IN
PURSUIT OF
EXCELLENCE
The Manila Symphony Orchestra Concert Series
ABOUT
THE
CONCERT
SERIES
Continuing its dedication to fostering the relentless pursuit of artistic excellence among Filipino artists, Standard Insurance Inc. proudly introduces the 2023-2024Concert Series of the Manila Symphony Orchestra.
This extraordinary series showcases a diverse lineup of exceptional local and international guest artists, uniting in collaborative harmony to breathe life into the timeless compositions of the musical masters.
JOHANNES FLEISCHMANN
Johannes Fleischmann, born in Vienna, started playingviolin at 5. Studied at University of Music and PerformingArts Vienna, graduated with distinction. He performedat prestigious concert halls globally, such as WienerMusikverein, Wiener Konzerthaus, the great hall of theTchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, Carnegie Hallamong others. He is an appointed ambassador forNASOM program, and has toured extensively.
ODIN RATHNAM
Since his critically acclaimed Lincoln Center debut in 1993,the American violinist Odin Rathnam has established himself as one of the most passionate and versatile artists of his generation. As a soloist, Odin Rathnam has performed with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, the Philippine Philharmonic, the Colombian National Symphony, the Harrisburg Symphony among others.
HINA MAEDA
Violinist Hina Maeda recently left the Tokyo College of Music High School to begin studies at the Tokyo College of Music. Her list of awards includes 1st Prize at the Henryk Wieniawski International Violin Competition (2022), 1stPrize and Audience Prize at Tokyo Music Competition(2020), 2nd Prize and Audience Prize at Music Competition of Japan (2019), as well as 1st Prize, Virtuoso Prize and Sponsorship Prize at Kloster Schöntal Violin Competition in her age group (2015).
VICTOR SANTIAGO ASUNCION
Hailed by The Washington Post for his “poised and imaginative playing,” Filipino-American pianist Victor Santiago Asuncion has appeared in concert halls globally 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 in Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall in 1999.
JOSHUA TAN
A graduate of The Juilliard School and the Eastman School of Music, Joshua Tan was Second Prize winner of the Dimitri Mitropoulos International Competition and an awardee of numerous scholarships and awards, including the Young Artist Award – Singapore, Bruno Walter Memorial Foundation Award, and more. He was the first conductor to be presented the Charles Schiff prize from The Juilliard School.
OLIVIER OCHANINE
Olivier Ochanine is a renowned French conductor and flutist, with a master's degree in Conducting from US Canda Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting from Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Olivier has achieved remarkable success, including winning First Prize at the Antal Dorati International Conducting Competition. He served as the youngest Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Philippines Philharmonic Orchestra, and has conducted prestigious orchestras worldwide.
MONICA BACUS
Monica Bacus is a talented violinist and scholar at Cleveland State University, currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Violin Performance. She has recently served as concertmaster for the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra. As a member of the MSO and the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO), Monica has performed at prestigious concerts, tours, and festivals worldwide, including the Hunhe River Symphony Art Festival in China.
MICAH PECSON
As concertmaster of the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO), Micah Pecson achieved remarkable success, winning 1st Place in 2018 and 2nd Place in 2017at the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival in Vienna, Austria. She is
is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music Degree in Violin Performance at Cleveland State University under the guidance of Prof. Odin Rathnam.
DIOMEDES SARAZA JR.
Diomedes Saraza Jr., a Filipino violinist, holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School in New York. He continued his studies at Yale University, pursuing a Master of Musical Arts degree and earning prestigious awards such as the Broadus Erle Prize and the Alumni Association Prize.
MARLON CHEN
Marlon Chen, known for his dynamic charisma and artistic versatility, has conducted opera, ballet, symphonic works, and chamber orchestras to sold-out concert halls across four continents.
In June 2019, he was appointed as the Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO). He also holds positions as the Principal Guest Conductor of the Orquesta Sinfonica de la Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Hildalgo and the Resident Conductor of the Aperio Ensemble in Houston, Texas.
THE MANILA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
For decades, the Manila Symphony Orchestra has been a pioneer in the practice and appreciation of fine music in the Philippines. Through those years,the pursuit of excellence in our endeavor has been constant. Its recent performances as featured orchestra in Shenyang, China in 2019 and at the Asia Orchestra Week in Japan in 2022 has cemented its place not just a a pioneer orchestra in Asia but also as a major musical force in the Asia Pacific Region.
As MSO approaches its 100th year, it has expanded into a Foundation with a vision to become a center to discover and train Filipino musical talent, making them perform alongside the world’s best, and letting the practice and appreciation of music a regular part of every Filipino’s life.
SEASON 2023 - 2024 REPERTOIRE
JUNE 17, 2023
Mendelssohn: Overture to A
Midsummer Nights Dream
Dvorak: Violin Concerto in A minor
(Johannes Fleischmann, violin)
Brahms: Symphony no. 1
MSO with Marlon Chen
JULY 20, 2023
Sarasate: Navarra for Two Violins
Monica Bacus and Micah Pecson, violins
Saint Saens: Violin Concerto no. 3
Odin Rathnam, violin
Dvorak: Symphony No. 5
MSO with Marlon Chen
AUGUST 26, 2023
Wieniawski: Violin Concerto no. 2
Hina Maeda, violin
Rimsky Korsakov:
Scheherazade
MSO with Marlon Chen
OCTOBER 11, 2023
Ravel: Valses Nobles et
Sentimentales
Mendelssohn: Symphony no. 4
Paganini: Violin Concerto no. 1
Diomedes Saraza Jr. violin
MSO with Joshua Kangmin Tan
DECEMBER 8, 2023
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto no. 3
Victor Asuncion, piano
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 1
MSO with Marlon Chen
JANUARY 21, 2024
Pena: Trinity
Nielsen: Symphony No. 1
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto no. 1
Diomedes Saraza, violin
MSO with Olivier Ochanine
