PHILIPPINE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA 39th Season – Concert IV “Ode to Joy”

PRESENTED BY:

The Cultural Center of the Philippines

DATE/ TIME/ VENUE:

December 8, 2023 | 7:30 PM

CCP @ the Samsung Performing Arts Theater

DESCRIPTION:

The 4^th concert in PPO’s 39^th Season highlights classical masterpieces from Franz Liszt and Ludwig van Beethoven, featuring a roster of renowned soloists under the baton of Maestro Grzegorz Nowak.

Renowned pianist and former CCP President Raul Sunico, lauded for his “unusual gifts of lyricism and poetry,” takes center stage with Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in A Major, a brilliant and virtuosic work that showcases Liszt’s innovative approach to the piano and his ability to blend solo and orchestral elements seamlessly. Sunico boasts an illustrious international career as a concert pianist, orchestral soloist, and composer-arranger of Philippine music.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 in D minor, famously known as the “Choral Symphony,” is a monumental work that marks a revolutionary milestone in classical music history. This symphony is celebrated for its groundbreaking use of a vocal quartet and choir in the final movement, featuring the iconic “Ode to Joy.” The PPO’s performance showcases a 120-voice choir, comprised of singers from the CMU Consortium of Voices, Eastern Cahmber Singers, Ateneo Chamber Singers, Novo Concertante Manila, and Kammerchor Manila, with Jonathan Velasco as choirmaster. Featured soloists, including tenor Arthur Espiritu, soprano Rachelle Gerodias, baritone Byeong In Park, and mezzo-soprano Krissan Manikan-Tan, add further brilliance to this exceptional performance.

Join us for an enchanting evening filled with the magic of classical masterpieces – an experience not to be missed!

TICKET INFORMATION:

 

Discounts:

50% for Students

20% for Senior Citizens, PWD, Government and Military Personnel, and Athletes

 

For ticket inquiries, group discounts, and subscriptions:

• Call the CCP Box Office at + 63 931 033 0880 or email

salesandpromotions@culturalcenter.gov.ph

• Got to TicketWorld at

https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/shows/show.aspx?sh=PPOCON423

 

 

THE JUNIOR PPO SUBSCRIBER PROGRAM:

Ignite your passion for music and seize this unique opportunity to connect with the country’s premier musical ensemble. Embark on a harmonious journey with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra as a JUNIOR PPO SUBSCRIBER!

Join us for a symphonic get-together! Register now through this link:

https://forms.gle/5YPD7LsCg5vZY7X8A

 

ABOUT THE PHILIPPINE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA:

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra is the country’s leading orchestra. It was established in 1973 as the CCP Philharmonic Orchestra, which was originally intended to accompany performing artists at the CCP Main Theater. In 1979, it was reorganized through the efforts of former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos together with Maestro Oscar C.  Yatco. The PPO has since collaborated with renowned Filipino and foreign artists either as soloists or conductors. It continues to promote music appreciation among Filipinos through its regional outreach concerts and workshops. The PPO is now headed by its new Music Director and Principal Conductor, Maestro Grzegorz Nowak. Coinciding with its 39th concert season, the PPO is also celebrating its 50th Anniversary.

 ABOUT THE CONDUCTOR:

GRZEGORZ NOWAK

Music Director and Principal Conductor

Renowned Polish conductor Grzegorz Nowak, the new Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, brings a wealth of experience from his roles, including Permanent Associate Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. Formerly the music director of the Polish National Opera in Warsaw (2017-2020) and conductor for orchestras across Poland, Germany, Switzerland, and the USA, Maestro Nowak’s international acclaim is underscored by over 80 award-winning and 5-star-rated CDs featuring orchestral music. His illustrious career, propelled by prestigious awards and performances alongside world-class soloists and singers, marks him as a sought-after and distinguished figure in the classical music realm.

 

ABOUT THE SOLOISTS:

Raul Sunico, piano

Renowned pianist Raul M. Sunico, celebrated for his “unusual gifts of lyricism and poetry,” boasts an illustrious international career as a concert pianist, orchestral soloist, and composer-arranger of Philippine music. A TOYM Awardee for Music in 1986, Sunico’s impact extends beyond performance; he is a music education advocate, textbook author, and former Dean of the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music. With unique distinctions like performing all four Rachmaninoff piano concertos in a single evening, Sunico continues to contribute significantly to the world of classical music.

 

 

 

 

Arthur Espiritu, tenor

Renowned tenor Arthur Espiritu has made a significant impact on the international opera scene with his beautiful lyric voice marked by agility and color. Praised for singing “superbly with beautiful legato, a regal tenor,” Espiritu has portrayed leading roles across prestigious venues. Winner of the 2009 George London Award, he continues to captivate audiences with his exceptional vocal artistry, studying with Dr. Robert C. White Jr. in New York and Dr. Raquel Cortina in New Orleans. His upcoming debuts in productions like Il Pirata, La Traviata, and Otello signify his ongoing contributions to the world of classical music.

Maria Rachelle Gerodias, soprano

With a career spanning three decades, soprano Maria Rachelle Gerodias is a luminary in Philippine opera and classical vocal performances. Recognized with awards such as the “Aliw Awards Hall of Fame” for Best Female Classical Performer, Gerodias has collaborated with renowned conductors and graced stages globally. Beyond her performances, she, along with her husband Byeong In Park, mentors aspiring singers at the Gerodias-Park Music Studio and founded the Rachelle Gerodias Music Foundation, providing scholarships for talented but underprivileged musicians.

 

 

 

Byeong In Park, baritone

International Korean baritone Byeong In Park, mentored by tenor Francisco Araiza in Stuttgart, Germany, is a distinguished opera performer. With a repertoire spanning prestigious European stages and roles like Germont in La Traviata, Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Ottokar in Freischutz, Mr. Park has made an indelible mark on the international opera scene. Returning to Asia in 2014, he debuted in Singapore and is now based in the Philippines, collaborating with leading orchestras and leaving a lasting impact on the local music scene.

 

 

 

Krissan Manikan-Tan, mezzo-soprano

Filipina mezzo-soprano Krissan Manikan-Tan has been praised for her captivating voice described as “thick, dense, and dramatic.” Trained at the Conservatoire à rayonnement régional de Paris, she emerged as a scholar of the French Embassy in Manila and Klassikal Music Foundation. Apart from her international solo recitals and opera performances, she actively contributes to the local music scene, serving as a dedicated music teacher and therapist at TCI Village Rehabilitation Center in Amadeo, Cavite.