Manila Symphony Orchestra to feature top Fil-Am pianist

MANILA, Philippines — World-renowned Filipino-American pianist Victor Asuncion, hailed by The Washington Post for his “poised and imaginative playing,” is the special guest artist of the season finale concert of the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) tonight at 8 at the CCP Main Theater starting at 8 p.m.

The concert, dubbed The Titan, promises to take audiences to an emotional and delightful musical experience as the MSO plays rarely-performed pieces, Mahler Symphony No. 1, also called The Titan, and Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major.

Victor, recognized as a pianist of innate musical sensitivity, fiery temperament and superb technique, will be joined by Prof. Marlon Chen as guest conductor. MSO’s new concertmaster and violin prodigy Diomedes Saraza Jr. will also join the concert.

Victor has appeared in concert halls across the globe as a recitalist and concerto soloist. He played his orchestral debut at the age of 18 with the Manila Chamber Orchestra, and his New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in 1999.

A chamber music enthusiast, he has worked with acclaimed conductors and important artists such as Lynn Harrell, Zuill Bailey, Andres Diaz, James Dunham, Antonio Meneses, Joshua Roman, Cho-Liang Lin, Giora Schmidt, the Dover, Emerson, Serafin, Sao Paulo and Vega String Quartet.

Victor’s recordings include the complete sonatas of L. van Beethoven with cellist Tobias Werner, sonatas by Shostakovich and Rachmaninoff with the cellist Evan Drachman, and the Chopin and Grieg sonatas, also with cellist Evan Drachman.

He is the founder and artistic and board director of FilAm Music Foundation dedicated to promoting Filipino classical musicians through scholarship and performance. His concerts have been broadcast on America’s National Public Radio, as well as other public television and radio stations.

A Steinway artist, Victor received his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in 2007 from the University of Maryland at College Park under the tutelage of Rita Sloan. 

Visit ticketworld.com.ph or call 891-9999, or call the MSO office at 523-5712 or e-mail [email protected] for details.