The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra offers nostalgic holiday cheer as it performs classical pieces often associated with the season on December 14, 8pm, at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).
For the fourth installment of its 36th concert season, the program will include: Hans Pfitzner’s The Christmas Elf Overture, Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel Prelude to Act One, and Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite, as well as Christmas Music (hymns, carols and songs).
Young violinist Joaquin Maria “Chino” Gutierrez will be the guest soloist, performing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5. Chino belongs to the emerging crop of young Filipino virtuosos, carving a secure place in the international arena of violin playing.
Hailed as a young virtuoso at 15, he is the first Filipino violinist to have been invited to compete at the highly prestigious Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition in Hannover, Germany. Last year, Chino represented the Philippines in the Singapore International Music Festival.
Chino’s performances have been described by many as “mesmerizing.” Alfonso Bolipata, his first violin teacher, described him as “unusually gifted, with a natural ability and a sense of music-making that is uncanny for someone his age.” Rosalinda Orosa of the Philippine Star wrote, “Chino’s performance was brilliant, manifesting an expressivity and sensitivity well beyond the soloist’s tender years. The most intricate and rapid configurations were hurled with agility and pizzazz…with virtuosity.”
Maestro Herminigildo Ranera will conduct. Hailed for his authoritative, articulate and soulful conducting, Maestro Hermie possesses a rare musical combination as a conductor, composer, arranger, performer and educator. He is a three-time prize-winner of the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) in 1982 and 1983, and a two-time ALIW awardee in 2015 and 2016. He is currently teaching at the UST Conservatory of Music and at St. Paul University, Manila.
For inquiries and reservations, call the CCP Box Office (832-3704), TicketWorld (891-9999) or visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.
