The Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) continues its centennial season with a landmark concert commemorating 80 years of Filipino-American friendship. This special program reflects on a defining moment in Philippine cultural history—on July 5, 1946, following the inauguration of the Republic, the MSO presented a gala symphony concert at the Rizal Memorial Stadium as part of the nation’s independence celebrations.
Eighty years later, the orchestra revisits this historic connection through a program that brings together Filipino and American composers whose works reflect decades of artistic exchange, shared influences, and cultural dialogue.
Opening the evening is Antonino Buenaventura’s Youth, the prize-winning composition that premiered at the 1946 MSO gala concert under the baton of the composer himself. The work captures the spirit of resilience and optimism, portraying youth as a symbol of vigor, energy, and hope at the threshold of life’s journey.
The program continues with Lucio San Pedro’s Concerto in D Minor for Violin and Orchestra, recognized as the first complete violin concerto by a Filipino composer. Written after his studies at the Juilliard School in 1948, the work reflects the continuing educational and artistic exchanges between Filipino and American musical traditions. The piece will be performed by violinist Jeanne Marquez, a Juilliard-trained artist.
Representing the American repertoire are Artie Shaw’s Concerto for Clarinet, featuring Filipino-American principal clarinetist Jason Marquez, and George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture for Orchestra, arranged by Robert Russell Bennett. These works highlight the diversity of American musical expression, spanning jazz, popular idioms, and the symphonic tradition.
Under the baton of Jose Reyna Jr., an American Prize-winning Filipino conductor acclaimed for his artistry and precision on the podium, the concert honors eight decades of friendship between the Philippines and the United States, while reaffirming the MSO’s role in shaping the nation’s cultural legacy.
The performance will be held at the Manila Metropolitan Theater, a historic venue closely associated with the MSO since its inauguration in 1931. This concert also marks a symbolic homecoming for the orchestra and reinforces its continuing partnership with the theater in the seasons ahead.
- VIP – ₱5,000
- Orchestra Front Side – ₱3,500
- Orchestra Rear Side – ₱3,000
- Loge – ₱5,000
- Balcony Center – ₱2,000
- Balcony Inner – ₱1,500
- Balcony Outer – ₱1,000
Early bird offer: LIBERATIONEB20 (valid until June 22, 11:59 PM)
Discounts:
- 20% Senior Citizens and PWDs
- 50% Students (valid ID required)
Complimentary tickets are available for MSO All Access subscribers. Visit www.manilasymphony.com for details.
