PPO chamber music concert series resumes on June 25

After skipping a month, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s Chamber Music Concert Series returns with bassoonist Adolfo Mendoza and pianist Mary Anne Espina premiering online on June 25, 2021, 8:00 PM at the PPO Facebook page and the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ YouTube channel.

The duo of Mendoza and Espina will perform Camille Saint-Saëns' Bassoon Sonata in G major, Op. 168 and Carl Maria von Weber’s Andante e Rondo ongarese, Op 35.

One can still catch up with the previous five episodes of the PPO’s Chamber Music Concert Series that are available to view at the PPO Facebook page and the CCP’s YouTube channel.

PPO Spotlight plays the hits of Willy Cruz, Rey Valera

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra digs into the OPM playlist and plays the hits of composers Willy Cruz and Rey Valera at the upcoming episode of The PPO Spotlight: Virtual Pocket Performances premiering on June 18, 2021, 8:00 PM at the PPO’s Facebook page and at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' YouTube channel.

Music to be performed in this episode includes Willy Cruz's Kahit Na to be interpreted by the trio of violinist Dino Akira Decena, cellist Giuseppe Andre Diestro, and pianist Jascha Obieta Decena.

Rey Valera’s hits to be played includes Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko to be performed by flautist Edgardo Silangcruz, Walang Kapalit arranged by Manny Manalo, to be performed by trumpet players Glober Calambro and Melvin Miranda, French horn player Jay-Ar Mesa, trombonist Alejandro Fernandes, tuba player Benedicto Dela Peret Jr., percussionists Aimee Dela Cruz and Elizalde Tolentino, and drummer Ederic Sampedro.

The episode wraps up with a Sharon Cuneta Medley of Willy Cruz and Rey Valera compositions arranged by Rommel Camba to be played by the PPO String Section.

PPO Spotlight plays Ernani Cuenco, Raul Sunico hosts

Internationally renowned pianist, Steinway artist, and former Cultural Center of the Philippines President Dr. Raul M. Sunico hosts an Ernani Cuenco themed edition of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s PPO Spotlight: Virtual Pocket Performances series premiering on June 4, 2021, 8:00 PM at the PPO’s Facebook page and the CCP’s YouTube channel.

In this 9th installment of the series, PPO members will perform a handful of love songs by National Artist for Music Ernani Cuenco namely Bato sa Buhangin (arr. By Joy T. Nilo) by bassoonist Frenvee Andra and guitarist James Peter Namit; Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal by violinist Michael Del Rosario; Sa Bawat Sandali by French horn Ernani Pascual; and Nahan by flutist Hercules Santiago.

Cuenco was an award winning film scorer, musical director, music teacher, and seasoned orchestra player who elevated contemporary Filipino music. The selection of music to be performed in this edition also showcases how he imbued the ballad with elements of the kundiman, the Filipino art song.

Watch this and also catch up on previous episodes of the PPO Spotlight: Virtual Pocket Performances at the PPO Facebook page and at the CCP YouTube channel.