JR Bustamante, On August 25, 2011

PASAY CITY, Philippines - It’s time to soothe the ears, mind and heart with the  relaxing, romantic sounds of the violins, cello, piano as well as the other  ear-friendly musical instruments of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) as it opens its 29th Season in September 2011-2012 under the baton of its music director Olivier Ochanine.

The nation's leading symphony orchestra and a resident company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) proudly presents its master classic season titled ‘Epic Evenings’ which opens with ‘A Hero’s Life’ on September 9.

When asked who the hero is referred to in the title, Maestro Ochanine answered, “The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra is the ‘hero’ for being able to accomplish the impossible.”

He warmly answered questions from the media during a press conference held at CCP’s Silangan Hall, August 24. In response to media requests, Maestro Ochanine gamely promised to include selections from the pop  genre, popular movie theme songs as well as Filipino music in succeeding concert seasons.

Maestro Ochanine took over the helm of the PPO in early 2010, made his gala concert appearance during its final concert of the 2009-2010 season on April 15, 2010 at the CCP Main Theater.

He began his musical studies in Paris, France, where he was born. He studied the flute in Germany and the US, and then the contrabass in the US as well while pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree for flute performance at the University of Kentucky (UK).

While at UK, Ochanine studied flute with Gordon Cole (UK) and bass with Matthew Zory (Cincinnati Symphony), and frequently performed on flute and double bass with the award-winning UK Wind Ensemble under Richard Clary. He studied conducting with Dr. Robert Baldwin (director of Orchestral Studies at the University of Utah). He also served as auxiliary bassist with the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra.


In 1998, Mr. Ochanine was chosen to perform as bassist for the celebrated American Spiritual Ensemble's Gershwin Tour of Spain.

CCP president Raul M. Sunico, Ph.D. and vice president/artistic director Chris B. Millado were in attendance to share their insights and plans for PPO.

Mr. Sunico generously shared his vision to increase Filipino patrons to the arts by holding mini-lectures to educate and help them appreciate PPO music selections as opposed to the barrage of everyday music. He also mentioned that future performances may include a ‘mini-introductions’ to the piece in between performances so the audience will understand each performance as the show goes on.

This concert season presents local and foreign guest performers mingling together as they converge for the event, bonded together by the universal language of music.

In the opening concert, noted Filipino cellist Renato Lucas performs Elgar’s Cello Concerto. Saint Saen’s Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah, and Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben will also be featured in the concert.

Clarinetist Ariel Sta. Ana performs with the PPO on October 7 with Musical Landscapes of Revueltas’ Sensemaya, Mozart Clarinet Concerto, Respighi’s Feste Roman, and Pena’s Igorot Rhapsody.

On November 11, renowned Korean conductor Jae Joon Lee  returns to the CCP stage with one of Vietnam’s top violinists Bui Cong Duy to perform Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto and Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. The PPO will also perform Brahm’s Academic Festival Overture.

Maestro Olivier Ochanine once again wields the baton in a concert with the return of eminent Filipino pianist Ariel Dechosa on December 16, featuring Ravel’s Le Tom beau de Couperin, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2, along with Christmas medleys  and songs.

Japan’s prominent trombonist Takahiro Ono ushers in the New Year with Rimsky-Korsakov’s Trombone Concerto on January 20, 2012. The PPO will also perform Dv?rák’s Czech Suite, and one of the signature  works of Denmark’s most celebrated composer, Carl Nielsen’s Symphony No. 4 ‘Inextinguishable’.

Distinguished British born conductor James Judd conducts the PPO on February 17 in  Mendelssohn’s ‘Symphony No. 4 - Italian’ and Bernstein’s ‘Overture to  Candide’. Finnish violinist and concertmaster of the New Zealand Symphony  Orchestra Vesa-Matti Leppänen, performs Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. The concert will be presented at the Philamlife Theater at 7:30 p.m.

nton Bruckner’s ‘Symphony  No.4 - Romantic’ will highlight the March 16 PPO concert under the baton of Maestro Olivier Ochanine. The concert also features one of the country’s top sopranos, Rachelle Gerodias in arias, kundimans and more.

On April 20, Leeds International Piano Competition winner renowned Russian pianist Sofya Gulyak ends the PPO season with Igor Stravinsky’s ‘The Rite of Spring’ and Brahms’ ‘Piano Concerto No. 1’.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra is the country’s leading orchestra, and is widely regarded as one of the top musical ensembles in the Asia-Pacific Region. It has performed with many of the world’s conductors and artists, as well as world premieres of Filipino compositions and international composers. On August 13, PPO performed at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (more popularly known as the ‘Egg’), in Beijing, China to mark the 35th year anniversary celebration of the Philippines-China Diplomatic Relations. The Beijing concert was supported by the Rustia Tantoco Foundation spearheaded by Zenaida ‘Nedy’ Tantoco.

All concerts (except for February 17 concert) will be staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) at 8:00 pm.

Ticket discounts are available to students, senior citizens and groups. Subscription packages are also available for eight (8) or four (4) shows. For inquiries and subscriptions, please call the CCP Marketing Department (632) 8321125 loc. 1806, the CCP Box Office (632) 8323704 or Ticketworld at National Bookstore (632) 891-9999.