On November 22 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Gerard Salonga, will be playing well-loved classical and pop tunes from such silver screen gems as “Cinema Paradiso,” “Titanic,” “West Side Story,” “Chariots of Fire,” “Aguila,” and “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan.”
By ALEX Y. VERGARA
There’s something about music and movies that when combined produce a different kind of magic, something the lingers in your mind long after you’ve left the cinema. The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of music director and conductor Gerard Salonga and the direction of Alex Cortez, seeks to rekindle that magic with “Music, Movies, Magic,” a one-night show where it will be playing several well-loved movie themes and scores on November 22, 7:30 p.m., at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.
Gracing the show are singers Camille Lopez-Molina, Cris Villonco, Arman Ferrer, Lara Maigue, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, choirmaster Jonathan Velasco, Alice Reyes Dance Philippines and violinist Diomedes Saraza, Jr.
Although people behind the show, including Cortez, Salonga and Nes Jardin, vice president of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Society, Inc. (PPOSI), have already settled on a repertoire, they have yet to finalize the show during a press conference some weeks back. So, expect featured performers to have spot numbers and perhaps duets and group performances.
Powerhouse talents
“It is a joy to bring together this distinguished roster of Filipino artists for such a meaningful occasion. Their talent is undeniable. Each one is truly a powerhouse. We are delighted to provide a platform that allows more audiences to experience their wonderful craft,” Jadin said.
Joining Cortez and Jardin during the press conference held at Rustan’s Makati were Cultural Center of the Philippine (CCP) president Kaye Tinga, PPOSI president Margie Moran and PPOSI chairman and SSI Group, Inc. CEO Anton Huang. Salonga, who was doing a show abroad at the time, sent a video message.
Giving journalists a preview of what to expect, Molina, a soprano, and Saraza each performed to the delight of everyone present. A two-hour show won’t certainly be enough to fit in all the classic and popular songs and tunes generated by the movies through the decades. The job of narrowing down the repertoire fell primarily on Cortez.
People who come to the show expecting PPO and the featured singers to perform theme song after theme song throughout the entire night might come home disappointed. Although several theme songs will either be played or sung, the bulk of the program will be devoted to “popular” classical tunes that have made their way to the big screen. Tinga, in her welcome remarks, put this into context.
“I think for most of us growing up, the movies were probably the first medium that has probably entertained us,” she said. “Movies, TV are like a gateway to classical music. Surprisingly, we think we don’t know classical music, but a lot of the best movies such as ‘Fantasia,’ ‘Home Alone,’ and even the most basic children’s movies had elements of classical music. So, it’s really a great way to entertain as well as introduce music to our audiences.
“And with ‘Music Movies, Magic,’ people will be listening, watching the concert, and they’ll tell themselves, ‘Oh, that’s classical.’ And you realize that I do like classical music. And I think that’s what makes this show very special for our audiences.”
For her part, Moran, former CCP president, said, “The show is a journey that engages the senses completely. These melodies, which many have become the soundtrack to our lives, carry memories that are so personal, touching the very essence of our being—bringing joy, laughter, sadness, or even pain. Such is the magic of entertainment.”
Apart from culling songs and tunes from such silver screen gems as “Titanic,” “Philadelphia,” “Cinema Paradiso,” “West Side Story,” “The Thomas Crowne Affair,” and “Chariots of Fire,” Cortez and his collaborators also chose to highlight OPM (original Pilipino music) hits that either first saw the light of day or earned their immortality in such Filipino movies as “Agila,” “Paano ba ang Mangarap” and “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan.”
Holiday tunes
And since Christmas is fast approaching, they also decided to include three holiday tunes that were featured in “Home Alone.”
To be more exact, PPO will play such pieces as Johann Strauss II’s “Die Fledermaus Overture,” famously featured in the 1938 film “The Great Waltz,” which reflects the film’s grand portrayal of Strauss’s life and work. The PPO will also perform Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake,” Edward Elgar’s “Enigma Variations: IX” and “Nimrod” from “Chariots of Fire,” and Ennio Morricone’s “Se” from “Cinema Paradiso.”
“The prime consideration really is for the selections to be able to transport the audience to a kind of world which is magical,” said Cortez “That’s probably the effect that the music will have on the audience. But also, these are the kind of iconic pieces that never seem to die. And the consideration of them being classically popular in modern times. It’s very, very difficult to make a final selection, really.
“Until last week, I was asking maestro (Salonga), parang we need a showstopper. Then he said, a showstopper? Amid all this wonderful stuff? Yes, I said, I think we need something newer. And then he goes, maybe you should think of another show. We’ve also seriously considered having music from Filipino movies as part of our selection. What can be more iconic than ‘Iduyan Mo’ from ‘Aguila.’”
“I think it’s a very balanced program because in terms of composition, we have enough classical pieces in it, like Tchaikovsky, etc. Plus, we are also paying homage to contemporary composers to balance off the evening,” Jardin concluded.
Tickets to “Music, Movies, Magic” start at P8,000 for Orchestra Center seats; P6,000 for Orchestra Side; P4,000 for Loge Center; P3,000 for Loge Side; P2,000 for Balcony 1; and P500 for Balcony 2. Secure your spot via TicketWorld at ticketworld.com.ph or 0917-5506997, the CCP TIG Box Office (0931-0330880), or through Lulu Casas (0917-5708301).
