PPO Celebrates 40 Years of Musical Excellence with “Forte”

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), the premier resident orchestra of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), kicks off its 40th season with “Forte,” an inspiring series of performances. Under the baton of acclaimed Music Director and Principal Conductor, Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, this groundbreaking season pays vibrant tribute to Philippine culture and the universal spirit of celebration, presenting a diverse repertoire that takes audiences on a profound journey through the emotional spectrum of life.

Experience the joy of Filipino celebrations at the inaugural concert of the PPO season, “Concert I: Fiesta!”, scheduled for September 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Guest violinist Shlomo Mintz joins the orchestra for a captivating performance of Max Bruch’s “Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 26, G minor.” The leading Filipino orchestra will premiere Fiesta Contrapuntistica by its resident composer Jeffrey Ching. They will also perform Richard Strauss’s Ein Heldenleben.

Enjoy the incredible feeling of success and greatness during “Concert II: Triumph of November 15” at 7:30 p.m.

Grammy Award-winning cellist Sara Sant’ Ambrogio joins the orchestra for a program that includes Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Capriccio Espagnol, Op. 34,” Edward Elgar’s “Cello Concerto, Op. 85, E minor,” and Robert Schumann’s “Symphony No. 2, Op. 61, C major.”

Embark on a journey of imagination with “Concert III: Fantasy” on December 6 at 7:30 p.m.

The PPO concert, featuring violin prodigy Andrea Obiso, includes Gioachino Rossini’s “Overture to William Tell,” Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Violin Concerto No. 3, Op. 61, B minor,” and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 5.”

Travel through European sensibilities at Concert IV: Europa, scheduled for January 17, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. PPO plays majestic melodies with Cleveland concertmaster David Radzynski.

The program includes “Galanta’s Dance” by Zoltán Kodály, “Violin Concerto No. 1” by Tchaikovsky and “Symphony No. 8 in G major” by Dvořák.

The “V: Hope” concert will take place on February 14, 2025 at 7:30 PM and will bloom with optimism interwoven with music from the Manila Peace Tribute and the captivating visuals of Adam Ustynowicz.

Soloist Małgorzata Trojanowska lends her golden voice, and Konrad Binienda plays the piano. Hope begins with Richard Addinsell’s “Warsaw Concerto” and Andrzej Panufnik’s “Heroic Overture” and “Tragic Overture.”

“Wings of Hope,” a work commissioned by Roxanna Panufnik, also takes center stage. The hopeful evening culminates with Chopin’s Allegro de concert and Henryk Górecki’s Symphony of Sorrowful Songs.

Pianist Award Winner Rowena Arrieta and PPO to Share the Warmth and Comfort of Home at “Concert VI: Homecoming” on March 14 at 7:30 p.m.

The concert is a tribute to Lithuanian composer Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, celebrating the 150th anniversary of his birth. The piece “Miške (In the Forest)” is part of it.

Highlighting the innate need to celebrate with loved ones, the night blossoms with Franz Liszt’s “Totentanz” and Johannes Brahms’ “Symphony No. 4, Op. 98, E minor.”

Forte concludes “Concert VII: Finale,” featuring another commissioned work by Jeffrey Ching. The PPO takes on the dynamics of Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Violin Concerto No. 1” and Witold Lutosławski’s “Concerto for Orchestra” on April 11, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. Renowned Filipino violinist Diomedes Sazara Jr. joins the PPO as Artist in Residence for this highly anticipated finale.

In his 40th concert season, Sazara Jr. also serves as “Concertmaster and Artist-in-Residence” of the PPO.

Saraza Jr., in addition to being an artist, is also an educator who advocates for the distribution and promotion of Filipino culture and art. In Forte, Saraza Jr. joins forces with Maestro Nowak, promising a contemplative musical journey through life.

Forte, the 40th concert season of the PPO, is a gripping story about human emotions and their impact on a person’s culture.

Under the leadership and experience of Maestro Nowak, PPO continues to celebrate the essence of music and its profound impact on our lives, as well as to explore the depths of human emotion.

All concerts, except Concert V, will be held at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati. Concert V: Hope will end at the Metropolitan Theater (MET) in Manila.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the CCP official website at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.