Manila Symphony Orchestra celebrates 99th year
The Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO), one of the oldest symphony orchestras in Asia, was founded in January 1926 by Alexander Lippay. Upon his death in 1939, he was succeeded by Herbert Zipper of Austria, a survivor of the Nazis’ Dachau concentration camp during the late 1930s. During the Japanese Occupation, Zipper was detained by Japanese authorities for being a “political prisoner.” MSO members refused to perform in protest, and hid their instruments. In reaction, the Japanese created the New Philippine Symphony Orchestra, led by celebrated composer Francisco Santiago (“Anak Dalita”), presumably under duress.
Zipper was released after four months. He went on to lead the MSO in its first postwar concert in the ruins of Santa Cruz Church in May 1945.
This year, 80 years later, some of the works performed by the MSO under Zipper will be played in its just-launched 99th season titled “In Pursuit of Excellence.” The first concert, “Music for Peace,” will be held on May 24 at the Aliw Theater, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex, at 7:30 p.m. The MSO will be led by Marlon Chen, who has been MSO music director and principal conductor since 2019.
This was announced by MSO executive director Jeffrey Solares at a recent press conference at the MSO Music Hall, Circuit Makati. “This landmark season will celebrate the music and artists from various countries, along with the young artists we have nurtured as soloists through scholarship and training programs,” Solares said.
The repertoire at the press launch included excerpts from two great works: Dvorak’s 9th Symphony, “From the New World,” and Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, with Emanuel John Villarin as the violin soloist. The MSO under Zipper performed the Dvorak symphony in the roofless Santa Cruz Church in May 1945 as a tribute to the American Forces who helped liberate Manila at great cost. A month later, the MSO performed the celebrated Beethoven concerto at the now defunct Rex Theater, a movie house in Binondo, Manila, with 18-year-old Basilio Manalo as the violin soloist.
Centennial performances
Other works performed at the press launch were the theme from “Cinema Pardiso” by Ennio Morricone, with Sara Maria Gonzales as the violin soloist; “Meditation for Orchestra” by Conrado del Rosario; Tchaikovsky’s Waltz from the “Sleeping Beauty” ballet; and some lively, rousing film music highlights by John Williams.
These are the performances for the MSO Concert Series 2025-2026, culminating in the 100th anniversary concert in January:
June 28: “A Night in Hollywood,” Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City. Los Angeles Film Composers Intensive Conducting Fellows (Lacfi). Angel Velez, American guest conductor, with soloist Zoltan Onczay, cello.
August 9: “Brazilian Guitar and Cello,” music by Villalobos and Jeffrey Ching. Soloist Fabio Presgrave, cello. Soloist Fabio Zanon, guitar. Stefanie Quintin-Avila, soprano. Marlon Chen, conductor.
Sept. 7: “Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto,” a Filipino work for children’s choir and orchestra. With soloist Monica Bacus, violin, and a children’s choir. Aliw Theater, CCP Complex.
Sept. 27: “Dancing with Tchaikovsky.” Rococo Variations for Cello and Orchestra. Suite from the Ballet “Sleeping Beauty.” Damodar Das Castillo, cello. Alexander Vikulov, guest conductor. Aliw Theater.
Jan. 22, 2026: “The MSO 100th Anniversary Concert.” Samsung Theater, Circuit Makati. Muyu Liu, piano. Darrell Ang, guest conductor.
“Through these monumental works, the MSO continues to celebrate its mission of using music as a force for peace, unity, and healing,” Solares said.
