The Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is all set to perform in the “Music for Peace” concert featuring Dvorak and Beethoven on May 24 at the Aliw Theater.
The MSO is one of the oldest orchestras in Asia and the longest surviving artistic institution in the Philippines. With a rich legacy spanning almost 100 years, the MSO looks upon its history of various contributions into the cultural landscape of the country.
“MSO is one of the earliest orchestras in the world to include women in its lineup,” informed Maestro Jeffrey Solares. “As early as the 1930’s, there were women playing in the MSO. Some of them were members of the Legarda family. MSO is also one of first orchestras in the Philippines to have a female music director and a female violinist. Women are very much welcome in the MSO. There is no difference.”
Today it continues to evolve. It expressed its desire to reach out to a wider audience and bring the music of artists like Bini or Zach Tabudlo to classical audiences.
“All over the world, there has been a demand not just for us, but all over the world to reach to the masses by playing pop music,” said MSO executive director and conductor Jeffrey Solares.
“That’s the common approach that they don’t play symphonies, concertos or classical music. They cannot reach the masses by just playing pop music. But sometimes, we feel that doesn’t work because we want to tell people we are capable of doing those pieces. We insist on playing the symphonies.”
The trouble is the tradition of orchestras. When they play music, they play the whole symphony – from first to last movement. Then a concerto, also like that. Sometimes, people are not ready for that.
To bridge the gap, the MSO adopts a story-driven programming approach.
“There’s a range to hear one movement of excerpts and we introduce these pieces and tell them a story,” said Maestro Jeffrey. “We don’t invent stories. Those music has a lot of exciting stories, as well, even if they have generic titles like ‘Sonata No. 5’ or ‘Symphony No. 27.’ Audiences get hooked with the main material, with the music itself. We don’t try to bring down the programming so we can entertain.
“I think the best people to play the music of Bini is Bini themselves. Sila lang. We can approximate it or have a different version of it, but it’s just a different flavor.”
The MSO has extended a very wide program for its repertoire. “We have concerts on video games. We fill up the Ayala Malls whenever we do that. We have movie themes. We collaborate with (National Artist for Music) Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, who is with the MSO Board or Trustees. We also work with Martin Nievera and Regine Velasquez. We play side by side with all those artists.”
Twenty years ago, MSO registered the term, “rockestra.” “We collaborated with many, many rock bands from the Folk Arts Theater and we have many versions of those collaboration with rock bands,” Maestro Jeffrey said.
“You arrange it in a certain symphonic way. The challenge is to hear the distinction. Because sometimes, if the song was not properly arranged or not properly mixed, the challenge is in the arrangement.
“We want to collaborate with rock bands who are willing to go through some rehearsals, so that we can have a more productive and artistically satisfying concert both for the rock fans and classical music fans.”
One of the biggest challenges for the MSO and other Filipino orchestras around is having a real concert venue, a home.
“We have many theaters,” said Maestro Jeffrey. “They’re being put up here and there. They are nice to look at. They have nice stage, seats and lobby. But we have plenty of wish lists.
“They are not built in a way that they can absorb the full power and full significance of a symphony orchestra,” added Jeffrey. “If you are in a concert and this has tickets, that is how an orchestra is supposed to be.
“We want to have our own concert hall. Maybe a concert hall on the third floor of a building, then a music academy in the first and second floor, where students can learn about music.
“A dormitory for the musicians in the basement. That is on our wish list. A home for the Manila Symphony Orchestra.”
Some of the alumni of the MSO moved on to form bands. One of the popular OPM bands is Silent Sanctuary, whose members came from the MSO. “We are happy for them,” said Maestro Jeffrey.
“In Pursuit of Excellence” concert series 2025-2026 is a prelude to the “Road to 100” celebration of Manila Symphony Orchestra’s centennial celebration next year.
