Celebrate the Yuletide season with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra on Dec. 20, 8:00 p.m. at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Guest soloists are percussionist Aimee De la Cruz, child soprano Alexa Kaufman, and clarinetist Franz Jensen Andra. Maestro Herminigildo Ranera leads the PPO.
Program includes two works by Samuel Barber (“Adagio for Strings” and “Die Natali op.36”), Carl Maria von Weber’s “Concertino for Clarinet and Orchestra, op.26”, Cesar Franck’s “Panis Angelicus”, Felipe De Leon’s “Payapang Daigdig”, Pietro Yon’s “Gesu Bambino”, Darius Milhaud’s “Concerto for Percussion and Small Orchestra”, andPeter Ilich Tchaikovsky’s “Capriccio Italien op.45”.
Aimee Mina De la Cruz holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Saint Paul University Manila under the Extended Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program, and a Diploma in Creative and Performing Musical Arts from the University of the Philippines. As a soloist, Aimee performed under the baton of the late Maestro Oscar Yatcowith the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, and also with the PhilBanda Wind Orchestra at the Singapore International Band Festival. Most recently, she was one of the featured soloists in the “OH-Asian Percussionists” Concert in Chai Wan, Hong Kong.
Alexa Isobel Kaufman is the youngest member of the Philippine Opera Company. Likewise, she is the youngest student of Emeritus Professor of the University of the Philippines College of Music and Gawad CCP Maestra Fides Cuyugan Asensio. She has undergone vocal coaching with National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, tenor Francisco Aseniero and soprano Karla Gutierrez and has attended several Masterclasses by Nick Lizaso, Robbie Guevara, Ronnie Fortich, Menchu Lauchengco, and Maynard Peñalosa.
Franz Jensen Andra is currently a scholar at the Philippine High School for the Arts under the tutelage of Prof. Ariel Sta. Ana, principal clarinetist of The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. He recently won 2nd prize at the First Macao International Clarinet Competition in the 18 years under category. Franz is one of the finalists of the First FilKor Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition and was featured as soloist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra in their Family Concert of 2019. At present, Franz is the concert master of the community-based General Trias Youth Symphonic Band, and also a member of the Sta. Cecilia Band 89 of General Trias, Cavite and The Philippine Youth Symphonic Band.
Ticket prices are P1500/1200/800/500/400, with discounts available to students, senior citizens and groups. For inquiries, please call the CCP Box Office at 8832-3704.
