RENOWNED KOREAN CONDUCTOR AND VIETNAM’S TOP VIOLINIST GRACE THE PPO CONCERT SERIES

Renowned Korean conductor Jae Joon Lee wields his baton with one of Vietnam’s top violinists Bùi Công Duy for the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s third concert series slated on November 11, 2011, 8:00 p.m. at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). Bùi Công Duy will perform Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto and Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. The PPO will also perform Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture.

Maestro Jae-Joon Lee obtained his Master of Music from Keimyung University majoring in instrumental music and Master’s Degree in choral conducting at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He also received a Master’s Degree of Orchestral and Opera Conducting in Novosibirsk National Music Conservatory, Russia. In 2000, he founded the Gala Orchestra in Korea. Maestro Lee led the Pilgrim Mission Choir to the “2nd World Choir Olympics” in 2002, as well as to the “3rd World Choir Olympics” held in Bremen, Germany, which earned for them two successive awards in the Musica Sacra Acapella Category, a feat unchallenged in the European Chorus world. In 2004, Maestro Lee was the Artistic Director of Daegu International Choir Festival. He was a visiting professor at the Cuba National Institute of Arts (ISA de Cuba) and served as International Music Director of the Cuban National Opera Company. He has conducted the Matanza Philharmonic Orchestra, Novosibirsk Academic Symphony Orchestra (NASO), the PPO, UST Symphony Orchestra, and Deagu Genius Youth Orchestra (DGYO), among others. At present, Maestro Lee is the Artistic Director of The Gala Orchestra, Deagu Genius Youth Orchestra, Pilgrim Mission Music Center, Yenoeul Music Center, Daegu Educational Institute for art-gifted students and a visiting professor at the UST Conservatory of Music in Manila.

Bùi Công Duy, started to play the violin at the age of four under the tutelage of his father, Prof. Dr. Bùi Công Thanh. He won several prizes in music competitions such as the Tai Nang Tre Music Contest (2nd prize), the Mua Thu National Music Contest (1st prize) and the Tchaikovski International Music Competition (gold medal). He also studied at the Glinka Music College, Novosibirsk City, Russia under Professors M. Kuzina and A. Gvozdev, as well as at the Tchaikovski National Music College in Mascowva, Russia, under the instruction of People’s Artist, Professor I. V. Bochkova. In 2006, he worked for Virtuose Moscow Chamber Orchestra under Prof. V. Spivakov. He has performed in Saint Petersburg, Hanoi, Samara Festival, Russia, Gala Concert in Bolshoi, Moscow, Asian Week Festival in Tokyo and Osaka, “Giai Dieu Mua Thu” Festival and the “Toyota Classics” concerts. He collaborated with famous chamber orchestras such as: St. Petersburg Philharmonic Kapella Orchestra, Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, London Festival Orchestra, Ho Chi Minh Symfonic Orchestra, Vietnam National Symfonic Orchestra, and Hanoi Symfonic Orchestra. He was awarded the Ministry of Culture and Information’s Certificate of Merit, Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet’s Certificate of Merit, and “Creative Youth” medal. Currently, Bùi Công Duy teaches at the Hanoi National Music College.

Ticket prices: Php1000, Php800, Php500, Php350, Php200, with discounts available to students, senior citizens and groups.

Subscription packages are also available. For inquiries and subscriptions, please call the CCP Marketing Department (02)832-1125 loc. 1806, the CCP Box Office (02)832-3704 or Ticketworld at National Bookstore (02) 891-9999.

(Source: culturalcenter.gov.ph)

KUNDIRANA KWARENTA NA

The Kundirana celebrates its 40th year with a special fund raising concert entitled Kundirana Kwarenta Na: The Men, Music and Mission. To be held at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) on November 12 at 8pm. Featuring Ogie Alcasid, Gian Magdangal, Dingdong Eduque plus members of Kundirana Batches 1971 to 2012.

Catch this rare gathering of former Kundirana members as they celebrate 40 years in music! Musical Director: Mon Faustino. Directed by: Roxanne Lapus.

For tickets call Ticketworld at (02)891-9999, or through any Kundirana Alumni.

Tickets are at:

- Orchestra: Php3,500

- Lower Box: Php3,000

- Upper Box: Php2,000

- Balcony 1 Sides: Php1,000

- Balcony 1 Center: Php1,500

- Balcony 2: Php500

RACHELLE ON YEARS AND SONGS

RACHELLE ON YEARS AND SONGS
The country’s leading soprano Rachelle Gerodias in concert.

8 October 2011; 8pm
Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)

For tickets and inquiries, please contact: CCP Box Office (02)832-3704, (02)832-1125 loc. 1409 & 1406; Ticketworld (02)891-9999

2011-2012 PPO CONCERT SERIES 2: MUSICAL LANDSCAPES

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra
29th Season
2011-2012 PPO CONCERT SERIES 2: MUSICAL LANDSCAPES
Olivier Ochanine, Conductor
Ariel Sta. Ana, Clarinet
Category: music

Programme:
Revueltas, Silvestre – Sensemaya
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus – Clarinet Concerto
Pena, Angel – Igorot Rhapsody
Respighi, Ottorino – Feste Romane

07 October 2011; 8pm
Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
Tickets: Php1000 Php800 Php500 Php350 Php200
For tickets and inquiries, please contact: CCP Box Office (02)832-3704, (02)832-1125 loc. 1409 & 1406; Ticketworld (02)891-9999

ARIEL STA. ANA PERFORMS AT PPO II

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) second concert of the season will present noted clarinetist Ariel Sta. Ana on October 7, 2011 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) at 8:00 p.m. Maestro Olivier Ochanine conducts.

Program includes musical landscapes of Revueltas’ Sensemayá, Mozart Clarinet Concerto, Respighi’s Feste Romane and Peña’s Igorot Rhapsody.

Ariel Sta. Ana is a two time winner of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA)-second prize (1988) and first prize (1992). He received his musical training at the UST Conservatory of Music under Prof. Dalmacio Cruz. He earned two Master of Music degrees at the Elisabeth University of Music in Hiroshima, Japan for Clarinet Performance in 1996 under Prof. Tadayoshi Takeda and Orchestra Conducting in 1999 under the tutelage of Prof. Kazukiyo Inoue.

Sta. Ana was a member of the Manila Symphony Orchestra in 1988 and became the concertmaster of the ASEAN Youth Symphonic Band held in Singapore in 1992. He also attended the master classes of Andrew Marriner, principal clarinet of the London Symphony Orchestra, Jost Michaels, a German clarinet virtuoso, Karl Theo Adler of the Aulos Woodwind Quintet and renowned French clarinetist, Michael Arrignon. In Japan, he has been a member of the Hiroshima Wind Orchestra for two years and founding member of the Hiroshima International Music Friendship Club.

He has performed at the Paco Park Presents, Concert at the Park, “French Spring in Manila”, Las Pinas Bamboo Organ Music Festival, CCP “Virtuosos” concert, CCP Filipino Artists Series, San Agustin International Music Festival, among others. He participated in a recital with “Ensemble Europa” with flutist Teruki Ishibashi and pianist Eri Nakagawa. He also performed at the Poulenc Clarinet Sonata with pianist Eric Ruple and the Brahms Trio with cellist Sung Won Yang and pianist Chi-Ying Hung in the OPUSTFEST’s International Piano Festival. At present, he is in collaboration with American flutist David Johnson, and Korean pianist Hyun Joo Lee who formed the group “The Clarion Chamber Ensemble,” a group specializing in performing chamber music.

At present, Sta. Ana is the principal clarinet player of the PPO and faculty member at the UST Conservatory of Music.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra is the country’s leading orchestra, and is widely regarded as one of the top musical ensembles in the Asia-Pacific Region. It has performed with many of the world’s conductors and artists, as well as world premieres of Filipino compositions and international composers. Last August 13, the PPO performed at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (more popularly known as the “Egg”), in Beijing, China to mark the 35th year anniversary celebration of the Philippines-China Diplomatic Relations. The Beijing concert was supported by the Rustia Tantoco Foundation spearheaded by Zenaida “Nedy” Tantoco.

Ticket prices: Php1000/Php800/Php500/Php350/Php200, with discounts available to students, senior citizens and groups. Subscription packages are also available.

For inquiries and subscriptions, please call the CCP Marketing Department (02)832-1125 loc. 1806, the CCP Box Office (02)832-3704 or Ticketworld at National Bookstore (02)891-9999.

POLITICAL MUSIC: AS EXPLAINED

MEN WITH GUITARS AT CCP

TOP prize winners of the 2011 Philippine International Guitar Competition, Fiipino guitarists Arthur Erskine M. Basilio and Ramoncito B. Carpio perform in a concert billed as Men With Guitars on September 28, 2011; 7:30pm at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater).

Program includes Mario Castelnuovo Tedesco’s Capricco Diabolico, William Walton’s Bagatelle No.3 (alla Cubana) and Bagatelle No. 1 (Allegro), Heitor Villa-Lobos’s Etude No. 7, 3 Jazz Pieces (featuring Chick Corea’s Spain, Pat Metheny’s Letter from Home, Antonio Carlos Jobim’s One Note Samba), Francis Kleynjans’ Dawn of the final day (A L’aube du dernier jour), Francisco Tarrega’s Fantasia on themes from “La Traviata”, Johann Sebastian Bach’s Allegro Assai from Violin Sonata No.3, Johann Kaspar Mertz’s Variation Mignonnes, Maximo Pujol’s Elegia por la Muerte de un Tanguero, Philip Houghton’s Stele, and Manuel de Falla’s La Vida Breve, among other pieces.

Monching Carpio won the top prize in the 2011 Philippine International Guitar Competition, 3rd Prize in the 2011 Singapore International Guitar Competition, 3rd Prize in the 2010 Bangkok International Guitar Competition and 2nd Prize at the 2009 NAMCYA (National Music Competitions for Young Artists) Guitar Category C. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree, major in Guitar at the University of the Philippines College of Music, under the tutelage of Prof. Lester Demetillo. He has concertized around the Philippines and in Thailand, both as soloist and chamber musician. Monching is a member of the Philippine Guitar Ensemble (PGE). Besides writing music for the guitar, he also writes music for stage plays, short films and websites. He is currently taking his Master of Music degree at the Philippine Women’s University under Prof. Benchito Carino.

Arthur Erskine M. Basilio received the “Best Filipino Guitarist” award at the 2011 Philippine International Guitar Festival and Competition. He also participated and won the UST Guitar competition in Year 2000, and competed in the 2006 NAMCYA Guitar Competition Category C which garnered him the 3rd place. Performance credits include “Concierto de Aranjuez” at the UST museum and a number of performances at the CCP with the UST Guitar Ensemble. Adventurous at heart, he explored different genres of music which led him to new places and experiences - jazz recording, rock and theater music, to name a few. He has fairly become a participant in the local music industry. Erskine is currently a guitar faculty member at the UST Conservatory of Music.

For ticket inquiries, contact the CCP Box Office at (02)832-3704 or Ticketworld at (02)891-9999, or call the CCP Music Division at (02)832-1125 loc. 1604-1605.
(Source: culturalcenter.gov.ph)

SOUNDSCAPES: THE PPO 29TH CONCERT SEASON 2011-2012 OPENS IN SEPTEMBER

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) proudly announces the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s (PPO) 29th Concert Season 2011-2012 under the baton of its Music Director, Olivier Ochanine.

In a master classics season entitled Epic Evenings, Maestro Ochanine and the PPO open the season with “A Hero’s Life” on September 9. Noted Filipino cellist Renato Lucas performs Elgar’s Cello Concerto. The concert will also feature the Saint-Saens’ Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah, and Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben.

Clarinetist Ariel Sta. Ana performs with the PPO on October 7 with Musical Landscapes of Revueltas’ Sensemayá, Mozart Clarinet Concerto, Respighi’s Feste Romane and Peña’s Igorot Rhapsody.

On November 11, renowned Korean conductor Jae Joon Lee returns to the CCP stage with one of Vietnam’s top violinists Bui Cong Duy to perform Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto and Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. The PPO will also perform Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture.

Maestro Olivier Ochanine once again wields the baton in a Christmas concert with the return of eminent Filipino pianist Ariel Dechosa on December 16, featuring Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2, along with Christmas medleys and songs.

Japan’s prominent trombonist Takahiro Ono ushers in the New Year with Rimsky-Korsakov’s Trombone Concerto on January 20, 2012. The PPO will also perform Dvŏrák’s Czech Suite, and one of the signature works of Denmark’s most celebrated composer, Carl Nielsen’s Symphony No. 4 “Inextinguishable”.

Distinguished British born conductor James Judd conducts the PPO on February 17 in Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 “Italian” and Bernstein’s Overture to Candide. Finnish violinist and concertmaster of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Vesa-Matti Leppänen, performs Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. The concert will be presented at the Philamlife Theater at 7:30 p.m.

Anton Bruckner Symphony No.4 “Romantic” will highlight the March 16 PPO concert under the baton of Maestro Olivier Ochanine. The concert also features one of the country’s top sopranos, Rachelle Gerodias in arias, kundimans and more.

On April 20, Leeds International Piano Competition winner renowned Russian pianist Sofya Gulyak ends the PPO season with Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” and Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra is the country’s leading orchestra, and is widely regarded as one of the top musical ensembles in the Asia-Pacific Region. It has performed with many of the world’s conductors and artists, as well as world premieres of Filipino compositions and international composers. Last August 13, the PPO performed at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (more popularly known as the “Egg”), in Beijing, China to mark the 35th year anniversary celebration of the Philippines-China Diplomatic Relations. The Beijing concert was supported by the Rustia Tantoco Foundation spearheaded by Zenaida “Nedy” Tantoco.

All concerts (except Feb. 17 concert) will be staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) at 8:00 pm.

Ticket prices: Php1000/Php800/Php500/Php350/Php200, with discounts available to students, senior citizens and groups. Subscription packages are also available for eight (8) or four (4) shows. For inquiries and subscriptions, please call the CCP Marketing Department at (02)832-1125 loc. 1806, the CCP Box Office at (02)832-3704 or Ticketworld at National Bookstore at (02)891-9999.

UP ORCHESTRA PLAYS AT THE CCP

The University of the Philippines Orchestra heralds the start of celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the UP College of Music in 1916 with a concert at 8pm, September 1, 2011 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. Billed Countdown to a Century, the concert will feature pianist Nina Abrogar-Quinto with the UP Orchestra with conductors Michi Martinez and Rodney Ambat.

The UP Orchestra was revitalized in 2003 by Dean Ramon Acoymo at the UP College of Music. It serves two purposes, that of a laboratory class for string and wind majors and as one of the University’s performing groups. The UP Orchestra has made significant contribution to the university by the uplifting the standard of training that students receive in orchestral performance studies. It gears itself towards developing more symphonic programs while striving to be the best training venue of the future professional orchestral musicians of the country. It has had many successful performances, some which have featured the country’s most distinguished artists.

The 65-strong UP Orchestra is under the shared directorship of Prof. Edna Marcil “Michi” Martinez and Prof. Rodney Ambat.

For the concert at the CCP, the UP Orchestra will perform two works by Beethoven, namely the Coriolan Overture and Symphony No. 1, under the baton of Prof. Rodney Ambat, in the first half of the program. Prof. Edna Marcil Martinez leads the Orchestra in the second half of the program feature Britten’s Simple Symphony for Strings, Abelardo’s Piano Concerto with Nina Abrogar-Quinto as soloist, and Antonino Buenaventura’s By the Hillside.

Countdown to a Century will raise funds for the UP College of Music Alumni Association (UPCMuAA) which promotes the development and training of young Filipino musicians. In particular, the concert is a fundraising effort for the UPCMuAA Students’ recital fund and the development of the UP Orchestra.

For tickets and information, please call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or the CCP Music Division at (02)832-2314.

THE STORY OF JAZZ: 1ST CCP INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

The Cultural Center of the Philippines will be a-thumping with the sound and beat of jazz music when it holds The Story of Jazz: 1St CCP International Jazz Festival 2011 on August 23-28, 2011.

More than 150 jazz musicians from different jazz groups will converge at the CCP to jive and jam in various venues of the CCP that will be transformed into one big jazz club with intimate music lounges. Jazz players and singers from the Philippines and abroad will tell the story of jazz through talk and music. Lectures on and performances of jazz in all its variety of styles—-bebop, blues, ragtime, modal, experimental, big band and fusion will be held.

Leading the roster of performers is the world renowned royal hartigan and blood drum spirit from the USA. Percussionist and pianist royal hartigan and his blood drum spirit ensemble have performed all over the world, exploring the great music traditions of the world through live jazz performances. The group has been described by music reviewers as “the confluence of different musical traditions, combining non-Western rhythms with a standard jazz quartet to create a series of impressive originals”

Other performers include the Korean Soul and Beat Project Group from Korea, Stelzhamma from Austria, Shun Kikuta from Japan, Neris Gonzalez from Spain, Charito, Michael Bourne and the Bleu Rascals, Lowcal, Blue Rats, Faith Gospel Singers, the UP Jazz Ensemble, UST Jazz Ensemble, Cooky Chua and her band, Majam and Emi Munji and the AMP Band.

A video documentary on the Story of Jazz in the Philippines produced by Richie Quirino and Collis Davis Jr. will also be shown. Performance venues include the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater), Tanghalang Huseng Batute (Studio Theater), and the Silangan Hall. The MKP Multi-Purpose Hall will serve as the venue for all the lectures.

On August 28 at the CCP Main Theater, the Festival will come to a swinging finish in a concert headlined by the UP Jazz Ensemble, Charito with the AMP Band.

“The event will not only see the largest gathering of local and foreign jazz artists at the CCP for the first time. It will also be a time for these foreign and local artists bond together and collaborate, in this enjoyable language of musical expression.”, CCP Music Division head Menchi Mantaring said.

Tickets prices to the events at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) are Php800, Php600, Php400 and Php200. Ticket price to all concerts at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute and the Silangan Hall are at Php300. All lectures and workshops at the MKP Multi-Purpose Hall are at Php100. The standard 50% discount for students and 20% for senior citizens apply.

LIMITED Festival passes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Festival pass* - Php1,200
*Access to all shows at the Main Theater (TNA), TNA Stage, Silangan and Tanghalang Huseng Batute, and to all the lectures and workshops at MKP

Flexi pass* - Php 500
*Access to one (1) performance at the Main Theater (TNA) or Main Theater (TNA) Stage, one (1) performance at Tanghalang Huseng Batute, and one (1) access to a lecture or workshop at MKP

One day pass* - Php500
*Access to all shows in one day

To avail of the passes, contact at (02)832-3706.