Manila Symphony Orchestra

The Manila Symphony Orchestra is one of the oldest orchestras in Asia. Founded by Dr. Alexander Lippay in 1926, the orchestra has played a major role in Philippine history. Through the years it has hosted artists Montserrat Caballé, Yehudi Menuhin, Igor Oistrakh, Eugene Istomin, Fou Ts'ong, Barry Tuckwell, Paul Badura-Skoda and Rony Rogoff, as well as conductors Andre Kostelanetz, Arthur Fiedler, Mendi Rodan, Robert Feist, Gareth Nair and Helen Quach.^{[citation needed]}

MSO has instituted two main programs intended to develop Filipino musical artistry and showcase Filipino musical talent, the "Young Artists’ Competitions" and the Luneta Concerts (known as “Concert in the Park”).^{[citation needed]} The Manila Symphony Orchestra today has young musicians who are trained by the Philippine Research for Developing International Soloists (PREDIS), which was founded by Basilio Manalo and Sister Mary Placid Abejo at St. Scholastica’s College.^{[citation needed]} Filipino conductors have taken the helm of the MSO, including Francisco Santiago, Basilio Manalo, and (currently) Arturo Molina.

In 1931 the Manila Symphony Society (MSS) with Mrs. Filomena Legarda as its president was formed to support the MSO’s regular season concerts. During the 1940s until the 1960s the orchestra was led by the Dr. Herbert Zipper who led the orchestra to perform major symphonic works, ballets and opera productions, giving Manila a significant place in Asia’s cultural landscape.

Aside from performing in major concert venues in the country, the MSO was also visible to a great number of Filipinos through its televised performances in Concert at the Park series, an initiative of MSS president Mrs. Carlyn Manning.

The MSO was originally housed at the Metropolitan Theater in the 1930s, then in the FEU theater in the 1950s, Philamlife Auditorium in the 1960s and then in the 1970s and 1980s at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and back to the refurbished Metropolitan Theater. Unfortunately, severe financial difficulties caused the original orchestra to be disbanded in 1989.

In 2001, the Manila Symphony Orchestra was resurrected by its long time concertmaster, Prof. Basilio Manalo by elevating into professional status the Manila Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) which he founded in 1995. The members of this new group of musicians were mostly trained under the Philippine Research for Developing Instrumental Soloists (PREDIS), a special music development program founded by Prof. Manalo and Sr. Mary Placid Abejo of the St. Scholastica’s College.

At present the MSO is composed of around 60 musicians under the music direction of Prof. Arturo Molina. Many of the members of the MSO are professional musicians who, in addition to their leadership roles in the orchestra, are also active participants in the cultural life of the country as soloists, music educators, music arrangers, chamber music performers, entrepreneurs, bandmasters, and choir conductors. A significant part of the orchestra also composed of young music students who represent the best crop of young musicians enrolled in the different colleges and conservatories of music in Metro Manila. Many of these have been winners in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) and have represented the country in various international music festivals and workshops.

MSO’s mission is to enrich the Filipino’s vibrant cultural life through fine orchestral music and to allow more people to experience the power of music. MSO aims to perform within the highest international standards and to present symphonic orchestral music in a fresh, spirited and entertaining way. For the MSO musician, being part of this orchestra answers a compelling hunger of the Filipino classical artist- the need to play great music as part of a superb ensemble. Being part of the MSO gives the Filipino musician the chance to participate in the performance of the major symphonies, concertos, overtures and other masterpieces that generations of composers all over the world have written for the orchestral genre.

The Beginning

The Philippine Research for Developing Instrumental Soloists (PREDIS) In 1984 Professor Basilio “Billy” Manalo, concertmaster of the original Manila Symphony Orchestra and Professor of music joined hands with Sister Mary Placid Abejo, OSB, Dean of the St. Scholastica’s School of Music to create an organization, the Philippine Research for Developing Instrumental Soloists (PREDIS), designed to provide training and inspiration for young musicians (aged 4–25) who has the capability and desire to embark on a professional career as instrumentalists. Since then over 300 young Filipinos have benefited from the program and have become leaders in the field of symphonic and orchestral music in our country.

PREDIS was envisioned to develop young musicians for a professional music career. It was projected that with PREDIS, major orchestras would then have a rich resource of well trained musicians. Likewise, it was the dream of PREDIS to provide scholarship programs to talented youths who did not have the financial access to professional musical training. The scholarship include tuition for lessons, orchestral training, access to quality instruments, and financial support for formal college music schooling.

PREDIS Teachers and Alumni

PREDIS Teachers and Alumni in leadership roles in the field of symphonic and orchestral music in the Philippines

• Arturo Molina- present Resident Conductor of the MSO, former concertmaster of Manila Chamber Orchestra (MCO), former concertmaster of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO)
• Ramon Ibero- conductor of the Manila International School Youth Orchestra
• Rosario Molina Cruz- former Principal Violist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) and the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra (SMPO)
• Wilfredo Pasamba- concert cellist and conductor of the Manila Youth Symphony Orchestra
• Melchora Regina Medina- concertmaster of the Asian Youth Orchestra (1990), present concertmaster of the Manila Symphony Orchestra.
• Mary Grace Martinez- concertmaster of the Manila Youth Symphony Orchestra (1999–2001) and the Manila Youth Symphony Orchestra (1999–2001) and the Manila Symphony Orchestra (2001–2007)
• Jeffrey Solares- Conductor of Cebu City’s Peace Philharmonic Philippines (1996–2005), former Resident Conductor of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (2005)
• Anthony Reyes- former Principal Violist, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra
• Divina Juanita Francisco-Salonga- orchestra manager and concertmaster, FILharmonika Orchestra (formerly known as the Global Studio Orchestra)
• Dino Akira Decena- concertmaster of the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra (2003–2006)
• Lauro Valentino Cad- former Principal Second Violinist, San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra
• Denise Santos-Huang- Principal Second Violinist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (2005–2006) and present concertmaster, FILharmonika Orchestra(formerly known as the Global Studio Orchestra).
• Rechelle Alcances- concertmaster of the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra (2006–2007)
• Maria Socorro Cruz- conductor and teacher of the Brent International School Youth Orchestra

A Legacy of Excellence

The quality of training and intense sense of commitment that Prof. Manalo instilled in the PREDIS, the MYSO and the MSO bore fruit and many of them went on and became winners in prestigious music competitions both here and abroad. PREDIS Scholars /MYSO members/ Present MSO Members who have won major prizes in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) since 1990

NAMCYA 1990 Violin Category B: DJ Francisco(1st Prize); Jeffrey Solares(2nd Prize); Dino Decena(3rd Prize); Violin Category C: Gina Medina (1st prize) Cello Category B: Francisco Llorin (1st Prize) NAMCYA 1993 Violin Category A: Jareena Inacay (2nd Prize) Denise Santos (3rd Prize) Violin Category B: Kimwell Del Rosario (1st Prize); Justin Texon (2nd Prize) Violin Category C: DJ Francisco (1st prize); Mary Grace Martinez (2nd Prize); Jeffrey Solares (3rd prize) Viola Category C: Anthony Reyes(1st Prize) NAMCYA 1996 Violin Category B: Jareena Inacay (1st Prize); Denise Santos (2nd Prize) Violin Category C: Justin Texon (1st prize); Mary Grace Martinez (2nd Prize) NAMCYA 1999 Violin category C: Diomedes Saraza Jr. (3rd prize) Violin Category B: Ivan Saraza (1st Prize) Violin Category C: Mary Grace Martinez (1st Prize); Denise Santos (2nd Prize) NAMCYA 2002 Violin Category A: Diomedes Saraza Jr. (1st Prize) Violin Category B: Joseph Brian Cimafranca (2nd Prize) Violin Category C: Jareena Inacay (2nd Prize) Cello Category C: Antoni Josef Inacay (2nd Prize) NAMCYA 2005 Violin Category B: Joseph Brian Cimafranca (2nd Prize) Violin Category C: Sara Maria Gonzales (3rd Prize) Cello Category B: Giancarlo Gonzales (2nd Prize) Cello Category C: Antoni Josef Inacay (1st Prize); Gerry Gonzales (2nd Prize) Chamber Music: Quarteto Espressivo (1st Prize) NAMCYA 2008 Violin Category C: Sara Maria Gonzales (First Prize); Ralph Waldo Taylan (2nd Prize); Joanna Ruth Livioco (Third Prize); Jonathan david Livioco (Honorable mention) Viola Category C: Rey Casey Concepcion (First Prize) Cello Category C: Giancarlo Gonzales (First Prize); Gerry Gonzales (Third Prize) Flute Category C: Gaille Ramos (Third Prize)

Many of these young musicians were given scholarships to study abroad and several have been able to qualify to attend international music workshops and international orchestras such as the Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO), the Southeast Asian Youth Orchestra and Wind Ensemble (SAYOWE); the Pacific Music Festival (PMF); and the Jeunesess Musicales World Youth Orchestra (WYO). Some of them have received scholarships to study in leading music schools in the USA and in Europe. PREDIS Alumni like Wilfredo Pasamba, Gina Medina, Justin Texon and Denise Santos-Huang have been featured in the Filipino Artists Series of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Transition

The Manila Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO): 1993-2001 In summer of 1993, Professor Manalo forged an agreement with the Dean of the University of the Philippines College of Music, Prof. Juan Ramos to have the string players of PREDIS Chamber Orchestra musicians to rehearse and hold a joint summer program with the music students of UP College of Music. Other orchestra musicians from other schools also participated in this program. This group performed various concerts at the UP College of Music’s Nicanor Abelardo Hall, and had performances with foreign guest conductors Jeffrey Rink, Sebastian Bereau and Yaacov Bergman. From this base of accomplished musicians, the Manila Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) was born, based at the St. Scholastica’s College of Music.

Under the leadership of Prof. Basilio Manalo, the MYSO launched into a Mindanao-Cebu concert tour where they had concerts in various venues in Davao, Bukidnon, Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro and Cebu City. In Cebu, they had a joint concert with the Cebu Youth Symphony Orchestra (CYSO) founded by the concert pianist Ingrid Sala Santamaria. With Professor Manalo and Sr. Mary Placid Abejo’s encouragement, PREDIS trained musicians and MYSO members Jeffrey Solares, Anthony Reyes and Val Cad stayed on in Cebu and helped develop and raise the level of excellence of the CYSO to become at par with the country’s best young musicians.

The MYSO also had concert series in the Cultural Center and in the St. Cecilia’s Hall. During the years 1997, 1998 and 1999, they had concert series performances at the Cultural Center of the Philippines performing the major works of Beethoven, Brahms, Berlioz, Shostakovich, Dvorak, Wagner and Mahler. Compositions by leading Filipino composers such as Antonino Buenaventura, Lucio San Pedro, Francisco Feliciano and Lucrecia Kasilag were also performed in these concerts. The featured soloists in these concerts included international artists such as pianist Felipe Ramirez and Filipino artists such as cellist Wilfredo Pasamba, violinists Arturo Molina and Gina Medina, pianist J. Greg Zuniega, and pop song diva Lani Misalucha.

During the year 2000, MYSO had special concerts with Christoph Poppen, conductor of the Munich Chamber Orchestra. They also had special workshop with the German concert cellist Klaus Kanngeiser.

The Link With The Past

History of the Original MSO

The Manila Symphony Orchestra was Asia's first symphony orchestra, and was founded by Dr. Alexander Lippay in 1926. Under his baton, the orchestra gave Filipinos their first all Beethoven program in 1927, and excerpts of Bach's St. Matthew Passion soon after. Music lovers also got their first taste of Bela Bartok and Richard Strauss in the early 30s; then later in the decade, first heard Debussy conducted by Dr. Herbert Zipper, and Stravinsky in the late 40s under Federico Elizalde.

It was Dr. Zipper who sustained the MSO in its pre-war and post-war period, introducing Kodaly, Khachaturian, Ibert, Barber and Prokofiev to Manila audiences. With his wife Trudl Dubsky as director and choreographer, performances of Mendelssohn's A midsummer Night's Dream, Bastien and Bastienne by Mozart, Strauss' Die Fledermaus and Smetana's the Bartered Bride were mounted for the first time. Other conductors who led the orchestra were Bernardino Custodio, Oscar Yatco, Sergio Esmilla, Gilopez Kabayao, and Lucio San Pedro; along with foreigners Eaktay Ahn, Helen Quach, Walter Hendl, and Lorenzo Martinez Palomo.

Besides playing symphonic and ballet music, the MSO also accompanied soloists like Ernesto Vallejo, Mercedes Matias Santiago, Reynaldo Reyes, Lourdes de Leon Gregorio, Stella Brimo, Regalado Jose, Fides Asensio, Aida S. Gonzalez, Julio Esteban Anguita, and the orchestra's own concert master Basilio Manalo. Among the foreign soloists were Yehudi Menuhin, Montserrat Caballe, and Nelly Miricioiu. Competitions for young artists were also held, and some the winners of those competitions now count among the more prominent Filipino performing artists of today.

The MSO was housed in he Metropolitan Theater in the 30s, then in the FEU theater in the 50s, Philamlife Auditorium in the 60's and then in the 70s and 80s a the CCP and back to the refurbished Metropolitan Theater. Unfortunately, severe financial difficulties caused the original orchestra to be disbanded in the late 80's.

Keeping The Music Playing

A New Orchestra with an Old Name

In September 2001, the name of “Manila Symphony Orchestra” was resurrected and was adopted by a new generation of orchestra musicians who have been trained under the PREDIS and the MYSO and who embodied the artistic legacy of MSO’s long-time concertmaster Basilio Manalo. This was done initially through a grant from the Friends for the Development of Arts and Culture (FDAC) under the leadership of the late Consuelo “Chito” Madrigal-Collantes. Professor Manalo’s leadership role in the old MSO and his role as founder, teacher, and builder of this new orchestra establishes the clear linkage and propriety for the use of the name “Manila Symphony Orchestra” to be carried by this new generation of orchestra musicians.

The Present Set –Up

The present orchestra is composed of 65 members under the music direction of Prof. Arturo Molina. They rehearse every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6:00PM to 9:00PM at their current home in the St. Scholastica’s School of Music. Although many of the members are still in the different colleges and conservatories of music in Manila, their level of performing ability is at par with the best of the country, reflecting the observation of Prof. Manalo that “the new generation of musicians is a hundred times more technically proficient than that of their predecessors.” (Phil. Daily Inquirer, September 2001).

The MSO has been continuing to pursue its vision of becoming “an orchestra which meets the highest international standards of excellence in performance and repertoire; an orchestra of major cultural focus, a source of national pride and a vital constrbutor to the appreciation and enjoyment of music by people form all walks of life.”

The MSO goals, visions and dreams for the future include establishing a foundation which will create a stable and competitive financial remuneration for its artists; establishing a regular concert season performing major orchestral works from both the standard symphonic literature and those composed by Filipino composers; to have outreach concerts aimed at introducing the orchestra and the symphonic literature to as many Filipinos from all walks of life and from various parts of the country.

External links

• Manila Symphony Orchestra Official website