Manila Symphony Orchestra

This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources. Find sources: "Manila Symphony Orchestra" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (November 2007) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

This article contains wording that promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information. Please remove or replace such wording and instead of making proclamations about a subject's importance, use facts and attribution to demonstrate that importance. (July 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

The Manila Symphony Orchestra is one of the oldest orchestras in Asia. Founded by Dr. Alexander Lippay in 1926,^[1] the orchestra has played a major role in Philippine history, including acting as a symbol of resistance during the Second World War. Through the years, MSO has hosted artists Montserrat Caballé, Yehudi Menuhin, Igor Oistrakh, Eugene Istomin, Fou Ts'ong, Barry Tuckwell, Paul Badura-Skoda and Rony Rogoff, as well as conductors Andre Kostelanetz, Arthur Fiedler, Mendi Rodan, Robert Feist, Gareth Nair and Helen Quach. Today, the Manila Symphony Orchestra provides a showcase for young Filipino musical talent.

During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, the Manila Symphony Orchestra refused to perform as a protest and hid their instruments.^[2] In retaliation, the Japanese formed the New Philippines Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Francisco Santiago.^[3] Following the liberation of the Philippines in 1945, the Manila Symphony Orchestra was reformed by Dr. Herbert Zipper, who had survived the Nazi concentration camps before coming to the Philippines.^[4][5] Filipino musicians performed for American soldiers at the post-liberation army camps. Some of the musicians also toured the provinces and held special shows in hospital wards.^[6]

MSO has instituted two main programs intended to develop Filipino musical artistry and showcase Filipino musical talent, the "Young Artists’ Competitions" and the Luneta Concerts (known as “Concert in the Park”).^[7] The Manila Symphony Orchestra today has young musicians who are trained by the Philippine Research for Developing International Soloists (PREDIS), which was founded in 1985 by Basilio Manalo and Sister Mary Placid Abejo at St. Scholastica’s College.^[8] Filipino conductors have also taken the helm of the MSO, including Francisco Santiago, Basilio Manalo, and later Professor Arturo Molina.

At present the MSO is composed of around 60 musicians under the music direction of Prof. Arturo Molina. Many members the orchestra are young music students who are also enrolled in the different colleges and conservatories of music in the Metro Manila area. Many of these have been winners in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) and have represented the Philippines in various international music festivals and workshops.^[9]

• Herbert Zipper

In 2013 the MSO dedicated a song called 'The Elephant' to Mali, the only captive elephant in the Philippines currently at Manila Zoo. The performance was for PETA's campaign to free Mali and transfer her to Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary where whe will have access to proper medical care, room to roam and the company of other elephants (three things she has been denied for the 35 plus years she has been at the zoo).^[10]

• Manila Symphony Orchestra Official website

This article on a classical orchestra is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e