Yoshikazu Fukumura guest conducts ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

The ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra welcomes guest conductor Yoshikazu Fukumura for its upcoming performance on August 9, 2019, 7:00 PM at the ABS-CBN Dolphy Theater.

The evening will include performances of Claude Debussy’s Petite Suite, L65, Maurice Ravel’s Ma mère l'Oye (Mother Goose) and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No.2 in D major, Op. 36.

Yoshikazu Fukumura from Japan is the current music director/principal conductor of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

Once again, admission to this concert is free and one just needs to contact Joji Cardones at (0998)969-7329 to secure seats.

ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra to play Bizet, Tchaikovsky in free concert

Less than a week after their latest performance, the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Gerard Salonga resume their Classical Concert Series this July 26, 2019, 6:15 PM at the ABS-CBN Studio 4.

The music to be performed on this night are Georges Bizet’s Carmen Suites 1 & 2, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64. A pre-concert talk will precede the performance.

As always, admission is free but since seats are limited, it is highly recommended to contact Joji Cardones at (0998)969-7329 or 415-2272 local 2407.

ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra puts spotlight on young artists in upcoming concert

Catch two of the country's promising young, music talents, pianist Jet Stephen Chong and violinist Adrian Nicolas Ong, perform with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Gerard Salonga in The Young Soloists, a concert happening on July 20, 2019, 7:00 PM at the Hyundai Hall, Areté at the Ateneo de Manila University campus.

Pieces to be performed are Alexander Glazunov's Chopiniana, Op. 46, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23 with Jet as soloist, and Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35, with Adrian as soloist, and Sergei Rachmaninoff's Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14.

Adrian is headed to New York, USA to study at the Mannes School of Music (The New School) under the tutelage of Professor Aaron Rosand and Christina Kimmh Rosand. Jet, on the other hand, is Singapore bound to study at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Professor Albert Tiu.

For tickets, contact Eric Bolante at (0998)969-7175 or Kat Berber at (0998)969-7176 or contact 415-2272 local 2411.

ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra showcases principal rumpet EJ Celestial in latest concert

A few years ago, I wished that the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra would resume classical music performances since this had been few and far in between of late. But earlier this year, the wish finally came true as the orchestra has been on a roll with their Classical Concert Series to the point that I almost couldn't keep up with the performances.

The latest edition with Gerard Salonga conducting happens on June 6, 2019, 6:45 PM at the Dolphy Theater will feature Lucio San Pedro's Ang Buwan sa Kabundukan, Alexander Arutiunian's Trumpet Concerto in A flat major with ABS PO’s principal trumpet Xavier Ernest John Celestial as the featured soloist, and  Edward Elgar's Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 or more popularly known as the Enigma Variations.

As always, admission to the concert is free and one just need to contact Ms.Joji Cardones at (0998)-969-7329 to secure seats and for other inquiries.

ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra plays Bernstein, Gershwin, and Rachmaninoff

The ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra presents the latest installment of its Classical Concert Series this May 17, 2019, 6:45 PM at the ABS-CBN's Studio 2..

With Gerard Salonga conducting, this evening puts the spotlight on the orchestra's very own Jesper Colleen Mercado, who will be the featured pianist in George Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F.

Other pieces to be performed are Leonard Bernstein's Candide Overture and Sergei Rachmaninoff’s monumental Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27.

As always, the concert is free admission and one just needs to contact Ms. Joji Cardones at (0998) 969-7329 to secure one's seat.

NAMCYA winner Joshua Ethan Dakanay in ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra concert

Barely a couple of weeks after the educational Evening with Beethoven, the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra presents its latest installment of their Classical Concert Series happening this April 26, 2019, 6:45 PM at the ABS-CBN's Studio 4.

For this evening, the orchestra, along with conductor Joshua Dos Santos, welcomes Joshua Ethan Dakanay as their guest soloist.

Dakanay won the 1st Prize at the 2018 National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) Junior Strings Category. He will be the featured soloist at Camille Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33.

Also part of the evening's program are Claude Debussy's Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune/Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and Antonín Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, B. 178, "From the New World".

Admission to the concert is free. Seats are limited so do contact Joji Cardones at (02) 415-2272 extension 2407 or (0998) 969-7329 to ensure one's seat.

An educational Beethoven evening with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

Joshua Dos Santos and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor Joshua Dos Santos led the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra in a performance of two Beethoven symphonies that not only delighted the predominantly young audience that filled the Dolphy Theater, but also served as further education for a more enjoyable concert experience.

Before the performance began, Joshua gave the audience a brief background on Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60 and the more popular and frequently performed symphonies that preceded and followed it. He stressed the importance of thinking the fourth as a transition to Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67, undeniably the most popular symphony out there. And that whatever baffles the audience with the fourth with its less than dramatic and majestic music will fall into place and finally make sense once he/she gets listens to the fifth 

Conductor Joshua Dos Santos gives a pre-concert talk

As for me, this was a new way of approaching the fourth since I always regarded it as an unusual follow up to the epic, revolutionary third symphony. Instead of further revolutionizing the symphony, it seemed to harken back to the second. So in this concert, I had the fifth in mind (instead of the second and the third) while listening to the fourth.

Joshua conducted the orchestra with such vigor as if he had a Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra sized battalion of strings at his disposal. Despite the small number of the strings, he was able to bring out a full, robust sound from them without sacrificing precision.

Joshua Dos Santos "conducts" the audience on how to applaud

After the concert, an audience unaccustomed to how applause is usually done was "conducted" by Joshua. He said that while it is not cool to applaud in between movements, it is definitely cool to clap loudly during the curtain call and while the soloists from the orchestra are acknowledged. And proving how effective of a conductor he is, the audience was able to pick this up and I am confident that they will applaud in a cool way when they watch their next concert.

ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra in all Beethoven concert

The ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra presents An Evening with Beethoven on April 11, 2019, 7:00 PM at the Dolphy Theater.

The evening will feature performances of two of Ludwig van Beethoven's symphonies namely Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60 and probably the most popular symphony in the whole world, Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67, with Joshua Dos Santos conducting the orchestra.

Admission to the concert is for free. Contact Ms. Joji Cardones at (0998) 969-7329 for more infornation.

ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra performs Beethoven, Lalo, and Tchaikovsky in free concert

The ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra presents their Classical Concert Series with a performance on March 15, 2019, 6:00 PM at the Dolphy Theater, ABS-CBN Compound.

Venezuelan Joshua Dos Santos conducts the concert featuring Ludwig van Beethoven's Egmont Overture, Op. 84, Édouard Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole in D minor, Op. 21 with Orchestra of the Filipino Youth's concertmaster Jose Marie Eserjose as the soloist, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 ‘Little Russian'.

Admission to the concert is free. Contact Joji Cardones at (0998) 969-7329 for more information.

Past and recent winners share the spotlight in NAMCYA's 45th anniversary concert

Diomedes Saraza Jr., Rachelle Gerodias, Gerard Salonga, Renato Lucas,
Andrew Fernando, Nicole Pugeda, Radnel Ofalsa,
and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

The celebrations for the 45^th anniversary of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) continued with a concert featuring past and recent winners that was recently held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The one night affair, billed as Bayan ng Musika, Alay ng NAMCYA, featured violinist Diomedes Saraza Jr., soprano Rachelle Gerodias, baritone Andrew Fernando, soprano Nicole Pugeda, tenor Radnel Ofalsa, and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Gerard Salonga and Renato Lucas.

Violinist Diomedes Saraza Jr., conductor Gerard Salonga,
and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

To kick things off, Gerard Salonga led the orchestra with a delightful Overture from Così fan tutte, K. 588 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Then it was Diomedes Saraza Jr. (2002 1^st Prize Violin Category) who took to the stage performing Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64. This piece has been a popular choice among violinists at the NAMCYA. There was a year when 5 out of the 7 competitors had this piece. It was a taxing experience to sit through that many and with just a piano accompaniment to boot. But not taxing at all was Diomedes Saraza, Jr. breezing through it with such security during the concert. His encore was an upgrade of his staple, Willy Cruz’s Sana’y Wala Ng Wakas, performed that night with the orchestra.

Baritone Andrew Fernando, soprano Rachelle Gerodias,
conductor Renato Lucas, soprano Nicole Pugeda, tenor Radnel Ofalsa,
and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

The second half had Renato Lucas conducting the orchestra with an interesting mixed bag of Filipino songs, arias and rarely heard Filipino short orchestral pieces namely Jullio Nakpil’s Salve Patria and Rosendo Santos’ Maglalatik that evoked images of processions and celebrations in rural areas.

Soprano Nicole Pugeda (2017 2^nd Prize Senior Voice Category) performed Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran by Francisco Santiago showcasing a rich timbre still retaining that sparkle and lightness of youth. Her luscious lower tones were heard in great effect especially when in contrast with Rachelle Gerodias during their duet of Duo des fleurs/Sous le dôme épais aka the popular The Flower Duet from Léo Delibes' opera Lakmé.

Tenor Radnel Ofalsa (1^st Prize Senior Voice Category) did the challenging Ecco, ridente in cielo from Gioachino Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia. He is clearly one of the young tenors whose range is impeccable and when he finds more polish in his runs, I won’t be surprised if he gets substantial roles in opera productions soon.

As always, baritone Andrew Fernando (1998 2^nd Prize Voice Category) had such physical and vocal presence on stage with his performance of Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre, the Toreador song from Georges Bizet’s Carmen. He remained in character throughout the aria and it would not have been difficult for people to figure out what his character was all about despite not knowing any French nor the story of Carmen.

As a staunch supporter of young and upcoming talent through the Klassikal Music Foundation, Andrew made sure that he didn’t overpower Radnel and let the younger one shine too in their duet of Au fond du temple saint from Bizet’s Les pêcheurs de perles/The Pearl Fishers.

I do have to commend soprano Rachelle Gerodias (1990 2^nd Prize Voice Category) who exemplified what professionalism is that night, giving a masterful performance despite a most difficult personal circumstance. Her take on Nicanor Abelardo’s Mutya ng Pasig was impassioned. Having heard performances of this song with just a piano accompaniment throughout the years has made me forget how much more moving this music could be with an orchestra. She also capped the program with an English version of Mein Herr Marquis, aka Adele's Laughing Song from Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus.

Encore was I Love You So from Franz Lehar’s The Merry Widow with the four singers that gave the audience an idea on how NAMCYA has paved the way for musicians to achieve greater things beyond the competition. See who follows their footsteps as the 2018 NAMCYA National Finals Competition happens this November20-25, 2015 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Celeste Legaspi, Ryan Cayabyab and ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra give masterful performance at the Shang

Celeste Legaspi

Celeste Legaspi showed why she is regarded as one of the finest singers in the Philippines in her Mother’s Day showcase with ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra led by Ryan Cayabyab held at the Shangri-La Plaza.

Although still recovering from a cold, Celeste gave a soul moving performance, with her voice remaining as exquisite as ever even after more than four decades in the business. For this performance, she and Ryan Cayabyab have unearthed his orchestral arrangements from her concert back in 1985 giving the young ones at the audience a chance to hear music that she described as vintage, classic, and timeless.

Celeste’s music were indeed proven timeless as the audience gave generous applause upon recognizing the opening strains of her greatest hits namely Tuliro, Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal, and Mamang Sorbetero.

She in turn gave tribute to Ryan Cayabyab aka Mr. C who celebrated his birthday less than two weeks before by singing one of his songs, Nais Ko. She was full of conviction when she expressed her desire for Mr. C to be awarded as National Artist for Music.

Her rendition of Lupa was epic as it was a masterful display of not just singing but also in communicating and being one with the song. I had goosebumps during this song and it felt like the entire mall was all ears during this number and this moment was only broken with the audience’s rapturous applause. It was remarkable that despite the usual noise inside the mall, Celeste commanded attention and was able to deliver heartfelt renditions of La Vie en Rose that she dedicated to her mother and the finale Never Ever Say Goodbye in which she was almost in tears.

The affair wasn’t just filled with tear jerkers as Celeste showed that she could sing anything with numbers like Bakyang-Bakya, Mister Musikero and a “classical” Pipit. Her encore, Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako, was also very well appreciated although there were clamors for her to sing Saranggola ni Pepe. This was actually played the by the spot on ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra serving as an overture to the concert. The orchestra also did Liman-dipang Tao while Celeste took a breather halfway through the concert.

Ryan Cayabyab conducting the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

For me, it was during the upbeat numbers that the arrangements felt very 1980’s and somewhat dated but the ballads remarkably stood the test of time. I just wish that the Mamang Sorbetero was performed with the arrangement from the actual recording that had the strings, flutes, a slapping bass, and of course, the bells.

It is noteworthy that almost all of the songs that Celeste performed were in the Filipino language and also by local composers. Thank goodness that Shangri-La Plaza is a mall where Filipino music and artists are celebrated as evidenced by recent performances there by Joey G., South Border, Rivermaya, and Up Dharma Down. This reminded me of a controversy at a different mall when a rock band was forbidden to sing any songs in Filipino.

After the concert, a lot of senior citizens were brought back in time and became fangirls once again as they crowded around Celeste showering with her well wishes and having their photos taken with her. I saw a bunch of mothers and grandmothers who were very excited to have their children and grandchildren meet her. It was like the older set proudly showing their generation’s treasure to the younger ones. On the other hand, Ryan Cayabyab showed his mastery in taking selfies with fans who patiently waited in line. I wish that in the future, there will be a more organized meet and greet session for the convenience of the artist and the fans and also for everyone’s safety.

Christian Bautista joins Ballet Manila's Ballet & Ballads

Singer Christian Bautista joins Ballet Manila in the latest edition of the company’s signature series Ballet & Ballads opening this February 10, 2018, 6:00 PM at the Aliw Theater.

Christian will perform music from his latest album, along with musical theater hits, in this show that falls right smack during the Valentine’s season. I think it was during the promotional tour of the Soundtrack album back in 2014 when I last saw Christian so it’s high time that I see him perform live once again. With this show, Christian joins the ranks of singers like Ariel Rivera, Lani Misalucha, Jaya, Nyoy Volante, Karylle, Kyla, and Freestyle who were featured in previous Ballets & Ballads that has singers sharing the stage with ballet dancers.

The inclusion of opera singers from the Klassikal Music Foundation (KMF) namely baritone Andrew Fernando, sopranos Jade Riccio and Stephanie Aguilar, mezzo soprano Krissan Manikan-Tan, tenor Leo Angelo Lanuza, along with the special participation of tenor Dr. George T. Yang, gives this year’s edition a newer dimension.

These opera singers are very familiar to me and I’ve seen them perform numerous times before. I am actually excited for the other audience members who are not into opera to have their first taste of this art form via this show. I have a great hunch that they will be singing during Martin Lawrance’s Aria, a five act work set to opera music that will have its world premiere in this show.

The ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra will be providing live music throughout the evening and to say that I am very curious to see for the very first time Joshua Dos Santos’ conducting on local soil is such an understatement.

Ballet & Ballads is geared towards bringing new audiences to the ballet through music, the “Ballads”, that is familiar to the public. I may not be that new audience but I’m very much looking forward to seeing the new work by Martin Lawrance, the Vaganova method trained dancers in a new light, and ultimately Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s Ballet Manila moving forward through the introduction of new works.

Ballet & Ballads with Christian Bautista opens on February 10, 2018, 6:00 PM at the Aliw Theater. Succeeding shows will be on February 11, 2018, 3:00 PM, February 17, 6:00 PM, and February 18, 2018, 3:00 PM.

Welcoming 2017 on a high note

Happy New Year everyone! 2016 was indeed music filled and and it definitely helped me get through such a tension filled year. I apologize that updates for the past year had been scarce, there is no excuse for that. But I believe that the arrival of the new year will whip me up back to shape literally and figuratively resulting in more regular updates. To start the 2017 ball rolling, here are just a few music events to look forward to this year.

The remainder of Yoshikazu Fukumura’s debut season with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra resumes with violinist Diomedes Saraza, Jr., cellist Renato Lucas, pianist Monique Duphil, and the orchestra’s former music director Olivier Ochanine as the featured guest artists. May there be no more snags this time so that I will finally see Olivier conduct Dmitri Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93. 

Fukumura will also lead the PPO in select Gala performances of Ballet Philippines’ production of Swan Lake which will be running this February 24-March 5, 2017.

The Manila Symphony Orchestra now adds another night and venue for their 2017 gala concerts. Sunday concerts will happen now at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater, located at the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Loyola Heights Quezon City, just a day after the Saturday concerts at the Power Mac Center Spotlight in Circuit, Makati. This is good news for residents from the northern part of Metro Manila who find Makati too far a venue. The additional date also gives avid concertgoers the choice whether to catch the Saturday or the Sunday performance which is a godsend during a concert/event packed weekend. A definite highlight of the MSO’s upcoming season is a performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana this October 7, 2017 at the Meralco Theater that aims to follow in the footsteps of the recent sold out season finale concert that featured Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in C major, Op. 120.

For a limited time only, discounted subscription rates of P4000 (Henry Lee Irwin and Meralco Theater package) and P4500 (Power Mac Center Spotlight and Meralco Theater package) are available through info@manilasymphony.com or by calling 523-4712.

Gerard Salonga and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, on the other hand, will be part of Tatlo 3 Nations. 1 Voice. happening this January 14, 2017 at the Theater at Solaire. In this concert, the Ateneo Chamber Singers, led by conductor Jonathan M. Velasco, will be joined by the Gaia Philharmonic Choir from Japan and the SYC Ensemble Singers from Singapore. Gerard hasn't been able to contain his excitement in having Leonard Bernstein's Chichester Psalms included in this concert. Apart from this, Gerard will be shuttling back and forth to Hong Kong as he continues his stint as an Assistant Conductor for the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra under Maestro Jaap van Zweden.

Happening just a few weeks from now is the 60^th anniversary staging of Felipe de Leon and Guillermo Tolentino's Noli Me Tangere the Opera at the Cultural Center of the Philippines this January 28-February 3, 2017. New York based events and floral designer Jerry Sibal will be having his directorial debut with this opera. With Sibal also handling the set and costume design duties, it's been said that this production will feature the largest set that the CCP has ever had for an opera.

Three years after taking Manila by storm, Korean soprano Sumi Jo returns for a one night concert this February 7, 2017 at the Meralco Theater. She will be joined once again by collaborating pianist Najib Ismail. I have yet to see what she has in store for this evening but I'll be very pleased if she includes the Academy Award nominated Simple Song #3 in her song lineup.

These are just a few of what's on the horizon this 2017. More details about the concerts listed above and more will be coming in future blog posts. I'll also document in here what I've been listening, watching, reading, learning and playing at the moment. By sharing my experiences and ongoing journey in the world of classical music, I hope that I'll be able to entice more people to watch classical music performances in here.

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra and Orchestra of Filipino Youth in joint concert and conference

April 30, 2015, 6:00 PM

Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)

Cultural Center of the Philippines

CCP Complex

Pasay, Metro Manila

Featuring:

Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz, piano

Chi-Ying Hung, piano

Brian Berino, piano

Thristan Mendoza, marimba

Jade Riccio, soprano

Malvin Beethoven Macasaet, tenor

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

Orchestra of the Filipino Youth

Olivier Ochanine, conductor

Gerard Salonga, conductor

The Cultural Center of the Philippines, ABS-CBN and First Philippine Holdings present the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth under the batons of Gerard Salonga and Olivier Ochanine in Ang Sistema, in a fund raising concert and conference, or a concerence on April 30, 2015, 6:00 PM at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). Guest artists include Filipino concert pianist Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz, Taiwanese pianist Chi-Ying Hung, NAMCYA 1^st Prize Winner in marimba Thristan 'Tum-Tum' Mendoza, soprano Jade Riccio, tenor Malvin Beethoven Macasaet, and 12-year-old pianist Brian Berino.

The conference part of the concerence will have annotations as well as question and answer segments conducted by Jamie Bernstein, director of the film documentary Crescendo: the Power of Music and the daughter of the legendary quintessential Artist Leonard Bernstein, and Tricia Tunstall, author of Changing Lives: Gustavo Dudamel, El Sistema, and the Transformative Power of Music. The concert portion will feature a vast array of works written by the great classical music masters from the 18^th Century to the present, from Ludwig van Beethoven to Leonard Bernstein, from traditional to popular.

This concerence will benefit Ang Misyon, Inc. (AMI) - the non-stock, non-profit mother foundation of Sistema for the Filipino Youth (SFY) and the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth (OFY). Inspired by the global phenomenon El Sistema, SFY is an after-school music program that offers children from deprived communities the opportunity to achieve their full musical potential through the Classical Music discipline, with the ultimate hope of creating a positive impact on their respective communities. The OFY is a donor-based youth orchestra comprised of fifty five of the SFY Scholars, handpicked from various ensembles that already exist, and are spread throughout the Philippines. AMI provides the Scholars with free music education, performance allowances, transportation assistance, meals, instruments, and uniforms. AMI was born to help eradicate poverty in the Philippines through social change, simultaneously enhancing the country’s identity by creating career paths in classical music orchestral performance and redeveloping its arts and culture scene.

Ticket prices:

P1000 Orchestra Center Prime

P800 Orchestra Center

P600 Orchestra Side

P300 Balcony I

P100 Balcony II

-50% student discount

-20% senior citizen discount

+applicable service charges

For inquiries:

CCP Box Office 832-3704

TicketWorld 891-9999

Music from Frozen and Tangled in ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra’s second Disney concert

November 8, 2014, 8:00 PM

November 9, 2014, 2:00 PM

Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)

CCP Complex

Pasay, Metro Manila

Led by the music from more recent animated features like Frozen and Tangled, the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra brings once again the timeless music of Disney in Tale as Old as Time this November 8, 2014, 8:00 PM and November 9, 2014, 2:00 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).

Last year’s concert Magical Music of Disney was purely an orchestral music affair (accompanied by video clips of Disney films) with the show’s host Nikki Gil performing a very special song number only at the very end. With Tale as Old as Time, the orchestra along with its principal conductor/music director Gerard Salonga will be joined by performers from the world of musical theater and more.

Announced performers include Karylle, Sam Concepcion, Morissette, Red Concepcion, Caisa Borromeo, Carla Guevara-Laforteza, Camille Santos, Julia Concio, Vocal Synergy, and with the special participation of Bituin Escalante. Jillian Ita-as and Antonio Ferrer (who was impressive in San Andres B.) join the cast after getting the thumbs up in their respective auditions.

Aside from Tangled and Frozen, with the latter film’s soundtrack topping the Billboard charts, the concert will also feature music from Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, The Princess and the Frog, The Jungle Book, Hercules, and more. An exclusive Disney animated short specifically prepared for the production will also be shown.

The big question for me is whether Gerard will dance again while conducting one of the up-tempo tunes in the concert. As always, one has to watch the concert to find out the answer.

Ticket prices:

P3500 Premium Orchestra Center

P2500 Regular Orchestra Center

P2000 Orchestra Side

P1500 Extreme Orchestra Side

P1000 Balcony I Center

P800 Balcony I Side

P500 Balcony II

For inquiries:

Karlo Cea 415-2272 local 2409, (0937) 410-3242

TicketWorld 891-9999

HKPO Cellist Richard Bamping returns for ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra concert

September 20, 2014, 8:00 PM

Francisco Santiago Hall

South Tower, BDO Corporate Center

Makati

Featuring:

Richard Bamping, cello

ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

Gerard Salonga, conductor

Programme:

Johannes Brahms Tragische Ouvertüre, Op. 81

Edward Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68

The ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra Spotlight Series’ final offering this year features the return of Richard Bamping, the Principal Cello of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, this September 20, 2014, 8:00 PM at the Francisco Santiago Hall at the BDO Corporate Center in Makati.

Richard Bamping joins the orchestra and its principal conductor/music director Gerard Salonga in a performance of Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85, one of the most performed cello concertos ever. Two of Johannes Brahms works, Tragische Ouvertüre, Op. 81 and Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 will also be performed on this night as well.

Richard plays with a cello made by Andrea Guarneri from year 1674, one of the only eight surviving of his work. And it will be fascinating to hear how this priceless instrument sounds when he plays the Elgar Cello Concerto.

Cellist Richard Bamping

In an e-mail interview, I was able to ask Richard a few questions about the concerto he is scheduled to perform.

I was able to see you back in 2010 when you performed Dvořák's Cello Concerto with FILharmoniKA. What were your memories regarding that concert? And what are you looking forward to in your return performance in Manila?

What I remember from my last visit to Manila was really dedicated music making from a bunch of really friendly people! As a musician who is still a music lover, this is an ideal recipe from which to create a tasty dish! I can't wait to hear what we can cook up this time...

What can you say about Elgar's Cello Concerto? What makes this piece very special and what does it mean to you?

The Elgar concerto is very special to me in that it was the piece of music which made me want to play the cello when I was 6 years old.  It was Jacqueline du Pré’s recording which I heard on my 6th Birthday and I begged my parents for a whole year to buy me a cello which I got for my 7th Birthday.

This piece has long been associated with THE Jacqueline du Pré. How does a cellist approach this piece knowing that it could possibly be measured against du Pré's definitive performance?

I LOVE Jacquie's recordings of the Elgar, but I don't really see any recording or performance as definitive. Great music is by its own durability going to be interpreted many times by many people.  For instance, Jacquie takes many famous liberties with tempi and rubato where Elgar specifically asks for something else. In fact it’s very interesting to learn the concerto from an academic standpoint. Elgar was an amazingly accurate composer who notated every tiny detail of interpretation in his music. Often, when one listens to Elgar one thinks it is one gigantic piece of romantic rubato but to see it written down, you realise that he had an idea for every micro second of the piece. It’s almost like Mahler or Stravinsky in this respect.  I've been living with this piece for the past 35 years - I definitely have something to say about it :)

I learned from Gerard Salonga that the Elgar Cello Concerto was the first item to be programmed for this concert. And rather than frame it, he chose pieces that would offer the biggest sense of resolution at the end of the concert. Hence, by the last movement of Brahms Symphony No. 1, Gerard hopes that the first time the orchestra plays the theme in C major, everyone (orchestra and the audience) will be hit by an overwhelming feeling of joy (pun intended by Gerard).

The Spotlight Series is the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra’s chain of concerts highlighting masterpieces from world renowned composers, performers and music masters.

Ticket Prices:

P1200 Orchestra Premium

P1000 Orchestra Regular

P600 Balcony

For inquiries:

Karlo Cea 415-2272 local 2409, (0937) 410-3242

TicketWorld 891-9999