Conductor Robert Rÿker joins Manila Symphony Orchestra for two night concert

September 21, 2012, 8:00 PM

Francisco Santiago Hall

South Tower, BDO Corporate Center

Makati

September 22, 2012, 8:00 PM

Philam Life Auditorium

UN Avenue, Manila

Featuring:
Manila Symphony Orchestra

Robert Rÿker, conductor

Programme:
Claude Debussy Prelude to an Afternoon of a Faun

Richard Strauss Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks, Op. 28

Igor Stravinsky Petrouchka

Alfred Reed El Camino Real

While the previous concert was postponed and eventually reduced to a one night affair due to the inclement weather, a return to normalcy will be very much appreciated as the Manila Symphony Orchestra welcomes guest conductor Robert Rÿker for a two night concert happening on September 21, 2012 at the Francisco Santiago Hall and September 22, 2012 at the Philam Life Auditorium. Both evenings will feature the same programme with music by Claude Debussy, Richard Strauss, Igor Stravinsky and Alfred Reed.

Conductor Robert Rÿker

Robert Rÿker, music director of the Tokyo Sinfonia, is no stranger to Manila as he was also the guest conductor of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra back in January 2011. Unfortunately, I was on a blogging hiatus at that time and wasn’t able to write about that concert. During that concert titled Character Portraits, he chose pieces that showed lots of personality and, um, character for lack of a better term. For his upcoming performance with the MSO, he also chose pieces of a similar vein: Claude Debussy’s Prelude to an Afternoon of a Faun, Richard Strauss’ Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks, Op. 28, Igor Stravinsky’s Suite from Petrouchka, and Alfred Reed’s El Camino Real: vibrant and colorful which either tell a story or evoke a particular atmosphere and mood.

The Debussy, Strauss and Stravinsky pieces are popular works that many people enjoy and it will be great to hear them especially Petrouchka which is a personal favorite. Reed’s El Camino Real is of particular interest for me since this is a piece of music composed after I was born. It’s always a welcome treat to hear more contemporary orchestral music performed live and I can’t wait to ask Mr. Rÿker his reasons why he chose to include this piece.

Ticket prices:

September 21, 2012

P1,000 Orchestra

P800 Balcony

September 22, 2012

P1000 Orchestra

P800 Orchestra Side

P600 Loge

For inquiries:

523-5712, 736-2717

sales@manilasymphony.com

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra announces 30th Season “Milestones”

Conductor Olivier Ochanine

Last concert season, Olivier Ochanine, music director and principal conductor of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra asked via facebook for music suggestions that the audience would want to hear the orchestra to play. I gave Olivier a few pieces of music that I hope that the PPO could play. Thankfully, when the PPO had its press conference for the upcoming 2012-2013 season I was relieved and excited to find out that one of my suggestions is still part of the season.

The upcoming concert season, entitled Milestones, does serve as a double milestone for the orchestra since not only are they having their 30^th concert season, but they will also celebrate their upcoming 40^th anniversary. And in line with this occasion, the PPO had a press conference over at the MKP Multi-Purpose Hall at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. During this event, Olivier announced an updated programme lineup for this season which reflected one of his observations regarding the PPO audience: that they have a desire to learn more. And I myself will learn more since the pieces that the orchestra will perform for the eight concerts this season are dominated by music that I don’t know at all. One such notable (and still unknown) piece is the new work by Ryan Cayabyab. I was disappointed when the new and commissioned work was scrapped from last seasons’ lineup but the inclusion of it for this season makes up for it big time considering that I’ve had the pleasure of working with/for Ryan Cayabyab just a few months ago.

The press conference also featured a short performance by some members of the PPO’s strings section which is already expected. One thing that I didn’t expect during that afternoon was the presence of other PPO members like violinist Joy Sababan and cellist Vicky Chang who have been with the orchestra for a long time. The veterans were joined by new members, trombonist Ricson Poonin and Joanna Ruth Livioco who is also the new Assistant Concertmaster. The four of them shared their experiences with the orchestra and what being a part of the PPO meant for them. I was amazed to know that Vicky Chang has been with the PPO for as long as I’ve lived. Joy Sababan also mentioned that getting rusty with his technique prompted him to return to the PPO after some years in a cruise ship. Joanna, on the other hand, said that she still continues to learn from the elder members of the orchestra. While young Ricson, so not used to speaking in front of an audience, probably has fulfilled the ambitions of his family and of everyone in his marching band when he finally made it to the PPO. It was a nice touch including these musicians at the press conference since it gave me a different perspective on PPO members.

PPO Musicians Joy Sababan, Ricson Poonin, Joanna Ruth Livioco and Vicky Chang

Back to the season’s programme, here is what people should expect for the PPO’s upcoming 30^th Season dubbed as Milestones. As always, programme and performers are subject to change. See you at the concerts!

September 21, 2012

Orchestral Fireworks

Featuring:

Olivier Ochanine, conductor

Programme:

Dmitri Shostakovich Suite for Variety Orchestra

Carl Nielsen Aladdin Suite FS 89

Sergei Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances, Op. 45

October 19, 2012

The Mysterious Mountain

Featuring:

Kurt Muroki, double bass

Olivier Ochanine, conductor

Programme:

Giovanni Bottesini Double Bass Concerto No. 2 in B minor

Sergei Prokofiev Lieutenant Kijé Suite

Alan Hovhaness Mysterious Mountain (Symphony No. 2), Op. 132

November 16, 2012

Fukumura Conducts Brahms

Featuring:

Yoshikazu Fukumura, conductor

Programme:

Frederick Delius Irmelin Prelude

Zoltán Kodály Dances of Galánta

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

December 14, 2012

De Leon and Arutiunian

Featuring:

Raymond de Leon, trumpet

Iñaki Etxepare, cello

Herminigildo Ranera, conductor 

Programme:

Bedřich Smetana Die Moldau (Vltava)

Édouard Lalo Cello Concerto in D minor
Alexander Arutiunian Trumpet Concerto in A flat major

Ferde Grofé The Grand Canyon Suite

January 25, 2013

Happy 40th, PPO!

Featuring:

Dino Decena, violin

Olivier Ochanine, conductor

Programme:

Richard Wagner Siegfried Idyll

Ryan Cayabyab New Work for Violin and Orchestra

Robert Schumann Symphony No. 1 in B flat major, Op. 38 Spring

February 22, 2013

Shakespearean Delights

Featuring:

Hyunah Yu, soprano

Tenor, to be announced

Olivier Ochanine, conductor

Programme:

Otto Nicolai Overture from the Merry Wives of Windsor

Felix Mendelssohn Suite to A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream

William Walton Suite to Henry V

Various Works for Soprano and Tenor based on Shakespeare

March 22, 2013

The Maestro’s Maestro

Featuring:

Gao Can, violin

Mark Gibson, conductor

Programme:

George Bizet Jeux d’enfants, Op. 22

Mauris Ravel Daphnis et Chloé

Camille Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor, Op. 61

April 26, 2013

Mahler’s Fifth

Featuring:

PPO Piano Competition winner, to be announced
Olivier Ochanine, conductor

Programme:

Piano Concerto, to be announced

Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 5

Wolfang Amadeus Mozart Overture from Così fan tutte, K.588

*Except for the September 21, 2012 concert, all other performances will be held at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

PPO opens 30th season with Orchestral Fireworks

September 21, 2012, 8:00 PM

Philam Life Auditorium

UN Avenue, Manila

Featuring:

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Olivier Ochanine, conductor

Programme:

Dmitri Shostakovich Suite for Variety Orchestra

Carl Nielsen Aladdin Suite FS 89

Sergei Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances, Op. 45

Thank goodness for Classical Champs: The Young Music Idols concert the month before, or else, I would’ve suffered major withdrawal symptoms for concerts by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. The first concert of the PPO’s 30^th season happening this September 21, 2012 at 8:00 PM is again an interesting one because the venue will be at the Philam Life Auditorium instead of the Cultural Center of the Philippine’s Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). The Phantom has taken over the CCP Main Theater, hence the change of location. But this is again very interesting since it’s another chance for me to hear the orchestra, now with Olivier Ochanine conducting them, play in this venue with superior acoustics. The last time that the orchestra played in this venue was during their February 2012 concert under a different conductor, so this is now the opportunity to hear how they would sound under Olivier.

The pieces to be performed are very distinct pieces that show a lot of character and personality. Dmitri Shostakovich’s Suite for Variety Orchestra used to be called the Jazz Suite although there’s nothing jazzy about marches, waltzes, polkas that characterize the short sections making up this fun piece. Carl Nielsen’s Aladdin Suite takes listeners to a journey to a different land. And Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances may not be fit for a dance floor but this piece is a culmination of his prior works. But what am I saying? The only piece in here that I’m familiar with is the one by Shostakovich. I think that the unifying theme of this season for me is that all, but one, of the pieces to be performed are unknown to me. But I’m grateful that here comes an opportunity for me to hear new pieces and expand my musical horizons.

Ticket prices:

P1000 Orchestra Center

P800 Orchestra Side

P500 Loge Center

P350 Loge Side

-50% student discount

-20% senior citizen discount

For inquiries:

CCP Marketing Department 832-1125 loc. 1806

CCP Box Office 832-3704

TicketWorld 891-9999

The Magic of John Williams

ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

Featuring:

ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

Gerard Salonga, conductor

Nikki Gil and Jose Mari Chan

There had been numerous occasions when I’ve imagined myself at a concert hall watching an actual orchestra perform a majestic, romantic and epic piece. But in reality, I was just inside a movie theater still savoring the lushly arranged score as the film’s end credits roll and most of the audience having already left the cinema. Thankfully, I need not imagine anymore as the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra performed movie themes by John Williams during the orchestra’s first solo, major concert The Magic of John Williams that was held at the Meralco Theater. The orchestra’s music director and principal conductor, Gerard Salonga explained that film music is a good way to introduce people to orchestra performances. And having this concert was also a good way to introduce the orchestra, the newest player in the scene, to the people.

Having a programme consisting solely of John Williams’ music was a good choice for the orchestra since his music is recognizable, familiar and very accessible to the everyday man. Also, John Williams also celebrated his 80^th birthday earlier this year so the timing couldn’t be any better. Speaking of timing, the concert opened with the 1984 Olympic Fanfare which was again very fitting since the 2012 London Olympics have just recently concluded.

The concert had movie themes for everyone. The young ones and the young at heart who grew up reading Harry Potter novels and then watching the movie versions were treated to music from the film. The orchestra’s wind section (flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon) was given the spotlight as they played the challenging Nimbus 2000 piece. Concertmaster Ralph Taylan was also given the chance to shine as he played the violin solo during the orchestra’s rendition of the hauntingly beautiful Schindler’s List Theme.

R2-D2

While John Williams may be responsible for scoring many blockbusters, he also had his share of scoring a box office flop. One such movie was Yes, Giorgio starring the late Luciano Pavarotti. Aside from the disastrous box office return and its famous lead star, not much else is remembered from the film, well except the music. Singers Jose Mari Chan and Nikki Gil sang If We Were In Love, which was probably the most memorable to come out from the film. Another not so well known John Williams piece that Gerard felt he had to include in the concert was The Mission which was the NBC Nightly News theme. It was really odd to hear a news theme being performed at a concert but it was a nice change of pace and the audience responded positively to it. After that, the music went on to outer space territory as the orchestra performed music from the movies Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. the Extra Terrestrial that closed out the first half of the concert.

The concert resumed with the orchestra playing the theme from Superman. After this piece, Gerard revealed a Superman shirt underneath his suit. But this shirt paled in comparison to Gerard Sison who watched the concert in complete Superman costume. Superman music would not be complete without the classic song Can You Read My Mind and Nikki Gil returned on stage to sing it. Her beautiful rendition of the song only made me set higher expectations for future Star Cinema productions especially with their movie theme songs now that they have an orchestra on hand.

Movies featuring creatures that devour people were featured next as the orchestra played the music from Jaws and Jurassic Park. It was very interesting that the music of Jaws went beyond those infamous two notes. I was very amused when I heard a pastoral theme and of all things, a fugue which doesn’t evoke an image of a great white shark terrorizing the sea at all. Then the theme from the Raiders of the Lost Ark was played as supposed to be the “last piece” for the night. But no one bought it of course since no concert featuring the music of John Williams would be complete without Star Wars. Such was the delight of the crowd hearing the Main Theme from Star Wars that they applauded with some giving the orchestra a standing ovation right after that movement was played. A very amused Gerard had to tell the audience that there were still two more movements left which were Leia’s Theme and the Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme).

Still, this wasn’t enough as the audience demanded for more. And instead of just more music, Darth Vader, Bobba Fett, C-3PO, R2-D2, Stormtroopers, Scouttroopers, Snowtroopers, etc. and a lone Jedi (members of the 501^st Legion and sister group Rebel Legion) joined the orchestra on stage as the Throne Room/End Title was performed. One particular Stormtrooper, former Sponge Cola drummer and now solo artist, Chris Cantada stole this particular part of the concert as he became part of the orchestra itself by playing the bass drum.

I asked Chris for a few words regarding this experience and here is what he had to say:

Chris Cantada (check out the Stormtrooper tattoo)

“I'm still pinching myself. It's always great when I get to mix my love for performing music and Star Wars. But this was unlike any other experience! I was freaking out with excitement and fear. Fear because they just informed me 2 hours before the actual show! I've never played in an orchestra, but I know it's a huge deal. I'm just glad I knew how to read drum notation so at least I could practice a bit before the performance. I can now say I was conducted by the man Gerard Salonga!”

Not many know about this, but I actually talked to Chris and Radio Republic’s Adrian Arcega, the Jedi, weeks ago when I was still deciding if I would volunteer or not in conducting the orchestra as they play Star Wars during the Kapamilya Concert. They were very instrumental in convincing myself to go for it. I told them that if Chris is a Stormtrooper and Adrian is a Jedi, then I will be John Williams. Telling them those words meant that there was no turning back for me and that I had to volunteer for real. Who knew that some weeks later, the two would also have their Star Wars moment with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra as well?

Darth Vader not pleased for RAd didn't know where the secret plans were

While the two and the rest of the Star Wars people on stage had an awesome experience, the rest of the audience also had an awesome time of their own as well. It was surprising and very exciting to see so many people whom I never see at classical music concerts, but I see elsewhere, who watched the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra had a very good start not only in establishing itself as one of the new orchestras in town but also in shattering the misconception that orchestra performances are only for the elite. Come on, who could ever accuse them of being elitist considering that Superman, Indiana Jones and a handful of Star Wars characters were among those who attended their concert?

The Magic of John Williams: The 2013 Repeat

Parokya ni Edgar Inuman Sessions Vol. 2 Press Conference

Parokya ni Edgar

For almost 20 years, the band Parokya ni Edgar has been dishing out some of the most hilarious and irreverently funny tracks and album titles in the Philippine music industry. The band, composed of Chito Miranda (vocals), Vinci Montaner (vocals), Buwi Meneses (bass guitar), Darius Semaña (lead guitar), Gab Chee Kee (rhythm guitar), and Dindin Moreno (drums), recently launched their latest offering Inuman Sessions Vol. 2, a live recording of their most popular hits. This album, released by Universal Records is the sequel to the successful Inuman Sessions Vol. 1 that came out eight years ago.

Parokya ni Edgar tapped their fans via their Facebook Fan Page and treated them to a night of music, drinking and the humor that only this band can deliver. Other high profile artists Gloc-9, Frank Magalona (son of the late Francis M), Miggy Chavez of Chicosci, Yeng Constantino, and Kamikazee joined the event as special guests. The show was recorded and was eventually released as Inuman Sessions Vol. 2. Chito Miranda said during a recent press conference at Universal Records that instead of a Greatest Hits album, they come up with Inuman Sessions instead. He knew that after Vol. 1, there had to be a Vol. 2 but it took them eight years to come up with it.

The band recently made the news when the album launch over Eastwood Central Plaza became an unprecedented success, with two thousand coming to the venue that could only hold  a thousand. And the signing session that happened afterwards stretched up to 2:30 AM to accommodate everyone who showed up. Retaining this level of success for almost two decades, one might think that all of the band members are getting wasted, enjoying a rock star’s lifestyle. But the band said that they’ve grown out of it considering that they’ve been rocking it out since they were about 17 years old. They now live in moderation with some already the head of their respective families.

Listening to (if one only has the CD) and watching the (if one has the DVD) Inuman Sessions Vol. 2 is definitely a lot of fun. It’s the next best thing if one can’t watch them perform live. For almost two decades, the band has stuck together although Vinci joked that he plans to go solo when asked what the band's grand plans are in celebration of their upcoming 20^th anniversary. Seriously, many bands have come and gone but Parokya ni Edgar is still standing strong. Chito said that the band doesn’t attempt to be poetic; they just want to have fun. I guess that’s the reason why the band has maintained its success for almost two decades. And I raise a glass to that.

Chito Miranda

The album is available in two physical formats, the CD only format and the DVD with bonus CD format. The carrier single Bagsakan featuring Frank Magalona and Gloc-9 and the rest of the album is also available in digital format at MyMusicStore Philippines.

Follow Parokya Ni Edgar:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/parokyaniedgarofficial
Twitter: http://twitter.com/parokyaniedgar

Inuman Sessions Vol. 2

Tracks:

1.  Mang Jose

2.  Sino Walang Alak?

3.  Para Sayo

4.  Papa Cologne

5.  Gitara

6.  Macho

7.  Akala

8.  Pakiusap Lang (Lasingin Nyo Ako)

9.  Pangarap Lang Kita feat. Yeng Constantino

10.  The Ordertaker feat. Kamikazee

11.  Shot!!!

12.  One Hit Combo feat. Gloc-9

13.  Bagsakan feat. Gloc-9 And Frank Magalona

14.  Alumni Homecoming

15.  Your Song (My One And Only You)

16.  Tatlong Araw

17.  The Yes Yes Show feat. Miggy Chavez of Chicosci