PHILIPPINE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA FORTE: PPO 40th Concert Season – Concert VI “Homecoming”

PRESENTED BY:

The Cultural Center of the Philippines

DATE/ TIME/ VENUE:

March 14, 2025 | 7:30 PM

CCP @ the Samsung Performing Arts Theater

 DESCRIPTION:

This “Homecoming” concert promises an evening of exquisite musical storytelling. It is also a special event celebrating the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Lithuania’s independence and the 150th anniversary of Lithuanian artist Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis.

The evening opens with Čiurlionis’ Miške (In the Forest), a lush and evocative symphonic poem. It is followed by the fiery drama and iconic melodies of Bizet’s Carmen Suite. The first half culminates in the electrifying virtuosity of Liszt’s Totentanz, performed by the internationally acclaimed pianist Rowena Arrieta. After intermission, the audience is treated to Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, an ethereal piece featuring the breathtaking artistry of violinist Diomedes Saraza Jr.  The evening’s grand finale  conclusion is Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Suite, a symphonic rendition of one of ballet’s most beloved masterpieces.

A night of passion, virtuosity, and nostalgia awaits. Don’t miss this concert!

 

PROGRAM:

Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis                     Miške (In The Forest)

(In honor of the Lithuanian composer’s 150th Anniversary)

 

Franz Liszt                                                        Totentanz

                           Rowena Arrieta, piano

 

INTERMISSION

 

Ralph Vaughan Williams                                      The Lark Ascending

                                    Diomedes Saraza Jr. , violin

 

Peter Ilich Tschaikovsky                                      Swan Lake Suite

 

                              Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

                                Grzegorz Nowak, conductor

 

TICKET INFORMATION:

Ticket Prices:

Tickets are available at

https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/shows/show.aspx?sh=PPOCON625

 Discounts:

20% for Senior Citizens, PWD, Government & 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.

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

PPO 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 SOLOISTS:

 ROWENA ARRIETA, Piano

Acclaimed pianist Rowena Arrieta gained international recognition as the youngest Laureate of the 1982 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition, earning Fifth Prize and a Special Prize – feat unmatched by any other Filipino. She went on to win First Prize at both the Jose Iturbi International Piano Competition in Spain and the Frinna Awerbuch International Piano Competition in New York. Arrieta was among the first graduates of the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) before earning her Master’s Degree with highest honors from the Moscow State Conservatory and further studies at the Manhattan School of Music. Described by The New York Times as having “a fevered demonic intensity” and “a gentle, sublime introspection,” she has performed with major orchestras across the United States, Europe, Australia, and Asia. An inductee of the US National Piano Teachers Guild Hall of Fame, she is also a best-selling author and recently released her piano album, Piano Favorites (2023).

DIOMEDES SARAZA, JR., Violin

Diomedes Saraza started playing the violin at the age of three. He gained attention and became a prominent violinist in the Philippines after winning first place at the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) in 2002. He became the youngest member of the Manila Symphony Orchestra at age 13. Saraza received both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the Juilliard School in 2015. One of his notable concert engagements the performance of the Sibelius Violin Concerto in the historic concert of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra in New York’s Carnegie Hall, under the baton of Olivier Ochanine. At the invitation of Grzegorz Nowak, Diomedes Saraza serves as the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s concertmaster and artist-in-residence for the 2024-2025 season.

WOMEN’S MONTH PROMO!

Celebrate Women’s Month with our special offer. Enjoy an exclusive discount on tickets and receive a free pouch.

Ticket Price: Php 1,500 (Orchestra Sides only) – includes a free pouch (while supplies last).

Where to Purchase:

• CCP Box Office
• Any TicketWorld outlet
• Online via TicketWorld

How to Claim Your Free Pouch:

• For tickets purchased online or through TicketWorld outlets, the free pouch may be claimed at:
• CCP Box Office (Tuesday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
• Samsung Performing Arts Theater on the event day
• To redeem, ticket holders must present either their e-ticket or physical ticket (while supplies last).

Promo Code: Use “Women’s Month Promo” as the price type code.

Promo Duration: This offer is valid from March 1, 2025, until the event date.

Take advantage of this special promo and secure your tickets now!