Who Wants To Live Forever | Arena di Verona 2024 ❤

Violinist Shlomo Mintz headlines PPO’s season opener

BY PABLO A. TARIMAN

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024

Shlomo Mintz as orchestra soloist --CONTRIBUTED

World-acclaimed violinist Shlomo Mintz will make his Philippine debut Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m. as soloist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) under the baton of music director Gregorz Novak.

The concert at the Samsung Theater for Performing Arts in Makati City will feature him as soloist in the Bruch Concerto which he has earlier recorded with the Chicago Symphony under Claudio Abbado.

“I met Maestro Novak in a famous cruise ship where famous international musicians perform. He also conducted me in my first performance of Bartok’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in Copenhagen. I’m very much looking forward to our renewed relationship and sharing music on stage with Maestro Novak!” Mintz said.

A symphony of friendship

Thailand and Philippines celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations through music.

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Sep 23, 2024 12:56 PM

  

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The harmonious celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the Philippines recently unfolded in Manila, marked by two spectacular concerts that highlighted the rich cultural heritage of both nations. Thailand’s leading youth orchestra, the Siam Sinfonietta, performed for the first time in the Philippines, mesmerizing audiences and fostering deeper ties through music.

(From left) Ambassador of Thailand to the Philippines Tull Traisorat and Rector of the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Manila Metropolitan Cathedral, Msgr. Rolando Ramos Dela Cruz

Hosted by the Embassy of Thailand in the Philippines, led by Ambassador Tull Traisorat, the event was held Sept. 16 at the Metropolitan Theater and Sept. 17 at the historic Manila Cathedral. The concerts featured the artistry of young Thai musicians under the direction of internationally renowned conductor Somtow Sucharitkul. A Thai National Artist and true polymath — conductor, composer, author, and filmmaker — Somtow is the first Asian to receive the European Cultural Achievement Award. He is the artistic director of Opera Siam and the author of more than 100 books. His work was first heard in the Philippines in the 1970s.

Thai National Artist Somtow Sucharitkul 

The concerts celebrated not only musical mastery but also the enduring friendship between the two nations. The Siam Sinfonietta, composed of young, dynamic musicians, performed a diverse program that included classical pieces by Puccini, Mozart, and Strauss, alongside Stravinsky’s rousing “Petrushka,” which provided a powerful conclusion to both evenings. The orchestra's performance was a testament to the power of youth in shaping the future of cultural exchange.

The stunning new generation of classical musicians in Thailand: the Siam Sinfonietta

A highlight of the concert series was the inclusion of a Filipino composition by National Artist Ramon Pagayon Santos, bringing a local touch to the international event. This addition emphasized the deep cultural connections between the two nations, further solidifying the symbolic nature of the occasion. Adding to the magic of the evening was 15-year-old Thai piano prodigy Chayapon Chanporn, whose virtuosity captivated the audience, along with soprano Barbara Zion, whose recent performance with the Siam Sinfonietta at Carnegie Hall earned her international acclaim.

       Leading Thai Soprano Barbara Zion and Thai piano prodigy Chayapon Chanporn    

The Manila concerts underscored the role of music in diplomacy. By blending works from European composers with Southeast Asian compositions, the event not only showcased musical excellence but also symbolized the cultural synergy that has defined Philippines-Thailand relations over the past seven decades. Each performance offered a unique experience, yet both concerts shared the same spirit of unity, hope, and artistic collaboration.

Ambassador Megawati Manan of the Embassy of Brunei with Mme. Ranny Moerni Cahyani and Ambassador Agus Widjojo of the Embassy of Indonesia

As the final note of Stravinsky’s “Petrushka” echoed through the halls of the Metropolitan Theater and Manila Cathedral, the concerts came to a triumphant close, celebrating 75 years of diplomatic ties and the promise of many more years of friendship, collaboration, and shared cultural journeys between Thailand and the Philippines. The successful event, free to the public, was met with enthusiastic applause and admiration, leaving the audience inspired and deeply moved. This historic milestone of diplomatic relations will be remembered as a high note in the cultural exchange between the two nations.

The cast of the concert after the show at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila

With the main altar of the Manila Cathedral as the backdrop, the music echoed through the walls, offering the audience a unique experience.

K-pop girl group ILLIT to return with new album in October

BY JONATHAN HICAP

Sep 23, 2024 04:20 PM

  

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K-pop girl group ILLIT of HYBE Labels will be making their comeback to the music scene with a new album in October. 

ILLIT will be releasing their second mini-album “I’ll Like You” on Oct. 21, or just in seven months after they came out with their first mini-album “Super Real Me” in March. 

ILLIT (X)

ILLIT will release "I'll Like You" on Oct. 21 (Belift Lab)

While “Super Real Me” focused on capturing what they called “my true self,” “I’ll Like You” will tell the story of the “self” that becomes deeply immersed in the moment. 

ILLIT will portray their candid charm in  “I’ll Like You” as they encounter a “you” they wish to get closer to, navigate moments of doubt, and ultimately follow their heart to discover their own answers. 

“Super Real Me” sold 380,056 copies in the first week of release, based on data from Korea’s Hanteo Chart. 

The album entered the Billboard 200 chart, while the lead single “Magnetic” made history as the first-ever K-pop debut track to enter the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Official Singles Top 100 charts. 

Recently, “Magnetic” surpassed 400 million streams on Spotify, becoming the fastest K-pop debut track to reach the milestone. 

Pre-orders for “I’ll Like You” started on Sept. 23 with the official release at 6 p.m. KST on Oct. 21. 

ILLIT's members are Yunah, Minju, Moka, Wonhee and Iroha.