The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), the premier resident orchestra of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), embarks on its 40th concert season with “Forte,” a series of inspiring performances.

Led by acclaimed music director and principal conductor Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, the milestone season celebrates Filipino culture and the universal spirit of festivity, featuring a diverse repertoire that takes audiences on an emotional journey.

Experience the exuberance of Filipino festivities with the PPO’s season opener, “Concert I: Fiesta!,” on September 27, 7:30 p.m. Guest violin virtuoso Shlomo Mintz joins the orchestra for Max Bruch’s “Violin Concerto No. 1, op. 26, G minor.” The Philippines’ leading orchestra will premiere resident composer Jeffrey Ching’s “Fiesta Contrapuntistica” and perform Richard Strauss’s “Ein Heldenleben.”

Bask in success and grandeur with “Concert II: Triumph” on November 15, at 7:30 p.m., featuring Grammy Award-winning cellist Sara Sant’Ambrogio. The program includes Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Capriccio Espagnol, op. 34,” Edward Elgar’s “Cello Concerto, op. 85, E minor,” and Robert Schumann’s “Symphony No. 2, op. 61, C Major.”

Embark on a journey of imagination with “Concert III: Fantasy” on December 6, at 7:30 p.m., featuring violin prodigy Andrea Obiso. The program includes Rossini’s “William Tell Overture,” Saint-Saëns’ “Violin Concerto no. 3, op. 61, B minor,” and Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony no. 5.”

Wander through European sensibilities with “Concert IV: Europa,” on January 17, 2025, 7:30 p.m. Cleveland concertmaster David Radzynski performs alongside the PPO, with a program featuring Kodály’s “Dance of Galanta,” Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto No. 1,” and Dvořák’s “Symphony no. 8, op. 88, G Major.”

“Concert V: Hope” on February 14, at 7:30 p.m., blooms with optimism, featuring music from the Manila Peace Tribute and visuals by Adam Ustynowicz. Soloist Malgorzata Trojanowska and pianist Konrad Binienda will perform Addinsell’s “Warsaw Concerto” and Andrzej Panufnik’s “Heroic Overture” and “Tragic Overture.” “Wings of Hope,” a commissioned work by Roxanna Panufnik, and Chopin’s “Allegro de Concert” and Górecki’s “Symphony of Sorrowful Songs” will also be featured.

Laureate pianist Rowena Arrieta and the PPO share the warmth of home with “Concert VI: Homecoming” on March 14, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. The program pays tribute to Lithuanian composer Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis’ 150th anniversary with “Miške (In the Forest),” alongside Liszt’s “Totentanz” and Brahms’ “Symphony no. 4, op. 98, E minor.”

“Forte” concludes with “Concert VII: Finale” on April 11, 2025, at 7:30 p.m., featuring Jeffrey Ching’s commissioned work, Shostakovich’s “Violin Concerto No. 1,” and Lutosławski’s “Concerto for Orchestra.” Filipino violinist Diomedes Sazara Jr., the PPO’s Concertmaster and Artiste-in-Residence, will join for this finale.

Throughout the 40th season, Saraza Jr. also advocates for the promotion of Philippine culture and arts. With “Forte,” he and Maestro Nowak promise a profound musical journey.

“Forte” explores human emotions and their cultural ties. Under Nowak’s expert guidance, the PPO continues to celebrate music’s profound impact on life.