98-year-old Manila Symphony Orchestra performs Coldplay, Rivermaya hits
MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is just two years short of its centenary, but it has kept up with the times by also playing pop songs apart from its usual classical repertoire.
One of Asia's oldest orchestras operating as a full orchestra since 1926, The Manila Symphony Orchestra showed why it has lasted almost a century since it was founded by Alexander Lippay.
Apart from Beethoven and Wagner, MSO is also capable of sprucing up its repertoire by performing today's hits at the press conference for its two-year pre-100th year anniversary launch last Wednesday, February 28, in Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati.
Coldplay's vivacious "Viva La Vida" sounded wonderfully with the strings and live drums.
Rivermaya's hits penned by frontman Rico Blanco were given a classical sound while the MSO did a medley of the anthemic songs "Awit ng Kabataan" and "Liwanag sa Dilim."
The MSO is launching its "Road to 100," which features a series of gala concerts and provincial tours.
This March, it opens with a double bill of "Puccini at 100: Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi" on March 16 and 17 in Hyundai Hall of Arete in Ateneo de Manila University.
Supported by the Embassy of Italy in the Philippines, it features Filipina soprano Rachelle Gerodias and Korean baritone Byeong In-park.
Other shows this year include "Makila in Manila: Sibelius 3 and Dvorak" on May 4 in Samsung Performing Arts Theater; "Sinfonia Concertante: Mozart-Ching and Beethoven 8" on July 27 in Ayala Museum in Makati; "Brahms Violin Concerto and Tchaikovsky 6" on August 24 in Ayala Museum in Makati and "Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3" on October 5 in Aliw Theatre in Pasay City.
MSO is also set to bring its music to the provinces. This year, it is going to Las Piñas in May, Batangas in June, Cebu in September and Bacolod in October. — Video by Kathleen A. Llemit, video editing by Martin Ramos
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