After an excellent display of Filipino artistry in its recently concluded tour in the United Kingdom, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) exhibits its adaptable musicality for its 41st concert season, dubbed “VERSATILE.”

With the commanding presence of conductor Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, this concert season serves as a brilliant reminder of the PPO’s four decades of musical prowess.

Welcome the music season with CONCERT I: OUVERTURE on September 12, 2025. With acclaimed pianist Andrey Gugnin, the orchestra opens with Antonin Dvořák’s Carnival Overture, op.92, Sergei Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 and Johannes Brahms’ Symphony no. 4, op.98, E minor.

On September 19, 2025, a reprise of the PPO’s repertoire for its UK Tour is in store for the audiences with CONCERT II: LE RETOUR. The celebration continues with Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Suite Waltz and concludes with Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony no. 5, op.67, C minor. Catch PPO’s very own guest concertmaster and artist-in-residence Diomedes Saraza Jr. on violin for Georges Bizet’s Carmen Suite No. 1 and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending.

CONCERT III: CONCERTO beautifully sustains the momentum on October 17, 2025. World-renowned cellist Tomasz Strahl, together with the PPO, plays Robert Schumann’s Cello Concerto, op. 129, A minor and Witold Lutoslawski’s Concerto for Orchestra. Also catch the world premiere of Creation Fugue and Arctic Chase (from opera Frankenstein) by PPO’s composer-in-residence, Jeffrey Ching.

Wander through the classical and romantic period in CONCERT IV: VIRTUOSO on November 14, 2025. Witness famed pianist Mark Bebbington and the orchestra travel back in time with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Don Giovanni Overture, Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor” and Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition (arr. Gorchakov).

CONCERT V: PRELUDI astonishes with majestic melodies on January 16, 2026. With Spanish-Filipino singer Andion Fernandez and piano prodigy Szymon Nehring, welcome the new year with Ching’s Fenghuang Singing, Frédéric Chopin’s Piano Concerto no. 1, op. 11,  E minor, and Franz Liszt’s Les Préludes.

On February 13, 2026, fall in love with CONCERT VI: ROMANZA. Catch the world premiere of Mozart’s unfinished concerto Concerto for violin and piano K. Anh. 56/315f / as completed by Ching. Henri Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor and Maurice Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2 complete the romantic repertoire. Violinist Bartek Nizioł graces the stage with his bel canto style alongside international pianist Junhee Kim.

British Spinto soprano Katerina Mina joins the PPO in CONCERT VII: OPERA on March 13, 2026. Witness their spectacular performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s La forza del destino: Overture and La forza del destino: Pace, pace mio Dio, Umberto Giordano’s Andrea Chénier – La Mamma Morta, Giacomo Puccini’s Adagietto in F Major and Tosca: Vissi d’arte, and Stephan Hodel’s Angel of Fire. Jerry Dadap’s Symphony No. 5, ‘The Wrath of Prakṛti (nature) & Ragatmika-Bhakti (devotion) also makes its world premiere.

In CONCERT VIII: CODA, the season comes to a close with Dmitri Shostakovich’s music on April 17, 2026. Saraza plays the violin in Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, op.96, Violin Concerto No. 1, and Symphony No. 5, op.47.

While celebrating the orchestra’s 41 years, Versatile presents the PPO as a musical chameleon traversing through centuries. Led by Maestro Nowak, the PPO also cements its glorious reputation of being the nation’s premier orchestra in its 41st concert season.

Concerts I, III, VII, and VIII of Versatile take place at The Metropolitan Theatre in Manila, while Concert IV will be held at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City. Venues for Concerts II, V, and VI are to be announced. Tickets are priced at Php3,000, Php2,500, Php2,000, Php1,500, Php800, and Php500.

For more updates on PPO’s 41st concert season, visit the CCP’s official website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph). You also follow the CCP’s pages on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more information.