PPO in top form at 'fateful' concert

Jerome Rose and Grzegorz Nowak

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra reached a major turning point under music director/principal conductor Grzegorz Nowak after a stellar performance at its opening concert of the new year.

Performing Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15 with American pianist Jerome Rose as the featured soloist, the PPO overcame a sluggish start. But as the concerto progressed, the orchestra started to build momentum as if coaxed by the veteran Rose who tackled the war-horse piano concerto without breaking a sweat. Rose gave a restrained rendition, very calm and composed, and not resorting to distracting theatrics. And as he hit the keys signaling the start of the rondo, it's as if he has gained second wind and carried the orchestra with him.

Grzegorz Nowak and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

What cemented the PPO's return to top form was the stirring performance of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36. Right from the ominous fate motif that opened the piece, the PPO navigated the symphony with aplomb, showcasing the various themes with clarity, making the recurrence of the fate motif more compelling.

The pizzicato of the scherzo was a delight. And the rousing finale showed the PPO meeting the challenge posed by Nowak unlike in previous concerts when the orchestra felt like on the brink of bursting at the seams when pushed to the limits.

There was hardly anything to fault at the PPO's latest outing save for the acoustics of the Samsung Performing Arts Theater. The balance of the orchestra's sound varies wildly depending on one's seat. As much as one nitpicks the acoustics of the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Main Theater, one immediately longs to return to it once let down by how the Samsung Performing Arts Theater sounds.

Pianist Jerome Rose joins PPO in concert

A monumental and fateful night of music is in store at the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra's opening salvo for 2024 happening this January 12, 2024, 7:30 PM at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati.

In this concert billed as Fate, the PPO and principal conductor Grzegorz Nowak welcome American Jerome Rose, who is the night's featured pianist for Johannes Brahms' epic Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15. Also to be performed this evening is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36 which is usually dubbed as Fatum or Fate, hence the title of the concert.

Reprinted below is the press release for the upcoming concert.

ONE FATEFUL NIGHT WITH PPO

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) ushers the new year with an enticing evening spotlighting the brilliance of master composers Johannes Brahms and Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky for its “Fate” concert on January 12, 2024, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati.

In the fifth installment of its 39th concert season, dubbed Switch, the PPO will perform Brahms’s Piano Concerto no. 1, op. 15, D minor and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony no. 4, op.36, F minor, under the baton of PPO music director Maestro Grzegorz Nowak.

Known as Fatum (Fate), the featured Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece is a striking piece that reflects the emotional struggles of the composer. The symphony has a recurrent, distinctive motif and examines issues of fate. The orchestration and lyrical richness used by Tchaikovsky adds to the symphony's enduring appeal.

Jerome Rose 

For its fifth concert, pianist Jerome Rose will perform Brahm's masterpiece with a melancholic melody floating atop a gently rocking accompaniment that resembles river water. The piece documents Brahms's challenging years involving the influential composer and pianist Robert Schumann and his spouse, Clara.

One of the most renowned pianists in America and known as "the Last Romantic of his generation,” Rose began his international career in his 20s.

A gold medalist in the International Busoni Competition, the pianist has a long career spotlighted with his critical recordings on Medici Classics includes the Liszt Concerti with the Budapest Philharmonic, Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes, the Complete Schumann Sonatas, “Davidsbundlertanze,” and “Kreisleriana,” the Last Three Beethoven Sonatas, and the Complete Ballades and Fantasy of Chopin.

In addition, he also did the Schubert Posthumous Sonatas and Wanderer Fantasie; a Liszt album featuring the B minor Sonata, Don Juan Fantasy, and Mephisto Waltz; and a Brahms Recording of Sonata No. 3, and the Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel. Medici has also issued the re-release of Mr. Rose’s Prix du Disque recording of Liszt’s “Years of Pilgrimage.”

In 2015 a Liszt 40th Anniversary Collection was released in a 3 CD box set featuring some works not previously issued on CD. In 2017 the complete Chopin Sonatas, originally released on Sony, were re-issued on Medici Classics. In 2017 Medici also re-issued a CD recording of the “Moonlight,” “Pathétique,” and “Appassionata” Sonatas of Beethoven.

The country’s leading orchestra, the PPO has premiered Filipino compositions and has featured works by foreign composers not yet performed in the Philippines.

Grzegorz Nowak and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Continuing its goal to promote music appreciation, PPO is set to hold outreach concerts in Iloilo on January 19 and in Capiz on January 21.

For ticket inquiries, group discounts, and subscriptions contact the CCP Box Office at 0931 033 0880 or email at salesandpromotions@culturalcenter.gov.ph. You can purchase tickets at TicketWorld (09175506997 / 09999545922) at https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph.

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