The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) ushers in the season of romance with Concert VI: Romanza, an evening devoted to the enduring language of romance expressed through music.
Offering audiences a timeless Valentine’s celebration steeped in grace and sophistication, the country’s premier orchestra provides a distinguished setting for a program of lyrical richness and artistic refinement on February 13, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City.
The PPO, under the masterful guidance of PPO music director and principal conductor Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, interprets the captivating works of composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Henryk Wieniawski, and Maurice Ravel in the sixth installment of its concert season. Violin virtuoso Bartek Nizioł and acclaimed pianist Junhee Kim serenade the audiences with the lush repertoire.
An exquisite repertoire for a romantic night
Coinciding with the eve of Valentine’s Day, PPO’s Concert VI: Romanza opens with one of Mozart’s unfinished classics, Concerto for Violin and Piano in D major, K. Anh. 56/315f. It was written in 1778 with two oboes, two French horns, and strings in mind. With only 120 bars of the first movement written down, Mozart introduces an adagio interlude, allowing the violin to dialogue with the orchestra.
Jeffrey Ching, the PPO’s composer-in-residence, elegantly completes Mozart’s Concerto for Violin and Piano. This newly realized version receives its world premiere in Concert VI: Romanza, offering a rare encounter with Mozart through a contemporary lens.
The sixth installment of the PPO’s 41st concert season resumes with another concerto, this time by Polish composer Wieniawski. Composed between 1856 and 1862, the Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 22 is dedicated to Pablo de Sarasate, a towering figure and cornerstone of the Romantic violin movement. Wieniawski, who died early at 44, reflected his persevering nature in the composition’s soulful romance. Its three movements balance technical brilliance with heartfelt lyricism, making it both a performer’s showcase and an audience favorite.
PPO’s Concert VI: Romanza majestically concludes with French composer Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé: Suite no. 2, a luminous orchestral tapestry drawn from his ballet of the same name. Renowned for his meticulous standards, Maurice Ravel initially declined to proceed with the staging, feeling that the work had not yet achieved the level of polish he demanded.
The artistic tale follows Daphnis, who sleeps in distress after realizing that his lover Chloé has been abducted. After dreaming of a god coming to his aid, he wakes up with her beside him.
Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé: Suite no. 2 wields ascending and descending notes, peppered with a warm melody. It bursts radiantly with the orchestra, celebrating the couple’s reunion.
A lyrical expression from celebrated soloists
Sharing the stage with the PPO are guest soloists, Polish violinist Nizioł and Korean pianist Kim. Together, they shape the program into an exploration of romance through melody, dialogue, and orchestral color.
Violin prodigy Nizioł graduated from the Academy of Music in Poznań. He then resumed his education at the Conservatoire de Lausanne. Apart from winning the Henryk Wieniawski International Violin Competition in 1991, Nizioł has coveted awards in several international violin competitions. Nizioł has spent nearly four decades as both a soloist and a chamber musician, with over 20 albums. On numerous occasions, he has performed and recorded with Maestro Nowak.
Meanwhile, South Korean pianist Kim is known for his stage presence, tone, and refined sense of repertoire. Fusing technical mastery with emotional clarity, his musical interpretations showcase fresh perspectives on the classical piano tradition. Currently, Kim curates long-term projects for the Santa Barbara International Music Festival in Sardinia as its artistic director.
In 2025, he commissioned Ching for a reimagined version of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater with piano and premiered it at a festival. He later focused on Franz Liszt’s lesser-known compositions and worked with WDR 3 to release Apparitions on Deutsche Grammophon.
Apart from the PPO, Kim has performed with the Tokyo Philharmonic and Seoul Philharmonic. He also appeared as a soloist with the Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra on its 2025 Asian tour.
A concert where romance meets clever artistry
Fulfilling its promise to showcase musical versatility in its 41st concert season, the PPO skillfully pivots to a repertoire of soaring, heart-tugging harmonies in Concert VI: Romanza. The concert series remains true to its dedication to harnessing the power of art to amplify emotion with nuance, intelligence, and beauty.
Slated on February 13, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, the concert serves as a poignant reminder that music and romance are forever entwined.
Now available at TicketWorld, PPO concert tickets are priced at Php3,000, Php2,500, Php2,000, and Php1,500. Be a PPO season subscriber to get an exclusive 20 percent discount. Email salesandpromotions@culturalcenter.gov.ph or call the CCP Box Office (+63931-033-0880). For more updates on the PPO’s performances, visit the CCP’s website at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph. You may also check the CCP and PPO’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more information on future events.
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