PHILIPPINE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA “VERSATILE” – PPO 41 st Concert Season

PRESENTED BY:
The Cultural Center of the Philippines

DATE/TIME/VENUE:
September 2025 – April 2026 | 7:30 PM
CCP @ Metropolitan Theater
CCP @ Samsung Performing Arts Theater

DESCRIPTION:
The Cultural Center of the Philippines proudly presents the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) in VERSATILE, the 40th Concert Season of the country’s premier orchestra. Spanning eight concerts, this season features a bold, multi-faceted repertoire, ranging from the elegance of the Baroque and Classical masters, to the intensity of Romantic symphonies, and the thrill of contemporary world premieres of by celebrated Filipino composers.

Led by Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, the PPO’s Music Director and Principal Conductor, the season brings together a stellar lineup of Filipino and international soloists, including pianists Andrey Gugnin, Mark Bebbington, Szymon Nehring, and Junhee Kim; cellist Tomasz Strahl; sopranos Katarzyna Dondalska, Andion Fernandez, and Katerina Mina; and violinists Diomedes Saraza, Jr. and Bartek Niziol.

From timeless masterpieces to groundbreaking new works, VERSATILE captures the PPO’s energy, elegance, and expressive power, offering audiences a rich symphonic experience that celebrates the orchestra’s unmatched artistry and musical range. Prepare to be swept away by this breathtaking symphonic journey!

Season Highlights:
✓ Andrey Gugnin in Rachmaninov’s dazzling Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
✓ Mark Bebbington performing Beethoven’s mighty Emperor Concerto
✓ A festive Strauss-inspired holiday celebration with soprano Katarzyna Dondalska
✓ The world premiere of Mozart’s unfinished violin and piano concerto, masterfully completed by Jeffrey Ching
✓ A powerful finale dedicated to Shostakovich’s enduring works, led by violinist Diomedes Saraza Jr.

TICKET INFORMATION:

Call/text 09310330880 or TicketWorld at 09175506997 (Globe) / 09999545922 (Smart), or visit https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/

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

Subscription:
Email salesandpromotions@culturalcenter.gov.ph or call/text +639310330880

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.

ABOUT THE CONDUCTOR:

GRZEGORZ NOWAK
Music Director and Principal Conductor
Polish conductor Grzegorz Nowak is the new Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. A much-sought-after conductor with a long career in opera and concerts, Maestro Nowak is a highly-esteemed Permanent Associate Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. He was the music director of the Polish National Opera in Warsaw, Poland, from 2017 to 2020, and other orchestras in Poland, Germany, Switzerland, and the USA. For years, he was able to record orchestral music in over 80 CDs that have received awards and 5-star ratings.
Grzegorz Nowak’s career propelled to international level after he won various prestigious awards and prizes. He has performed alongside many of the most widely respected soloists of our time, including Martha Argerich, Yefim Bronfman, Nigel Kennedy, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Mstislav Rostropovich, Gil Shaham and Krystian Zimerman, and has worked with such singers as Janet Baker, Kathleen Battle, Marilyn Horne, Gwyneth Jones, Sherrill Milnes and Anja Silja.

PPO 41st SEASON REPERTOIRE:
CONCERT I – OUVERTURE
September 12,2025 | 7:30 PM | Metropolitan Theater
Antonin Dvořák Carnival Overture, op.92
Sergei Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43
Johannes Brahms Symphony no. 4, op.98, E minor
Andrey Gugnin, piano
Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

CONCERT II – LE RETOUR
September 19, 2025 | Samsung Performing Arts Theater
Georges Bizet Carmen Suite No. 1
Ralph Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending
Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Suite: Waltz
Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony no. 5, op.67, C minor
Diomedes Saraza Jr., violin
Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

CONCERT III – CONCERTO
October 17, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Metropolitan Theater
Jeffrey Ching Creation Fugue and Arctic Chase (from the opera, Frankenstein) – World Premiere
Robert Schumann Cello Concerto, op.129, A minor
Witold Lutosławski Concerto for Orchestra
Tomasz Strahl, cello
Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

CONCERT IV – VIRTUOSO
November 14, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Samsung Performing Arts Theater
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Don Giovanni Overture
Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor”
Modest Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition (arr. Gorchakov)
Mark Bebbington, piano
Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

SPECIAL CONCERT – JOYEUX NOEL
For the Benefit of The Brain Foundation of the Philippines
(Christmas / New Year / 200th Anniversary of Johann Strauss II)
December 5, 2025| 7:30 PM | Samsung Performing Arts Theater
Johann Strauss Jr. Die Fledermaus: Overture
Johann Strauss Jr. Die Fledermaus: Adele’s aria (Mein Herr Marquis)
Johann Strauss Jr. Annen-Polka, Op. 117
Carl Millöcker Der arme Jonathan: Ach, wir armen Primadonnen
Johann Strauss Jr. Der Zigeunerbaron (The Gypsy Baron) Overture
Jacques Offenbach Les contes d’Hoffmann: Olympia’s aria (Les oiseaux dans la charmille)
Johann Strauss Jr. Tritsch-Tratsch Polka, Op. 214
Arthur Sullivan The Pirates of Penzance: Poor Wandering One
Johann Strauss Jr. Unter Donner und Blitz Polka (Thunder and Lightning), Op. 324
Krzesimir Dębski With Fire and Sword (movie): Song of Helena
George Frideric Händel The Messiah: For unto us a child is born
George Frideric Händel The Messiah: Hallelujah
Johann Strauss Jr. An der schönen blauen Donau (The Blue Danube), Op. 314
Carl Orff Dulcissime & Final Chorus from Carmina Burana
Katarzyna Dondalska, soprano
Choir (TBA)
Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

CONCERT V – PRELUDI
January 16, 2026| 7:30 PM | Venue TBA
Jeffrey Ching Fenghuang Singing
Frédéric Chopin Piano Concerto no. 1, op. 11, E minor
Franz Liszt Les Préludes
Andion Fernandez, soprano
Szymon Nehring, piano
Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

CONCERT VI – ROMANZA
February 13, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Venue TBA
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart/Jeffrey Ching Concerto for violin and piano K. Anh. 56/315f / (World Premiere of Mozart’s unfinished concerto completed by Jeffrey Ching)
Henri Wieniawski Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor
Maurice Ravel Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2
Bartek Nizioł, violin
Junhee Kim, piano
Choir (TBA)
Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

CONCERT VII – OPERA
March 13, 2026 | Metropolitan Theater
Giuseppe Verdi La forza del destino: Overture
Giuseppe Verdi La forza del destino: Pace, pace mio Dio
Umberto Giordano Andrea Chénier – La Mamma Morta
Giacomo Puccini Adagietto in F Major
Giacomo Puccini Tosca: Vissi d’arte
Stephan Hodel Angel of Fire
Jerry Dadap Symphony No. 5 ‘The Wrath of Prakṛti (nature) & Ragatmika-Bhakti (devotion) World Premiere
Katerina Mina, soprano
Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

CONCERT VIII – CODA
April 17, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Metropolitan Theater
Dmitri Shostakovich Festive Overture, op.96
Dmitri Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1
Dmitri Shostakovich Symphony No. 5, op.47
Diomedes Saraza Jr., violin
Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

NOTE: Dates and venue are subject to change.