Sunday, June 30, 2019

WILLIAM ELVIN launches new album SACRED PROFANE MUNDANE



I first met William Elvin when he launched his own album back in 2013. He was already a familiar name to local Philippine theatre industry as song writer for stage productions like Maxie the Musical and Mula Sa Buwan. Six years later, he is now releasing his second album.


When William Elvin writes his music, he didn’t make his music systematically but draws his influences from the likes of Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan.

When asked if he ever consider doing an album for a mainstream record label, he considered it but he valued his artistic freedom because he does not want to be boxed in. The only feedback or input he values is from people he trusts. Also, a requirement of a record label is to have a huge number of followers.

If you have William’s first album, The DisConTechNoThisContent: The Musicalienation of William Elvin; you may notice that unlike any recording artist or song writer, his songs are more telling a story than just singing a love song just like the Beatles song, “Eleanor Rigby” which he also covered for the launch.

Just like many song writers, William Elvin writes songs during sadness, because he gets more inspiration from sad stories not just his own. William also adds that sadness is really a powerful emotion. He also does not want to write songs with socio-political statements that are direct like Tatsulok because he does not want to take sides not that he already has his own stand. But he would rather let the listener keep on listening to that kind of song and let him/her interpret it.

When not writing songs or not involved in a stage production, William Elvin works for a Hong Kong based PR firm.  Get a copy of William Elvin’s latest album, Sacred/Profane/Mundane from Spotify or williamelvin.com

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

PPO CELEBRATES 45TH ANNIVERSARY WITH CONCERT FEATURING JAPANESE VIOLINIST RYU GOTO

PRESS RELEASE
October 26, 2018


PPO CELEBRATES 45TH ANNIVERSARY WITH CONCERT FEATURING JAPANESE VIOLINIST RYU GOTO


The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra celebrates its 45th anniversary with a concert, featuring Japanese violinist-conductor Ryu Goto, on November 15, 2018, at 8pm, at the historic Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila City.
 
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With his impeccable technical credentials and an impressive musical flair, violinist-conductor Ryu Goto has established himself as a significant voice in classical music, with a large and growing following in Asia, North America and Europe.

Greatly influenced by electric guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Ryu is known for his aggressive, fiery style of playing.

Conductor Lorin Maazek once said that Ryu “has rightfully taken his place among the top echelon of today’s young performers.” Composer Tan Dun described Ryu as someone with “a deep understanding and appreciation of music coupled with natural talent, flair and impeccable technique make him a singularly world-class violinist and performer.”

Ryu began his profesional career at age seven when he made his debut at the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan, playing Paganini’s Violin Concerto No.1. In 2011, he graduated from Harvard University with a bacherlor’s degree in Physics, and is currently studying violin with Prof. Ana Chumachenco.

Since then, Ryu has appeared as a soloist with some of the world’s leading orchestras, including National Symphony Orchestra (DC), London Philharmonic, Münchner Philharmoniker, Wiener Symphoniker, Sydney Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Orchestre National de Lyon, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Hamburger Symphoniker and Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.

Ryu has performed in many of the world’s most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Tokyo Suntory Hall, Sydney Opera House, Shanghai Grand Theater, Taipei National Concert Hall, Vienna Musikverein, Munich’s Herkulessaal and the Philharmonic Hall Gasteig, performing with renowned conductors such as Lorin Maazel, Tan Dun, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Fabio Luisi, Leonard Slatkin, Kent Nagano, Myung-Whun Chung, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Andrés Orozco-Estrada and Jonathan Nott.

Early this year, Ryu celebrated Bernstein’s 100th anniversary with a performance of the composer's masterpiece “Serenade,” with the NHK Symphony Orchestra. In March, he joined the New York Philharmonic touring Asia, under the baton of Maestro Jaap van Zweden. In addition, Goto gave a tour of 10 sold-out recitals throughout Japan in the summer of 2018.

Aside from being a violin superstar among his generation, Ryu is known for his philanthropic works. He has been working with student musicians throughout the world, mentoring their development and conducting master classes in conjunction with the world’s top institutions. His efforts include the “Ryu Goto Excellence in Music Initiative Scholarship,” with the NYC Department of Education, as well as collaborations with institutions such as the Juilliard School and the Harvard Bach Society Orchestra. He does extensive musical outreach in developing countries in Latin America, Southeast Asia and Africa.

The younger brother of the violinist Midori has been popular in his home country Japan. He starred in his own documentary “Ryu Goto’s Odyssey," a chronicle of his career and personal life from 1996 to 2006. He served as spokesperson for the East Japan Railway Company. From October 2015 to March 2017, Ryu appeared in the TV Asahi’s weekly show Untitled Concert, which was listed in Guinness World Records as “the longest-running TV program for classical music.”

Ryu records for Deutsche Grammophon, in collaboration with Universal Classics Japan. A member of the US-Japan Council, Ryu has been honored with an award from the Japanese American Bar Association as a Japanese-American leader. He holds a 3rd degree black belt from the Japan Karate Association, and is fluent in multiple languages including English, Japanese, French and Chinese. Ryu performs on the Stradivarius 1722 violin “Jupiter” on loan to him from Nippon Music Foundation.

For his Philippine concert this November, Ryu will be performing and conducting Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Season and Antonin Dvorak's Symphony No. 8, Op. 88, in G Major. The concert is also in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Manila Cathedral.

This served as his second concert in the country. In 2016, Ryu was the guest performer when Maestro Yoshikazu Fukumura debuted as the PPO music director and principal conductor.

The PPO has also performed with Ryu, playing Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor, op. 64, during the recently concluded Asia Orchestra Week 2018, which happened in Tokyo and Kuji, Japan.

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Ayala Malls Solenad invites families to open their world with its Awaken Amazing Holiday Campaign


Ayala Malls Solenad is inviting families to open their world and celebrate holiday traditions old and new through its Awaken Amazing Holiday Campaign.


With its proximity to Tagaytay and its cool climate, plus wonderful outdoor spaces, Solenad is the ideal place to enjoy the outdoors and rediscover the magic of play and traditional games this holiday season. Marvel at playgrounds transformed with enchanting holiday décor and giant installations, breathe in the fresh air around the lake under the stars and enjoy the outdoors at the Activity Park. 

Solenad is a wonderful holiday getaway for families with its magical combination of both indoor and outdoor spaces. They can combine shopping for gifts with outdoor activities like biking and boat rides, then dine al-fresco at Solenad’s many restaurants to feel the great ‘ber months weather.

This holiday season, Solenad will be home to the cheeriest and merriest surprises through an exciting line-up of activities like the annual Festival of Lights and their first ever 3D mapping display. This Christmas is the perfect time to not only celebrate traditions but to create new ones as Solenad invites everyone to open their world and enjoy the outdoors in all its holiday splendor.

Check out Solenad’s holiday calendar and awaken your Christmas spirit with experiences and activities galore!

Shop at the Awaken Amazing Thrills and Deals Christmas Sale
Get the perfect gifts for your loved ones at the Awaken Amazing Thrills and Deals Christmas Sale happening this November 9-11, with offers of up to 50% off at participating stores. You won’t go home empty handed too as you get to pick a prize with every P1,000 purchase during the sale and get free gift wrapping.

Experience the Magic of Play through Awit at Laro
Catch musical performances from father and son duo, Gary Valenciano and Gab Valenciano, singer-songwriter Yeng Constantino, rising star Hannah Pangilinan, and classical performer Lara Maigue, as well as a special dance number from STEPS Dance Studio. You can also play traditional games at interactive booths at the Awit at Laro Mall Show happening on November 10, 6:00 PM at the Solenad Activity Park.

A project that celebrates the spirit of play, Awit at Laro draws inspiration from Filipino children’s games and aims to raise funds for UNICEF, Tukod Foundation and the Shining Light Foundation. With a vision of reintroducing traditional games to a new generation of youth through music and the arts, Awit at Laro is led by Gary Valenciano and Bambi Manosa with the help of over 100 artists. To get tickets, you may visit the Solenad Concierge starting November 3.
  
Awit at Laro will also be brought to life through the Larong Pinoy Installation. From November 17 – 24, Solenad will be full of colorful, larger than life displays of favorite Filipino games like kites, Tumbang Preso, Piko and more!

Let the Light Shine at Solenad’s Lantern Making Competition
Happening on November 24 – 25, Solenad’s Lantern Making Competition will transform the mall atrium into a festival of lights. Open to all residents of Laguna, contestants can submit their entry at Solenad from November 17 – 23. Lanterns will be on display starting November 24 and shoppers will also be treated to the “Let your Light Shine” Live Art Exhibition. 

The announcement and awarding of the winners will happen during a festive program on November 25 with musical performances from various groups. Interested shoppers can visit www.facebook.com/AyalaMallsSolenad for the complete contest mechanics.

Enjoy Heartwarming Holiday Performances
Be serenaded by heartwarming holiday music as Solenad offers vibrant holiday shows for everyone to enjoy.  Immerse yourself in the spirit of Christmas as internationally-awarded Manila Symphony Journey Orchestra is set to perform on November 11, 6:30 PM.  Sing along to your favorite Christmas songs at the Christmas Cantata happening on December 1, 4:30PM and December 22 -23, 6PM at the Solenad Activity Park or rock out to December Avenue as they perform live in Solenad on December 2, 7PM.

Experience Christmas with local holiday treats and items
Awaken your taste buds with delicacies from the CALABARZON area at the Department of Tourism’s Kain Na! Food Fair happening on December 7- 9. Expand your food horizons and try dishes from Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon and enjoy demos from local chefs, performances and more!

Give back in this Season of Giving
Make Christmas merry for those who deserve it the most and awaken the spirit of giving with Laruang Aguinaldo – Ayala Malls’ holiday toy drive for the benefit of UNICEF and Kids 4 Kids. Drop by  Red Tag by Rustans starting November 3 and Toys R Us from November 16 to December 16 and give kids more time to play, beyond Christmas.

Be dazzled by even bigger outdoor spectacles
While the fireworks and light shows have already become a tradition, Ayala Malls Solenad is making the season even more dazzling with 3D projection mapping shows happening from December 14 – 16 at the Solenad Activity Park. Created in partnership with Panasonic and inspired by the Filipino tradition of Simbang Gabi, awaken your senses and enjoy this all new show with your friends and family.

From wonderful shopping and dining, to heartwarming art installations, holiday decoration and merry musical performances, Solenad is giving families refreshing new ways to celebrate their holiday traditions. Awaken your senses and open your world this Christmas at Ayala Malls Solenad!

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Ben&Ben’s Success Train Shows No Signs of Slowing Down

Press release

Ben&Ben has been rapidly emerging as one of the country’s greatest musical acts. With hundreds of thousands of hearts captivated by Ben&Ben’s lyricism and masterful playing, accolades are bound to come their way and serve as testaments to the band’s relentless dedication to their craft.


The nine-piece indie folk band has recently found success in the form of chart-topping songs. Following the success of Dan Villegas’ “Exes Baggage” which raked in roughly P142 million in the first five days of its showing, Ben&Ben’s “Maybe the Night”Exes Baggage OST— rocketed to the number one spot of Spotify’s Philippines Top 50 chart and is heralded as one of the first English OPM songs to make it to the Top 10 of the said chart and the first English OPM song to hit the number one spot. It even surpassed “Kathang Isip” which has long been included in the Philippines Top 50 Chart and now sits at the number five spot. Joining “Maybe the Night” and “Kathang Isip” on the Philippines Top 50 chart is “Leaves” which currently sits at the 48thspot.

Other than having three songs in Spotify’s Philippines Top 50 chart, Ben&Ben also made it to Apple Music’s Top Charts with “Maybe the Night” taking the number two spot. Even with all the awards and recognition that the band has been receiving (Wish Awards, Awit Awards, etc.), they are not showing any signs of complacency and are working harder than ever to put more music out for people to connect with. The band performed six new songs last October 6 during their major concert with Clara Benin for Karpos Live.

Words by: Gwenn Marie Dimalanta/Sindikato Management

Karpos Live Link: http://karposlive.com/
Ben&Ben + Clara Benin FB event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/381355335707290/
Ben&Ben x Clara Benin Burnout Cover on FB: https://tinyurl.com/burnoutcover
Ben&Ben x Clara Benin Burnout Cover on YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYPkFrg7jYI

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

PPO PERFORMS WITH VIOLINIST KRISTINE CLAIR GALANO THIS OCTOBER

Press release

AFTER its successful season opener featuring French pianist Monique Duphil, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra gears up for its second concert this coming October 12, 8pm, at the CCP's Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater).


Under the baton of Maestro Yoshikazu Fukumura, PPO's music director and principal conductor, the Philippine premiere orchestra company will perform H. Berlioz’s Le Corsaire Overture and P.I. Tchaikovsky’s Symphony no. 4, Op. 36, F minor.

Featured guest soloist will be violinist Kristine Clair “KayCee” Uchi Galano, playing M. Bruch’s Violin Concerto no.1, Op. 26, G minor.

One of the leading young violinists of her generation, KayCee studied at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, under the tutelage of German violin instructor Kurt Sassmannshaus.

At 12, she was featured on National Public Radio’s “From The Top,” along with pianist Christopher O’Riley. Later that year, she performed Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D with the Metro Manila Concert Orchestra, under the baton of conductor Chino Toledo. At 14, KayCee joined pianist Rohan DeSilva on a concert tour in the USA, and with the Starling Chamber Orchestra in China.

The young Filipino pianist has performed concertos with various orchestras in Europe, China, North America, and in home country, the Philippines. Last summer, she joined the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, under Gerard Salonga, in their concert tour around the Philippines, performing Mozart’s A major Violin Concerto and other works.

In 2017, she performed the Korngold Violin Concerto with the Jena Philharmonic, conducted by GMD Markus L. Frank, at the 58th Weimar Masterclasses in Weimar, Germany.

KayCee won First Prize at the Malaysian Youth Music Festival and at the Great Wall Violin Concerto Competition in Beijing, performing the Brahms Violin Concerto. She has participated in the Queenstown Violin Summer School in New Zealand, and the Weimar Master Classes in Germany. She took part at the Innsbrook Institute of Music and the Bowdoin International Music Festival, and performed at the Great Wall International Music Academy in Beijing.


Saturday, September 1, 2018

PPO TO PARTICIPATE IN ASIA ORCHESTRA WEEK IN JAPAN

PRESS RELEASE
August 31, 2018


PPO TO PARTICIPATE IN ASIA ORCHESTRA WEEK IN JAPAN

THE Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) brings Filipino musicality and artistry in the world stage through the Asia Orchestra Week 2018, happening on October 2 to 7, 2018 in Kuji and Tokyo, Japan.


This will be the second time the PPO has been invited to participate in the Asia Orchestra Week. The Philippine orchestras first joined the international event in 2002.

This year, the PPO will perform on October 4 at the Kuji Amber Hall, and on October 6 at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall.

The PPO will perform together with Gunma Symphony Orchestra on October 4, 6p.m. (Japan Time) in Kuji. Under the baton of conductor Naoto Otomo, the Japanese orchestra will play Mozart’s Symphony no. 35. in D Major.


Afterwards, the PPO, led by its music director and principal conductor Maestro Yoshikazu Fukumura, will perform Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor, with violinist Ryu Goto, who is set to perform with the Philippine orchestra in Manila on November 15 as part of its regular concert season.

The Kuji concert will culminate with the collaborative performance of the PPO and the Gunma Symphony, playing Brahms’ Symphony no. 1 in C minor.

For the Tokyo concert on October 6, 2p.m. (Japan Time), the PPO will perform Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez, Rossini’s Semiramide Overture, and Manuel de Falla's The Three-Cornered Hat, with guest soloist guitarist Kiyoshi Shomura.

Apart from performing at the orchestra week, the PPO's string quartet will also conduct outreach program in Kuji, with the aim to encourage and bring healing to the students as well as the people who lost their houses in the tsunami.


Established in 2002, the Asia Orchestra Week aims to articulate the importance of classical music in modern society and continue its development and expansion. It is organized by Association of Japanese Symphonic Orchestras, through the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan.

The Association - comprise of 34 orchestra members - works to encourage cooperation among Japanese professional orchestras and conduct researches and studies on orchestra management. It also provides training for those who are associated with orchestral music, and promotes and popularize the orchestral music through international exchange in order to contribute to the development of Japanese musical culture.

Sunday, August 12, 2018

KIDS ARE TAKING OVER IV OF SPADES, BEN&BEN

Press release

Two of the hottest OPM acts, IV of Spades and Ben & Ben are recently featured on the YouTube series, “Kids Takeover”. First of the two-part program is ‘One on One’ which as its title would suggest, shows kids throwing all questions they want under the sun and reacting to most of the bands’ answers:

Kid: “Ilang taon na po kayo?”
Blaster: “Ako, eighteen.”
Kid: “Ikaw?” (pointing to Badjao)
Badjao: “Twenty-three.”

If you didn’t laugh at this then we don’t know what would make you. If you’re the kind who just loves the music of these bands, then you wouldn’t miss the second part which is the actual kids’ ‘takeover’ of the hits, ‘Mundo’ by IV of Spades and Ben & Ben’s ‘Kathang Isip’. The former, a ukulele spin off which also features the three-piece band turning into a six-piece one has been released on the second week of the series while the latter is yet to come out this Friday, August 24th.


Meanwhile, the same channel behind ‘Kids Takeover’ also gave fans of YouTube cover darling, Ysabelle Cuevas, the chance to get their fan request granted at #DearWMPhThe request was for Ysabelle to cook Bibimbap in a way that’s “kasing sarap ng mga covers na ginagawa mo,” quoting the fan message that refers to the singer’s love for all things Korean and her heavily-viewed song covers. Request leveled up when there were just ingredients but no recipe. Can Dua Lipa grant our fan requests too? Hope yes! View the step-by-step fan request sending here. Doesn’t hurt to try, eh?



What do you think of all the series and who do you want to get featured next? Let us know below! If you haven’t watched any of these episodes yet, you can check them out on the official YouTube channel of Warner Music Philippines:https://wmp.lnk.to/youtube.