PHILIPPINE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA ‘VERSATILE’: PPO 41st Concert Season Concert I “Ouverture”

PRESENTED BY:
The Cultural Center of the Philippines

DATE/TIME/VENUE:
September 12, 2025 | 7:30 PM
CCP @ The Metropolitan Theater

DESCRIPTION:
The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra opens its 41st Concert Season – Versatile, with masterful performances and a program festive and brilliant orchestral works, under the baton of Maestro Grzegorz Nowak. Concert 1 – ‘Ouverture’ begins with Dvořák’s Carnival Overture, followed by the dazzling interplay of piano and orchestra in Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, featuring acclaimed soloist Andrey Gugnin. The evening culminates in Brahms’ majestic Fourth Symphony.

Praised for his passionate artistry, Gugnin has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Vienna Musikverein, and the Sydney Opera House. A laureate of the Sydney International Piano Competition (2016), the International German Piano Award (2023), and the Classic Piano International Competition in Dubai (2024), he is recognized as one of today’s foremost pianists.

Join us for an evening of musical celebration as we open an extraordinary new season. Secure your seats now and be part of this cultural event!

PROGRAM:
Antonín Dvořák Carnival Overture, Op. 92

Sergei Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43

Andrey Gugnin, piano

Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra
Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

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 CCP Box Office at + 63 931 033 0880
  or email salesandpromotions@culturalcenter.gov.ph
• Call/text 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 +63 931 033 0880

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.

ABOUT THE SOLOIST:

ANDREY GUGNIN, piano
Renowned for his passionate artistry and versatility, Russian pianist Andrey Gugnin has won top prizes at the Sydney International Piano Competition (2016), the International German Piano Award (2023), and the Classic Piano International Competition in Dubai (2024). He has performed at major venues worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, the Vienna Musikverein,and the Sydney Opera House, and with leading orchestras such as the London Philharmonic and Danish National Symphony. His acclaimed recordings, notably on Hyperion, have earned international awards and critical praise.