Fresh from its successful 45th Anniversary Concert, featuring violinist Ryu Goto, at the historic Manila Cathedral, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra will bring the excitement of live, symphony music to Davao City, through its outreach concerts happening on November 23, 5:30pm at Rizal Park, and on November 24, 5pm, at RMC Petro Gazz Arena (RMC Gym). Both concerts are free to the public.
More than just continuing its mandate to promote music appreciation throughout the country, the PPO aims to provide world-class performance of diverse, yet accessible classical musical entertainment that enriches different audiences, the Filipino communities, and the orchestra itself.
“We hope to connect and unite the Filipino through music. The PPO outreach concerts bring music and world-class performances to those who cannot travel to the CCP, or to those who may not otherwise have access. This is our way of bringing CCP closer to Filipino people, especially to those living in the regions,” said CCP president Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso.
For its Davao concerts, the PPO will perform familiar classic music such as excerpts from Swan Lake, as well as all-time favorite Filipino pieces and well-known pop songs including Usahay and Beyonce Medley.
Singer Erik Santos will be the guest performer, belting well-loved Filipino songs such as “Ikaw,” “This Is The Moment,” a medley of Basil Valdez pieces, and some Christmas songs to share the joy of the season, among others.
The November 23 concert, which coincides with the city’s Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, will be conducted by Maestro Herminigildo Ranera, while the November 24 concert will be co-conducted by PPO music director and principal conductor Maestro Yoshikazu Fukumura and Maestro Ranera.
Back in 2016, Maestro Fukumura joined the PPO in their outreach concerts in Victoria and Silay, Negros Occidental. He has worked with different renowned orchestras including the Tokyo City Ballet Company, Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra, the Japanese, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, KBS Symphony Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic, among others.
The PPO musicians will also hold workshops on various instruments such as woodwinds, brass, percussion and strings for select students.
The concerts are in cooperation with the city government of Davao City, led by Mayor Sara Duterte, and the Davao Tourism Office.
