The orchestra’s memorable send-off concert served as a precursor to their highly-anticipated UK Tour in May, featuring the talents of renowned British pianist Mark Bebbington and composer Jeffrey Ching.
The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) recently held a special send-off concert that showcased its musical prowess and world-class symphonic artistry. The show took place at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila, giving audiences a taste of what they’ve prepared for their first-ever UK Tour in May.
Led by PPO Music Director and Principal Conductor, Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, the orchestra performed an exquisite repertoire featuring works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn, Edward Elgar, Frederick Delius, and Jeffrey Ching. Renowned pianist Bebbington also took to the stage to perform Delius’s “Piano Concerto in C Minor.”
“This year holds special significance as the CCP [Cultural Center of the Philippines, where the PPO stands as the resident symphony orchestra] main building undergoes rehabilitation. We have been compelled to confront what we are beyond our iconic walls. This architectural landmark has long served as the physical embodiment of our cultural aspirations. But its momentary silence has become an opportunity to emphasize that the CCP exists wherever Filipinos engage with arts and culture,” shared Kaye Tinga, President of the CCP, in an opening speech for the concert.
She continued: “The PPO’s tour embodies this principle perfectly—that our cultural identity transcends physical structures and finds life through the practices of our artists. […] When our musicians perform internationally, they are not merely entertainers: they are cultural ambassadors and economic catalysts opening doors for cultural exchange, tourism, and global collaboration.”
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Jeffrey Ching: A Trailblazing Composer-In-Residence
The PPO send-off concert showcased the work of composer Jeffrey Ching. Titled “II Maestro di Cappella,” he had written it to open each concert for the UK Tour. Through Maestro Nowak’s invitation, Ching is now PPO’s first composer-in-residence. A distinguished graduate of Harvard, Cambridge, and the University of London, he has composed over 300 works, including five symphonies, and acclaimed operas such as Das Waisenkind and The True Story of King Kong.
The composer has earned numerous recognitions throughout his career, including the Jose Rizal Award for Excellence in the category of Art, Literature, and Culture in 2003 from the Philippine president, which recognized his innovative approach of blending historical elements from Philippine music with contemporary themes like romance. His work has also been celebrated internationally in countries like Germany, Spain, Romania, and Russia.
At the November 2024 Children’s Biennale in Manila, he premiered his opera Before Brabant, which tells the story of a young man who seeks for his true family amid an unfortunate destiny.
Mark Bebbington: Elegance Found In Every Note
British pianist Mark Bebbington’s performance of Delius’s “Piano Concerto in C Minor” gave audiences a taste of his spectacular collaboration with the PPO, as he’ll be joining the orchestra in three cities in the United Kingdom to perform the piece.
“Here [in the PPO], the quality of the music-making stems from the quality of the treatment, friendship, and companionship that clearly exists among this cohort. So I’m deeply honored to be here tonight,” Bebbington expresses in a speech. He also explained what a pleasant coincidence it was that the tour would be honoring Delius in his birthplace of Bradford, the stop of their penultimate tour date, and fittingly, the UK City of Culture for 2025.
The pianist is recognized internationally as a leading interpreter of British piano music and one of the UK’s most strikingly individual talents, with more than 30 admired recordings under his name. He’s also known to regularly include contemporary composers in his recital series, including Tōru Takemitsu, Julian Anderson, John McCabe, David Matthews, Pierre Boulez, and Elliot Carter.
The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra UK Tour Send-off Concert was co-presented by Okada Manila, with venue partner The Metropolitan Theater and National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The concert was sponsored by the Rustan Commercial Corporation, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Society, Inc., the Office of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Emirates.
For ticket inquiries, group discounts, and subscriptions, you can call the CCP Box Office at + 63 931 033 0880 or email salesandpromotions@culturalcenter.gov.ph. Follow the CCP and PPO’s official social media accounts or visit the CCP’s official website at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph for updates on PPO’s future performances.
Photos courtesy of the CCP.
