Pianist Clement Acevedo will be the featured soloist of the inaugural concert of the 38th Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) season at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) on September 16, 2022, at 8:00 p.m.
The program includes the works of Redentor Romero (Philippine Portraits) and Dmitri Shostakovich (Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Major, Op. 102) and Antonin Dvorak (Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88).
Award-winning pianist Clement Acevedo has performed in prestigious competitions such as the Heida Hermanns International Piano Competition in Westport, Connecticut, and the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA), where he entered semifinalists in both 2004 and 2009. He won the Amati Award at the 2003 Amati Music Festival in Catskills, New York. Also, he has won in concerto contests hosted by the Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation (MCO), James Madison University (JMU), and the UP College of Music, as well as the Rachmaninoff Piano Competition.
He performed with the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Herminigildo Ranera, the James Madison University Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Robert McCashin, and the Metro Manila Concert Orchestra under the baton of composer/conductor Josefino Chino Toledo at the Merkin Hall in New York City, the Taichung National Theater in Taiwan, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
He also played with the lead flutist of the Richmond Symphony, Mary Boodell and Daniel Lichti, a great Canadian bass baritone. Among the notable pianists he shared the stage with were Andrew Tyson and Gila Goldstein and also, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra’s principal bassoonist, Charles Ullery.
Clement holds a degree from James Madison University, Temple University, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, and the University of the Philippines.
Most recently, he accepted the position of Assistant Professor at the UP College of Music and Dance, to teach beginning the Academic Year 2022-23.
Spanish conductor David Gomez Ramirez will lead the PPO.
Maestro David Gomez-Ramirez opens the season on September 16. Ramirez has worked with many professional orchestras around the world. He has been chief conductor of the Sagunto Symphony Orchestra, and guest conductor in important orchestras as València, Seville, Madrid, Oviedo and outside of Spain, in France, Portugal, United Kingdom, Mexico, Russia, Romania, Italy, and Vietnam. In 2018, he was guest conductor of the PPO.
The 38th season of the PPO, entitled Metamorphosis, features an outstanding roster of eight conductors, five of whom are shortlisted for the Music Director and Principal Director position.
For more information, visit the CCP (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) and follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates.
