PPO's jampacked send off concert previews UK tour

Maestro Grzegorz Nowak and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra gave a sneak peek of their upcoming UK tour program during a send-off concert that was recently held at the Metropolitan Theater.

Clocking over two and a half hours and featuring two soloists and two full symphonies(!), the concert was definitely stacked. Consider also the orchestra had having to adjust rehearsal schedules in order to play, on short notice, at the Necrological Service of National Artist Nora Aunor just a couple of days prior to the send-off concert date. But the PPO, under the baton of Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, managed to pull it off and showing that the orchestra is more than ready for its 9 stop UK tour scheduled for May 13-24, 2025.

Mark Bebbington, CCP President Kaye C. Tinga, and Diomedes Saraza, Jr.

The concert started with the Nimrod from Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 or more popularly known as the Enigma Variations". Quite a somber beginning since a bombastic overture typically opens a performance.

Mark Bebbington

Mark Bebbington gave what is believed to be the Philippine premiere of the revised, one movement version of Frederick Delius' Piano Concerto in C minor. He mentioned at the press conference prior to the concert that he's excited to perform this piece on tour especially at the penultimate stop in Bradford where Delius was born. Bebbington then evoked the captivating flow of the tides in his encore, The Island Spell from John Ireland's trio of piano miniaures Decorations.

The last time the PPO performed Felix Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op.90 "Italian" back in October 2023, Nowak conducted the orchestra almost to the point of exhaustion as he steered the finale at such a frantic pace. But this time, the PPO was up to the task and confidently looked to have enough gas for yet another symphony later in the program.

The second half began with Il Maestro di Cappella by the PPO's Composer-in-Residence Jeffrey Ching. This work, that will serve as an opener in each of the concerts at the tour,  displayed some bits of humor, especially from Nowak who conducted the orchestra as if directing traffic on a busy intersection.

Diomedes Saraza, Jr.

PPO Concertmaster and Artist-in-Residence Diomedes Saraza, Jr. then gave a performance of Ralph Vaughan William's The Lark Ascending less than two months since his last take on the same piece back in March. A pastoral romance that evoked peace and calm, Saraza Jr. exhibited the restraint that is demanded with this piece. Audience members who yearned for more fireworks from him got their wish though with Saraza Jr.'s own take on the folk song Magtanim ay 'Di Biro that had a healthy dose of his contemporary leanings.

The concert wrapped up with the very popular Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 by Ludwig van Beethoven. By this time, the send-off concert felt bogged down by its length. But the PPO's unwavering endurance coupled with the popularity of the piece managed to close out the concert on a high note.

Diomedes Saraza, Jr. and Mark Bebbington

With the send-off concert in the bag, the PPO is now ready to depart to the UK. It's remarkable to think that the opportunity for the PPO to do a UK tour only happened after the Buenos Aires Symphony Orchestra of Colón Opera had to cancel its due to the economic situation in Argentina. By that time, the concert program have already been set and Nowak managed to have some tweaks like the inclusion of Ching's new work. Also joining the tour is cellist Wen-Sinn Yang who was the guest soloist during the PPO's October 2023 concert.

Wen-Sinn Yang and Grzegorz Nowak from October 2023

Listed below are the dates, venues, and respective programs of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra's UK Tour.

May 13, 2025

Bristol Beacon

Wen-Sinn Yang, cello

Diomedes Saraza Jr., violin

Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Jeffrey Ching Il Maestro di Cappella

Felix Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op.90 "Italian"

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33

Ralph Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending

Georges Bizet Carmen Suite No. 1

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Suite

May 14, 2025

Cadogan Hall London

Wen-Sinn Yang, cello

Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Jeffrey Ching Il Maestro di Cappella

Felix Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op.90 "Italian"

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33

Edward Elgar Nimrod from Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 "Enigma Variations"

Georges Bizet Carmen Suite No. 1

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Suite

May 15, 2025

Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Wen-Sinn Yang, cello

Diomedes Saraza Jr., violin

Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Georges Bizet Carmen Suite No. 1

Ralph Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Suite

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33

Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67

Jeffrey Ching Il Maestro di Cappella

May 16, 2025

G Live, Guildford

Mark Bebbington, piano

Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Jeffrey Ching Il Maestro di Cappella

Felix Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op.90 "Italian"

Frederick Delius Piano Concerto in C minor

Edward Elgar Nimrod from Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 "Enigma Variations"

Georges Bizet Carmen Suite No. 1

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Suite

May 18, 2025

Theatre Royal, Norwich

Mark Bebbington, piano

Diomedes Saraza Jr,. violin

Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Jeffrey Ching Il Maestro di Cappella

Georges Bizet Carmen Suite No. 1

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Suite

Frederick Delius Piano Concerto in C minor

Ralph Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending

Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67

May 19, 2025

Bridegwater Hall, Manchester

Wen-Sinn Yang, cello

Grzegorg Nowak, conductor

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Jeffrey Ching Il Maestro di Cappella

Felix Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op.90 "Italian"

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33

Edward Elgar Nimrod from Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 "Enigma Variations"

Georges Bizet Carmen Suite No. 1

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Suite

May 21, 2025

City Hall, Sheffield

Wen-Sinn Yang, cello

Grzegorg Nowak, conductor

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Jeffrey Ching Il Maestro di Cappella

Georges Bizet Carmen Suite No. 1

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Suite

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33

Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67

May 22, 2025

St. George's Hall, Bradford

Mark Bebbington, piano

Diomedes Saraza Jr., violin

Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Jeffrey Ching Il Maestro di Cappella

Georges Bizet Carmen Suite No. 1

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Suite

Frederick Delius Piano Concerto in C minor

Ralph Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending

Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67

May 24, 2025

Perth Festival, Scotland

Wen-Sinn Yang, cello

Diomedes Saraza Jr., violin

Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Jeffrey Ching Il Maestro di Cappella

Georges Bizet Carmen Suite No. 1

Ralph Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Suite

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33

Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67

PPO III: Fukumura Conducts Brahms

Yoshikazu Fukumura conducts the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Featuring:

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Yoshikazu Fukumura, conductor

Programme:

Ludwig van Beethoven Overture from Creatures of Prometheus, Op. 43

Frederick Delius Irmelin Prelude

Zoltán Kodály Dances of Galánta

Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra welcomed Japanese Yoshikazu Fukumura who was their guest conductor during the third concert for their 30^th Season Milestones at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). For this concert billed as Fukumura Conducts Brahms, the PPO presented the music of concert staples Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms alongside Frederick Delius and Zoltán Kodály whose works aren’t as often played here in the Philippines.

The opening piece, Beethoven’s Overture to Creatures of Prometheus, Op. 43 seemed to be a late addition to the program since there wasn’t any mention of it prior to the concert. Nonetheless, I am always for having additional pieces at a concert no matter how unfamiliar they may be. I’ve only heard this once before when the Manila Symphony Orchestra under Alexander Vikulov played it during their  Beethoven Lives! concert. Unfortunately, I’ve already forgotten everything about the piece. Nevertheless, the PPO’s performance of this piece served as my introduction to Fukumura and a reintroduction to the overture. Frederick Delius’ Irmelin Prelude was the next piece to be played. I liked the simple rising melody that was presented beautifully throughout this dreamy and tranquil piece which I think is an elegant showcase for the winds section. Rounding up the first half of the concert was Zoltán Kodály’s Dances of Galanta. The programme notes said that this was taken from the style of dances called verbunkos. It was meant to entice potential recruits into enlisting but that gave me no idea on how it sounds like. Based on the PPO’s performance, I heard a piece that had alternating tempo, with fast movements briefly interrupted by a recap of earlier themes before ending in a brisk and intense finish. How this type of music could convince anyone from enlisting has me bewildered. It was during this time when I noticed something very peculiar regarding Fukumura’s conducting which I will explain later.

Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 2 which made up the entire second half of the concert was the most awaited piece of the concert for me and probably for many. In this symphony, Fukumura was able to show the contrast between the first and second halves of the symphony. The first half was dark and somber, evoking the mood of Brahms’ Symphony No.1. The second half was noticeably cheerful and bright leading many to think that this was Brahms’ pastoral symphony. This Brahms by Fukumura and the PPO was a vast improvement over the Brahms 1 that the orchestra did almost three years ago. And some even felt that this was the best Brahms 2 that the orchestra has ever played. But I still have to say the listening to the very horn section felt like watching a tight rope act fearing that something terribly wrong might happen.

Like what I’ve mentioned earlier, Fukumura had a very peculiar and amusing way of conducting. He seemed to be out of sorts, as if he was intoxicated, but someone from the orchestra told me that even during rehearsals, he was already like that. While he moved quite oddly, the sound he was able to produce from the orchestra was nonetheless superb especially the Brahms. Not so superb was the disappointment that many felt after the concert since Fukumura opted not to have the usual meet and greet citing tiredness.

Text by RAd
Photo by Kiko Cabuena

Japan’s Yoshikazu Fukumura conducts the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor Yoshikazu Fukumura

November 16, 2012, 8:00 PM
Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
CCP Complex
Pasay, Metro Manila

Featuring:

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Yoshikazu Fukumura, conductor

Programme:

Frederick Delius Irmelin Prelude

Zoltán Kodály Dances of Galánta

Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73

Renowned Japanese conductor Yoshikazu Fukumura takes over the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra for their third concert of their 30^th Season called Milestones happening on November 16, 2012, 8:00 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). The programme for this evening will consist of Frederick Delius’ Irmelin Prelude, Zoltán Kodály’s Dances of Galánta, and Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73.

According to the press release, Yoshikazu Fukumura is recognized as one of the most famous maestros in Japan. He was also the former music director of the Tokyo Ballet, Kyoto Municipal Symphony, and Nagoya Philharmonic and has also conducted the Japan Philharmonic, New Japan Philharmonic, Tokyo Symphony, Tokyo Philharmonic, Yomiuri Japan Symphony, Osaka Philharmonic, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony, Gunma Symphony, Sapporo Symphony, and Kyushu Symphony. He was assigned as the first chief conductor of ASEAN Symphony Orchestra consisting of 80 musicians carefully selected from some of the ASEAN countries, at the 17th ASEAN Summit in Hanoi on October 2010 as supported by the Nippon Foundation.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

For this concert, it's only the Brahms piece that I am familiar with. Brahms will be a much featured composer for this season as the PPO has recently recorded Brahms' Symphony No. 4 for an album which will be released in time for the orchestra's 40^th anniversary. The orchestra performed Brahms Symphony No. 1 back in early 2010. It remains to be seen if they will be completing the Brahms cycle in the future seasons.

Ticket prices:

P1000 Orchestra Center

P800 Orchestra Side

P500 Balcony I Center

P350 Balcony I Side

P200 Balcony II

-50% student discount

-20% senior citizen discount

For inquiries:

CCP Marketing Department 832-1125 loc. 1806

CCP Box Office 832-3704

Ticketworld 891-9999