PHILIPPINE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA 39th Season – Concert VIII: “Fete Francaise”

PRESENTED BY:

The Cultural Center of the Philippines

 

DATE/ TIME/ VENUE:

April 19,2024 | 7:30 PM

CCP @ Samsung Performing Arts Theater

 

DESCRIPTION:

Indulge in the magic of live orchestral music as the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) concludes its 39th Concert Season with a flourish. Maestro Grzegorz Nowak conducts masterpieces by Lucrecia R. Kasilag (Violin Concerto no.1), Camille Saint-Saëns (Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso, op. 28), and Franz Schubert (Symphony no. 5, D.485, B-flat Major).

Renowned virtuoso violinist Diomedes Saraza Jr. will grace the stage as the soloist in the Kasilag and Saint-Saëns pieces, showcasing his unparalleled talent honed from a young age under his father’s guidance. With esteemed academic achievements and full scholarship from both Juilliard and Yale University, Saraza has garnered prestigious scholarships and accolades, including the esteemed Irene Diamond Graduate Fellowship. He is also the First Filipino recipient of the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for President Obama’s Education Awards Program.

From winning competitions to triumphant solo performances worldwide, including a memorable Carnegie Hall debut in 2016, Saraza’s artistry knows no bounds. Formerly the concertmaster of the Manila Symphony Orchestra, Saraza continues to inspire and captivate audiences globally.

Join us for this concert and be part of an unforgettable evening celebrating the culmination of an extraordinary season.

 

TICKET INFORMATION:

Ticket Prices: P3,000 | 2,500 | 2,000 | 1,500 | 800 | 500

 

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=PPOCON824

 

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 SOLOIST:

 

DIOMEDES SARAZA, JR.

Violin

 

Born in the Philippines, Mr. Saraza started playing the violin at the age of 3 with his father. His formal training started in St. Scholastica’s College Manila under the PREDIS program under Virna Valerio, Basilio Manalo, and Arturo Molina. Mr. Saraza received both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School. Granted a full scholarship in the prestigious institution, he studied with Stephen Clapp, Lewis Kaplan and Joseph Lin. There, he was the recipient of the Irene Diamond Graduate Fellowship, Ruth Katzman Scholarship, Juilliard Alumni scholarship and the C.V. Starr Scholarship. He was also accepted as a full scholar in Yale University to pursue a Master of Musical Arts degree under the tutelage of Prof. Hyo Kang. During his time in Yale, he received two prestigious awards from the school which is the Brodus Erle Prize 2016 and the Alumni Association Prize 2017. Outside music, Mr. Saraza was a recipient of President Obama’s Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for academic excellence.

 

Since winning first place at the National Music Competitions for Young Artists in 2002, Mr. Saraza has been concertizing and giving solo recitals at the age of 12. He has won first place in international competitions most notably is New York’s Friday-Woodmere Young Artist Competition and Associated Music Teacher’s League Competition. Mr. Saraza was accepted at the Perlman Music Program, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, and Bowdoin International Music Festival.

 

He performed solo internationally with different orchestras such as the Mannes Orchestra, New York Symphonic Arts Ensemble, the Sichuan Philharmonic Orchestra to name a few. In 2016, he had a successful Carnegie Hall solo debut with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. Mr.  Saraza’s extensive solo and chamber performances include prestigious venues that span from Philippines’ Cultural Center of the Philippines, New York’s Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, to Russia’s Tchaikovsky’s Concert Hall among others.

 

Mr. Saraza was the former concertmaster of the Manila Symphony Orchestra. He is also an active concert violinist, chamber musician, and avid educator. He has been a member of Sejong Soloists and had concert tours in Korea, Macau and Russia. His students have been accepted in international conservatories such as The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Hanns Eisler University Berlin, Yale University and Cleveland State University.

 

Currently, he is on a US tour with Steinway artist and FilAm Music Foundation founder Mr. Victor Asuncion.

 

*Dio plays on a 1972 French violin by Eugene Guinot and Renè Morel given by Standard Insurance Inc.