Marking nearly a century of musical excellence, the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and Standard Insurance proudly launch its 99th season IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE: 2025-2026 MSO Concert Series.
This series is a prelude to the “Road to 100” celebration of Manila Symphony Orchestra’s 100th year anniversary in 2026.
The Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is one of the oldest orchestras in Asia and the longest surviving artistic institution in the Philippines. With a rich legacy spanning almost 100 years, the MSO looks upon its history of various contributions into the cultural landscape of the country.
Jeffrey Solares, Artistic Director of MSO noted that “this landmark season will celebrate the MSO’s linkages with music and artists from various countries and celebrate the richness that has contributed to the current artistic palette of the orchestra. It will also feature the young artists it has nurtured through its scholarship and training programs as soloists.”
The first concert titled “MUSIC FOR PEACE” is all set to open on May 24 Saturday at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City at 7:30 pm.
This year, the MSO commemorates the 80th anniversary of the series of over 150 post-liberation concerts organized between 1945 and 1946. Among the music performed during that period are Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 “From The New World” and Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D, Op. 61, which will be performed featuring Berlin-based violin soloist Emanuel John Villarin and conductor Marlon Chen. Through these monumental works, the MSO continues to celebrate its mission of using music as a force for peace, unity, and healing.
THE ARTISTS
Marlon Chen’s dynamic charisma and artistic versatility have seen him conduct opera, ballet, symphonic works and chamber orchestras to sold-out concert halls across four continents. In June 2019, Marlon Chen was appointed as Manila Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director and Principal Conductor. He likewise continues his positions as Principal Guest Conductor and Associate Conductor with many of the world’s finest orchestras including Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, National Orchestra d’ile de France,
MAV Orchestra Hungary, English School of Opera Festival Orchestra London, Bulgarian State Opera, Moldova Chamber Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony, the San Antonio Symphony, Bolivian Festival Orchestra, Singapore International Music Festival Orchestra, the Baltic Sea Philharmonic and the MDR Orchestra of Leipzig, Philharmonique de Radio France, and the Symphonic Orchestra of Natal, Brazil.
Filipino violinist Emanuel John Villarin, also known as EJ, is a pioneer member of the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO) and an incoming sophomore student at Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin, Germany under the tutelage of Prof. Eva-Christina Schönweiß. As an active participant in several local and international competitions, his high achievements led him to The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)’s recognition of Ani ng Dangal Award in 2022. EJ recently won the post as one of the concertmasters of the 2023 Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO), where he led the orchestra in a concert tour of 11 different cities in Europe and Asia. EJ is a scholar of the Standard Insurance Co. “In Pursuit of Excellence” Program and the Cultural Center of the Philippines Scholarship Program.
THE REPERTOIRE
Dvořák, Symphony no. 9 “From The New World”
Dvořák’s 9th Symphony, “From The New World” is one of the most popular works of this composer from Bohemia. Dvořák was inspired by Native American tunes he encountered during his tenue as director of the National Conservatory of Music of America from 1892-1995.
80 years ago in 1945, as a tribute to the American forces who helped liberate the Philippines from the Japanese Occupation, MSO’s music director Dr. Herbert Zipper included this piece as one of the symphonies the MSO performed during its first postwar concert on May 9-11, 1945, held at the roofless Sta. Cruz Church in Binondo. The MSO last performed the entire symphony in March 2015 at the Meralco Auditorium in a concert commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the end of the 2nd world war.
Beethoven, Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 61
Emanuel John Villarin, violin soloist
Beethoven’s only completed violin concerto, the D-major op. 61, stands as one of the greatest violin concertos of all time. Its sprawling lyrical themes and symphonic breadth have made it a very popular work that generations of violinists and orchestras perform all over the world. Then 18-year old violinist Basilio Manalo performed this work with the MSO under Dr. Herbert Zipper in several postwar concerts starting from June 16, 1945 at the Rex Theater, a now defunct movie house Binondo, Manila.
The calendar of forthcoming performances of MSO Concert Series 2025-2026 are as follows:
1.) JUN 28, 2025
“A NIGHT IN HOLLYWOOD”
Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City
Los Angeles Film Composers Intensive (LAFCI) Conducting Fellows
Angel Velez, American guest conductor
Zoltan Onczay, cello
2.) AUG 09, 2025
“BRAZILIAN GUITAR AND CELLO”
Music by Villalobos and Jeffrey Ching
Fabio Presgrave, cello
Fabio Zanon, guitar
Stefanie Quintin-Avila, soprano
Marlon Chen, conductor
3.) SEP 07, 2025
“BUTTERFLY LOVERS VIOLIN CONCERTO”
Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City
Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto
Filipino Work for Children’s Choir and Orchestra
Monica Bacus, violin
Children’s Choir
4.) SEP 27, 2025
“DANCING WITH TCHAIKOVSKY”
Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City
Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations for Cello and Orchestra
Suite from the Ballet “Sleeping Beauty”
Damodar Das Castillo, cello
Alexander Vikulov, guest conductor
5.) JAN. 22, 2026
“THE MSO 100TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT”
Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati
Muyu Liu, piano
Darrell Ang, guest conductor
*Dates and venues may be subject to change.
The MSO’s journey has been one of remarkable resilience and profound cultural significance. Founded in 1926, the MSO has survived wars, endured hardships, and emerged as a pillar of artistic achievement in the Philippines. In 1945, the MSO’s first post-liberation concert symbolized the revival of Filipino culture after the devastation of World War II. It is this spirit of renewal and artistic excellence that continues to define the MSO’s work today.
In Pursuit of Excellence: Concert Series 2025-2026 will reflect this legacy while looking toward the future with exciting collaborations, world premieres, and performances that bring together the best of local and international talent.
Tickets are now available at Ticketworld:
https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/shows/show.aspx?sh=MFPEACE25
EXCLUSIVE OFFERS:
20% Early Bird Discount
Use the code: MUSICFORPEACEEB20 only until April 25, 2025 Friday
20% for Senior Citizens, PWDs, Diplomats
Email: tickets@ticketworld.com.ph
Call: 0917-550-6997 or 0999-954-5922
50% for Students
Use the code: MUSICFORPEACESTUDENT50
Present valid IDs on the day of the concert
Save up to 50% on all Season 99 concerts by being an All-Access Member http://bit.ly/3G0WH9i
For inquiries regarding subscription packages for the Season 99 Concert Series, please check the website: www.manilasymphony.com or call Ms. Riva Ferrer, MSO Marketing Manager at +63917-8501774
Follow The Manila Symphony Orchestra on social media:
YouTube – Manila Symphony Orchestra
Facebook – Manila Symphony Orchestra
Instagram – @manila.symphony
TikTok – @manilasymphonyorchestra
Website – www.manilasymphony.com
Address:
Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation Inc.
2nd level Circuit Lane, Ayala Malls Circuit, Makati City, 1207
Hashtags: #ManilaSymphonyOrchestra #MSO #InPursuitOfExcellence
#MSOConcertSeries #Season99 #MSORoadTo100 #SymphonyForThePeople
