MANILA, Philippines—Celebrate the festive season with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra as they present their fourth concert of the 39th Concert Season, titled “Switch,” on December 8, 2023, at 7:30 pm, hosted at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.
Named “Ode to Joy,” the Concert IV program showcases Franz Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in A Major and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 in D minor, led by PPO music director and principal conductor Maestro Grzegorz Nowak.
Image Courtesy of Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.
Distinguished pianist and former CCP president Raul Sunico will be featured, performing Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in A Major—a dazzling piece emphasizing the composer’s innovative piano techniques and seamless integration of solo and orchestral elements.
Image Courtesy of Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.
Recognized for his “unusual gifts of lyricism and poetry,” Sunico boasts an international career as a concert pianist, orchestral soloist, and composer-arranger of Philippine music. A TOYM Awardee for Music in 1986, Sunico extends his impact beyond performance, actively contributing to music education as an advocate, textbook author, and former dean of the UST Conservatory of Music.
Experience the grandeur of Beethoven’s monumental Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 in D minor, featuring guest performers Byeong-In Park, Krissan Manikan-Tan, Rachelle Gerodias, and Arthur Espiritu.
Images Courtesy of Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.
Beethoven’s renowned piece incorporates a vocal quartet and choir in the last movement, featuring the beloved “Ode to Joy.” The PPO rendition includes a 120-voice choir from the CMU Consortium of Voices, Eastern Chamber Singers, Ateneo Chamber Singers, Novo Concertante Manila, and Kammerchor Manila, led by chorus master and CCP trustee Jonathan Velasco.
Images Courtesy of Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.
A sought-after choral conductor and clinician, Velasco and his choirs have earned first prizes in major European choral competitions. Elected the first president of the Philippine Choral Directors Association in 2008, Velasco represents the Philippines at the Interkultur World Choir Council while currently conducting the Ateneo Chamber Singers.
Celebrating its 50th founding anniversary, the PPO stands as the country’s premier orchestra and a top musical ensemble in the Asia-Pacific region. Known for premiering Filipino compositions and featuring works by foreign composers not yet performed in the Philippines, the PPO actively promotes music appreciation through outreach concerts in schools, parishes, government agencies, and underserved communities.
For ticket inquiries, group discounts, and subscriptions, contact the CCP Box Office at (0931 033 0880) or email salesandpromotions@culturalcenter.gov.ph. Tickets are also available at TicketWorld (09175506997 / 09999545922) at https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph.
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