The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the country’s leading music ensemble, holds “Concert IV: Europa”, the fourth installment of its 40th concert season, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati on Friday, January 17. (Photo by Chloe Elysse B. Ibañez/ The Varsitarian)

THE PHILIPPINE Philharmonic Orchestra paid homage to the musical heritage of Europe in “Concert IV: Europa,” the fourth installment of its 40th season held at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati on Jan. 17. 

Held as part of the orchestra’s seven-part series, the concert brought musical classics from Europe to Filipino audiences. 

Under the baton of principal conductor Grzegorz Nowak and composed of several UST music graduates, the orchestra opened with a rendition of “Dances of Galánta” by Zoltán Kodály, a free-spirited symphony that reflected gypsy music and Hungarian folk songs.

It was followed by a performance of Russian virtuoso Peter Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, op. 35, D major, an energetic, folk-like melody that crescendos into an intense musical dialogue between violin and orchestra. 

The concert was capped by Czech composer Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8, op. 88, G major, a showcase of Bohemian style that creates a sharp contrast between serious, solemn melodies and a more cheerful, pastoral theme.

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s associate conductor, Assoc. Prof. Herminigildo Ranera of the Conservatory of Music, said the concert was a fitting tribute to the three highly influential composers. 

“The three composers are excellent examples of nationalistic composers as they not only incorporated folk elements from their countries into their music but influenced other composers to do the same with the music of their own homelands,” Ranera told the Varsitarian. 

“They were like Filipinos, nationalistic in nature,” he added.

The concert also featured guest musicians from the UST Symphony Orchestra, including Glendale Aquias, Vincent del Rosario, and Cedri Nuñez at the violin, Venerii Malabanan and Elijah James Balboa at the viola, and Glenn Aquias at the cello. 

The “Forte” concert series kicked off last September and will run until April 11.

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