MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) ushers the new year with an enticing evening spotlighting the brilliance of master composers Johannes Brahms and Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky for its “Fate” concert on January 12 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati.
In the fifth installment of its 39th concert season, dubbed Switch, the PPO will perform Brahms’ Piano Concerto no. 1, op. 15, D minor, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony no. 4, op.36, F minor, under the baton of PPO Music Director Maestro Grzegorz Nowak.
Known as Fatum (Fate), the featured Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece is a striking piece that reflects the emotional struggles of the composer. The symphony has a recurrent, distinctive motif and examines issues of fate. The orchestration and lyrical richness used by Tchaikovsky adds to the symphony’s enduring appeal.
For its fifth concert, pianist Jerome Rose will perform Brahm’s masterpiece with a melancholic melody floating atop a gently rocking accompaniment that resembles river water. The piece documents Brahms’s challenging years involving the influential composer and pianist Robert Schumann and his spouse, Clara.
One of the most renowned pianists in America and known as “the Last Romantic of his generation,” Rose began his international career in his 20s.
A gold medalist in the International Busoni Competition, the pianist has a long career spotlighted with his critical recordings on Medici Classics including the Liszt Concerti with the Budapest Philharmonic, Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes, the Complete Schumann Sonatas, “Davidsbundlertanze,” and “Kreisleriana,” the Last Three Beethoven Sonatas, and the Complete Ballades and Fantasy of Chopin.
In addition, he also did the Schubert Posthumous Sonatas and Wanderer Fantasie; a Liszt album featuring the B minor Sonata, Don Juan Fantasy, and Mephisto Waltz; and a Brahms Recording of Sonata No. 3, and the Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel. Medici has also issued the re-release of Mr. Rose’s Prix du Disque recording of Liszt’s “Years of Pilgrimage.”
In 2015 a Liszt 40th Anniversary Collection was released in a 3 CD box set featuring some works not previously issued on CD. In 2017 the complete Chopin Sonatas, originally released on Sony, were re-issued on Medici Classics. In 2017 Medici also re-issued a CD recording of the “Moonlight,” “Pathétique,” and “Appassionata” Sonatas of Beethoven.
The country’s leading orchestra, the PPO has premiered Filipino compositions and has featured works by foreign composers not yet performed in the Philippines.
Continuing its goal to promote music appreciation, PPO is set to hold outreach concerts in Iloilo on January 19 and in Capiz on January 21.
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