Maramba OSB’s Symphony Ode “La Naval” and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 "Pathétique".

My unfamiliarity with the Maramba and David pieces will have me browsing through the program notes while waiting for the concert to start. It is uncertain if Associate Conductor Herminigildo Ranera, who will lead the orchestra on this night, will have one of his pre-concert lectures that could be a great source of information and background for these rarely performed pieces.

On the other hand, the deeply personal Tchaikovsky piece is very familiar to me and I am gearing myself for the upcoming performance of this by listening to the composer’s entire 6 symphony cycle. Whether this self-induced Tchaikovsky symphony overload makes me a more pleasant or unpleasant person to interact with remains to be seen. Either way, owing to the somber end to the Tchaik 6, I expect Ranera to prepare a suitable encore to ensure that the audience will leave the CCP in high spirits.

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra 35^th Concert Season 2017-2018

Romancing the Classics Concert V
January 19, 2018, 8:00 PM | Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)

Featuring:

Ricson Poonin, trombone

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Herminigildo Ranera, conductor

Program:

Manuel P. Maramba OSB
     Symphony Ode “La Naval”
Ferdinand David
     Concertino for Trombone and Orchestra, Op. 4
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
     Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, "Pathétique"