Clarinetist Herald Sison, pianist Dingdong Fiel reunite in recital at Manila Pianos

Clarinetist Herald Sison and pianist Dingdong Fiel teams up once again for Manila Pianos Artist Series' The Romantic Clarinet happening on January 29, 2023, 6:00 PM at the Manila Pianos Showroom located at the Paseo de Magallanes, Makati.

The two first paired up back in 2022 in Manila Pianos Artist Series' Beginnings which was shown online. For their return engagement, the two will perform Johannes Brahms' Clarinet Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 120 No 2 and Carl Maria von Weber's Grand Duo Concertant, Opus 48, J204.

Tickets are priced at P800. Discounted tickets at P500 are available for seniors, PWDs, students, and teachers. Reservations can be made via GCash payment to 0917-4158876 under the name of Richard S. After paying, send confirmation, along with payer's name and number of tickets to the same number. Reserved tickets can be claimed at the gate on the day of the performance.

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.

Fukumura, PPO raise Brahms 2nd Symphony up a notch in latest concert

Yoshikazu Fukumura and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

An evening of comfortable viewing was what the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra's most recent concert delivered despite principal conductor and music director Yoshikazu Fukumura having to resort to plan B and stepping in to lead the orchestra himself due to unforeseen circumstances with the previously announced guest conductor/pianist who is unable to perform in the country

The program for that night, made up of German Romanticism with Carl Maria von Weber’s Overture to Der Freischütz, Op. 77, J. 277 and Johannes Brahms' Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 sandwiching the Viennese Classical of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 39 in E flat major, K. 543 is drastically different from the initial lineup. While these changes lessened the excitement for me, Fukumura more than made up for it by managing to raise the level of the PPO on this night.

When the updated program was released, I wondered why he chose to do the Brahms second symphony again and not another one that he is yet to conduct with the PPO. I suspect that he went back to this, as well as the Weber overture, since they are comfortable and do not really pose a challenge to him considering the circumstances that led him to conduct at this concert. So the resulting performance was pure pleasure to the ears. His first ever collaboration with the PPO was conducting this particular Brahms symphony while he was still a guest conductor and it earned him a very good impression on me. May I add that this Brahms 2 was an improvement over the previous one, with the chemistry between Fukumura and the orchestra more evident. The PPO thankfully have redeemed themselves from the uncomfortable experience I've had during the last time I saw them.

Lastly, I cannot recall the last time that I applauded a horn player so enthusiastically. This makes me hopeful that she gets to do the solo in the next concert that has one of the most exquisite horn solos in the repertoire.

Fukumura conducts Mozart and Brahms symphonies for PPO’s February concert

Conductor Yoshikazu Fukumura

Major changes have come to the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s next concert happening on February 8, 2019 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo) as Music Director/Principal Conductor now takes over conducting duties with a music lineup consisting of works by Carl Maria von Weber, Wofgang Amadeus Mozart, and Johannes Brahms.

When the 36th concert season was initially announced, the February concert originally featured Hungarian pianist and conductor Tamás Vásáry through the auspices of the Embassy of Hungary in the Philippines in what is geared to be a major music event for the year. But due to unforeseen circumstances, Vásáry is unable to perform in the country. That concert’s lineup would’ve included Frédéric Chopin’s Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante in E-flat major, Op. 22, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 39 in E flat major, K. 543, and Zoltán Kodály’s Variations on a Hungarian Folksong, "The Peacock".

The updated program retains the Mozart symphony while Carl Maria von Weber’s Overture to Der Freischütz, Op. 77, J. 277 and Johannes Brahms' Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 replace the other pieces with Fukumura now leading the orchestra.

Interesting to note that this will be Fukumura’s second time to conduct Brahms second symphony with the PPO with the first happening way back in November 2012 during his first guest conducting stint with the orchestra..

I would've preferred to have Fukumura programmed the fourth instead since that remains the only symphony of Brahms that he has yet to conduct with the PPO. He was scheduled to conduct it back in March 2018 but wasn’t able to due to unforeseen circumstances. Time will tell if Fukumura will be able to complete the Brahms symphony cycle with the PPO. But for now, better enjoy what Fukumura has in store for February.

Clarinetist Andrew Simon takes spotlight in ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra concert

July 24, 2014, 7:30 PM

Meralco Theater

Ortigas Avenue

Pasig City

Featuring:

Andrew Simon, clarinet

ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

Gerard Salonga, conductor

Programme:

Carl Maria von Weber

     Overture from Oberon

     Concertino in E flat major, Op. 26

Felix Mendelssohn Overture from The Hebrides, Op. 26 Fingal’s Cave

Heinrich Baermann Adagio for Clarinet and Orchestra

Maurice Ravel Pavane pour une infante défunte

Claude Debussy Première rhapsodie

Aaron Copland Clarinet Concerto

Leonard Bernstein Three Dance Episodes from On the Town

After the success of the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra’s inaugural Spotlight Series featuring Ryan Cayabyab, the orchestra follows it up with a concert highlighting the clarinet happening this July 24, 2014, 7:30 PM at the Meralco Theatre. Joining the orchestra and its music director and principal conductor Gerard Salonga is guest artist Andrew Simon, the Principal Clarinet of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.

The first classical concert for the year by the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, the evening will feature pieces written specifically for the clarinet like Carl Maria von Weber’s Concertino in E flat major, Op. 26, Heinrich Baermann’s Adagio for Clarinet and Orchestra, Claude Debussy’s Première rhapsodie and Aaron Copland’s Clarinet Concerto. Other pieces to be performed on that night will be overtures from Weber’s Oberon and Felix Mendelssohn’s The Hebrides. Maurice Ravel’s Pavane pour une infante défunte and Leonard Bernstein’s Three Dance Episodes from On the Town complete the evening’s music lineup.

Clarinetist Andrew Simon

Andrew Simon, a graduate of the Juilliard School, serves on the faculties of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Baptist University. He has collaborated with conductors such as Yuri Simonov, Matthias Bamert, Alexander Lazarev, Donald Johanos, Diego Masson, Alexander Rahbari, and Marin Alsop.

For all of Andrew Simon’s accomplishments, one that really stands out for me is his non-musical claim to fame which is playing and eventually losing a tennis match against the temperamental John McEnroe. He may have lost that match but I’m pretty sure he is set to win hearts when the spotlight shines upon him and his clarinet.

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 Center

P1000 Orchestra Side

P500 Loge 

P400 Balcony

-50% student discount

-20% senior citizen discount

For inquiries:

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

TicketWorld 891-9999

MCO Foundation Great Performances Series 2013: Albert Tiu and Marcel Luxen

Pianist Albert Tiu and clarinetist Marcel Luxen

Featuring:

Albert Tiu, piano

Marcel Luxen, clarinet

Programme:

Robert Schumann Fantasiestücke, Op. 73 for Clarinet and Piano

Johannes Brahms Sonata for Clarinet and Piano No. 1 in F minor, Op. 120

Carl Maria von Weber Grand Duo Concertant in E flat major, Op. 48

Johannes Brahms Sonata for Clarinet and Piano No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 120

The MCO Foundation opened its Great Performances Series 2013 with an intimate night of chamber music featuring pianist Albert Tiu and Belgian clarinetist Marcel Luxen at the Ayala Museum. It’s not very often that a foreign clarinetist gets to play in here so I made sure to see this performance. I am very interested to hear clarinet performances since I do own a clarinet although I play it badly. Fortunately, the Luxen played the clarinet magnificently that night.

The duo started with Robert Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, Op. 73 for Clarinet and Piano. The uncooperative weather almost made me arrive late but I managed to make it just in the nick of time, and this short, lyrical three-movement piece helped me settle into the night quickly. I found the piece very uplifting giving no hint whatsoever to the upcoming madness that would plague Schumann later in his life. The piano part in this piece was relegated more to a supporting role unlike the Gran Duo Concertant in E flat major, Op. 48 by Carl Maria von Weber which started the second half of the concert. In this piece, the pianist was equal in spotlight and virtuosity giving Albert Tiu moments to shine. Both halves of the concert concluded with the clarinet sonatas by Johannes Brahms. The Sonata for Clarinet and Piano No. 1 in F minor, Op. 120 ended the first half while No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 120 rounded up the concert entirely. Both of these sonatas were among Brahms’ latter works after he came out of retirement. These two pieces are very somber in nature, autumnal and very introspective which is very fitting for an intimate night of chamber music. I’ve always associated the clarinet as a very jolly sounding music instrument and I am glad that I was able to hear a different and more serious side to it courtesy of Marcel Luxen and Albert Tiu.

Marcel Luxen, RAd and Albert Tiu

The Masterclass

The following day, Albert Tiu and Marcel Luxen both conducted masterclasses at the Amorsolo Room of the Ayala Museum. I’ve seen Albert Tiu perform numerous times before buta this was just the first time I’ve seen him conduct a masterclass. It was very interesting how he gave particular attention to harmonies and cadences in the pieces played by the participants. Knowing cadences, their character and their place in the music can aid a pianist in giving the  piece a more distinct shape and defined arc. I reckoned that some of the participants felt some pressure to brush up on their music theory after the masterclass. During the second session, I tried listening to Marcel Luxen as he instructed the participants but it was difficult for me to hear what he was saying. I only soaked in the sound coming from the clarinets (his and those of the participants) which were a lot better than the sound that would normally come out from mine. It made me accept once again that I am just resigned to listen to the clarinet and not play it.

Afterwards, I had the pleasure of joining Albert and Marcel, along with the MCO Foundation, for dinner. I was a bit hesitant at first to ask them questions but I managed to throw in a few after a bottle of beer. It led to a very fascinating discussion with topics ranging from PSY’s Gangnam Style, Luxen’s dislike of Pierre Boulez’ music, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Nodame Cantabile and how classical music can survive and contemporary music can break through in this era with the internet being a major factor in our daily lives. Luxen summed it up by saying that he doesn’t know if there will be a new orchestral work that will take the music world by storm just like the old days. The future of music is still one great unknown and we'll only see it as it happens.

I thought that watching the concert by Albert Tiu and Marcel Luxen would just be enough but I’ve had the opportunity to hang out with them and know more about their thoughts and opinions regarding various topics in and out of music. Thanks to MCO Foundation for the opportunity. Do watch out for the next Great Performances Series 2013 this July 27, 2013 at the Ayala Museum featuring pianist Claudia Yang.

Text by RAd

Photos by Ruth Medel

Pianist Albert Tiu and clarinetist Marcel Luxen open MCO Foundation’s Great Performances Series 2013

June 1, 2013, 7:00 PM

Ayala Museum

Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street

Greenbelt Park, Makati

Featuring:

Albert Tiu, piano

Marcel Luxen, clarinet

Programme:

Johannes Brahms

     Sonata for Clarinet and Piano No. 1 in F minor, Op. 120

     Sonata for Clarinet and Piano No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 120

Robert Schumann Fantasiestücke, Op. 73 for Clarinet and Piano

Carl Maria von Weber Grand Duo Concertant in E flat major, Op. 48

The MCO Foundation, now on its 28^th Season, opens its Great Performances Series 2013 with pianist Albert Tiu and clarinetist Marcel Luxen performing this June 1, 2013, 7:00 PM at the Ayala Museum.

Pianist Albert Tiu

Albert Tiu returns to the country for this engagement following his performance with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra as a late replacement last February. If I’m not mistaken, this will be Marcel Luxen’s first trip to the country. Hailing from Belgium, Luxen is a prize winner at the Masterplayers International Music Competition, Lugano and the Brussels International Clarinet Competition. He has already played at Musikverein, Concertgebouw, Salle Pleyel, Royal Albert Hall, Suntory Hall, Palais des Beaux-Arts, and Avery Fisher Hall. Additionally, he has been featured as soloist with the Belgium Radio Television Orchestra, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Camerata Leodiensis, Euregio Orchester, and the Orchestre de Chambre de Wallonie. He has also worked with renowned conductors and musicians such as Claudio Abbado, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Leonard Bernstein, Daniel Blumenthal, Maurice Bourgue, Antal Dorati, Lorin Maazel, Qin Li-Wei, and Ronald van Spaendonck.

This concert by Albert Tiu and Marcel Luxen will feature both of Johannes Brahms’s Clarinet Sonatas, Op. 120, Robert Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, Op. 73 and Carl Maria von Weber’s Grand Duo Concertant in E flat major, Op. 48.

Ticket prices:

P1000 Center

P600 Side

For inquiries:

MCOF 750-0768, (0920) 954-0053

COEA 782-7164, (0918) 347-3027

TicketWorld 891-9999

Tiu and Luxen to hold masterclasses at the Ayala Museum

Clarinetist Marcel Luxen

June 2, 2013, 10:30 AM Piano masterclass

June 2, 2013, 2:00 PM Clarinet masterclass

Ayala Museum

Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street

Greenbelt Park, Makati

The day after the concert, Albert Tiu and Marcel Luxen will conduct masterclasses as well. Albert Tiu’s piano masterclass starts at 10:30 AM while Marcel Luxen’s clarinet masterclass starts at 2:00 PM. Both masterclasses will run for three hours and will be held at the Ayala Museum also.

Interested participants for the masterclass must inform the MCO Foundation before May 15, 2013 by contacting 750-0768, (0920) 954-0053 or sending an e-mail to josephuy2004@yahoo.com. The general public is welcome to observe the masterclass for free.

The concert and the masterclass are made possible with our co-presentor the Ayala Museum with partners Lyric Piano and Organ, BusinessWorld, Highlife, HerWord.com, Titiana Wines Cellar and DZFE.FM The Masters' Touch.

Ticket price:

Free admission for observers

For inquiries:

MCO Foundation 750-0768, (0920) 954-0053, josephuy2004@yahoo.com