Tuesday, October 31, 2017

I REMEMBER A BOY AN ORIGINAL MUSICAL REVUE FEATURING CLASSIC OPM HITS

Press release

AN ORIGINAL MUSICAL REVUE FEATURING CLASSIC OPM HITS SET ON NOV. 11 - 12


When the going gets tough, where do you get your strength?

Artist Playground’s Playlist TRACK 2 proudly presents I REMEMBER A BOY - an original musical revue featuring OPM’s most classic hits on Nov. 11 – 12 at Arts Above located at West Venue Bldg., 112 West Avenue, QC.


Made by Millenials, for Millenials, AP’s Playlist, Track 2: I Remember A Boy, is about a group of friends who reunite at a cafe they once frequented when they were still college students. They shall recall how their friendship came together, how they fell in love and fell apart. While reminiscing on their past - remembering the best and worst memories - they unearth feelings which were once laid to rest.  With ties severed and hearts broken through the years, will this short reunion allow them to rekindle old flames and begin anew?

This fresh yet nostalgic story of love and friendship that transcends time will be featuring six young, experienced and talented performing artists: Kathleen Francisco, Cathrine Go, Philippe Go, Joe Henson, Mariella Laurel and Miko Manguba.

With musical direction by award-winning Jesse Lucas, I REMEMBER A BOY will relive to the younger audience the beautiful and meaningful melodies of classic OPM hits dating from the 70s to the 90s.

I Remember A Boy is presented by the ALM Foundation, co-presented by South Hub Productions, Hues n Cues Lighting Design and Mismo Studio, with its major sponsors: Elle Battung and Sandstone Productions; and minor sponsors: Andrea Zubiri Photography, Nina Carlos Makeup.
Show Dates and Schedule:
November 11 (Saturday) : 7PM- 9:30 PM
November 12 (Sunday) ) : 7PM- 9:30 PM

Ticket Price: Php 800.00, inclusive of one (1) drink;
Php 600.00 for students, senior citizens and PWD, inclusive of  one (1) drink
Tickets are available at Ticketworld. At https://goo.gl/rkihRE

PROMO: Buy 5 Get 1 Free, for regular priced ticket (Php 800) until Nov 5, call Kim at 0975 919 3179

The Cast
Kathleen Francisco as Shayne
Cathrine Go as Kate
Philippe Go as Eero
Jose Henson as Carlos
Mariella Laurel as Ellie
Miko Manguba as David

Production Team
Director: Mariella Laurel
Musical Director: Jesse Lucas
Writer: Ayu Martinez
Artistic Director: Roeder Camanag
Choreographer: Gerhard Krysstopher Pagunsan
Technical Director: Juan Carlo Martin Pacheco
Lights Designer: Joseph G. Matheu
Sound Designer: Willy Munji
Production Designer: Mia De Leoz
Production Design Team: Isabel Daza and Micah Andrea De Leon
Production Managers: Kimberly Claire Somoza (Artist Playground) and Mariella Laurel (South Hub Productions)
Marketing Manager and Artistic Consultant: Kathleen Francisco
Stage Manager and Asst. Production Manager: Tasha Guerrero
Photoshoot Team
Make Up Artist and Hair Styling: Nina Carlos (Nina Carlos Makeup)
Photography: Andrea Zubiri (Andrea G Zubiri Photography)
Layout and illustrations: Elle Battung
Video Shoot Team
Director/Director of Photography: JB Estrada
Assistant Director: LJ Flores


Friday, October 20, 2017

CHARLIE PUTH NEW MUSIC VIDEO SINGLE “HOW LONG” RELEASE

Press release

CHARLIE PUTH DELIVERS AN UNFORGETTABLE PERFORMANCE
IN NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR SINGLE “HOW LONG”

SECOND SINGLE FROM SOPHOMORE ALBUM VOICENOTES
BECOMES MOST-ADDED SONG AT POP RADIO IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING RELEASE

WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY PUTH, “HOW LONG”
FOLLOWS THE RIAA PLATINUM CERTIFIED NO. 1 SMASH “ATTENTION”

VOICENOTES IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER AND ARRIVES EVERYWHERE JANUARY 19TH

WATCH “HOW LONG” HERE: https://atlanti.cr/howlong
PRE-ORDER VOICENOTES HERE: https://Atlantic.lnk.to/VoiceNotesPR



“The once tightly controlled pop-soul singer is maturing with a robust second act full of bruises. Following his sinister thumper ‘Attention’ comes ‘How Long,’ a sweet song that masks pulsing sadness at every turn.”
-THE NEW YORK TIMES

Today, Multi-GRAMMY® nominated singer/songwriter/producer Charlie Puth unveiled a compelling new visual for his single “How Long,” which is available now at all music retailers and streaming services. Download/Stream HERE. “How Long” marks the second single released from Puth’s highly-anticipated sophomore album, VoiceNotes, and the follow-up to 2016’s RIAA Platinum certified debut album, Nine Track MindVoiceNotes arrives January 19th and is available now for pre-order HERE.

The companion video for “How Long” finds the hit maker embracing the humor and humility of dancing. Per Charlie, this is the first video he felt he could step outside of his comfort zone and have fun doing it.

How Long” was solely produced by Puth and written with collaborators Jacob Kasher (Attention) and Justin Franks (See You Again). With Puth as the sole producer on “How Long,” he’s giving fans another taste of the tone he’s setting for VoiceNotes. Puth announced the album title VoiceNotes during a visit to the TODAY show earlier this summer; watch him explain the meaning here.

Last week, Puth celebrated his forthcoming album with a run of high-profile national TV performances supporting his RIAA Platinum-certified summer smash single Attention,” with appearances on The Late Late Show with James CordenThe Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Talk.

“How Long” follows “Attention,” which was released earlier this year and went on to become Puth’s first No. 1 at US Pop Radio, holding the top position four weeks in a row, in addition to peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 where it remained for three weeks straight. After earning RIAA Platinum certification less than 16 weeks after its release, “Attention” is officially Puth’s most successful single to date. The official video has also become Charlie’s highest performing solo video to date, reaching over 500 million views.

Both written and produced by Puth, “Attention” has garnered critical praise with the NY Times declaring it “a savage takedown rendered in pinpoint 1980s soft-soul haze smacked hard by glossy funk,” while Billboard touted it as “a polished, groove-injected first taste from his upcoming sophomore album.”

Since the release of “Attention,” Puth has performed the single on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Voice, during Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular and as part of The TODAY Show’s Citi Concert Series. “Attention” went on to be remixed by several major artists, including two massive remixes by David Guetta and KYLE. Throughout the reign of Attention this summer, Puth joined Shawn Mendes on the road for an arena tour, and saw fans filling the entire room each night, singing along to every song he performed during his opening set.


MORE ON CHARLIE PUTH:

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Cecile Licad Chopin in the Key of C

Press release

RUSTAN’S, a leader in luxury and renowned supporter of culture and the arts, along with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Philippine Italian Association, in cooperation with The Peninsula Manila, Lexus and L’Opera Ristorante Italiano celebrates its legacy and 65th anniversary with a fitting concert that highlights world-class Filipino talent with “Cecile Licad Chopin in the Key of C.”


To be held on October 27, 2017, Friday at 8:00 PM at the CCP Main Theater, the concert will feature the timeless classics-Chopin’s Concerto No.1 in E Minor and Chopin’s Concerto No. 2 in F Minor which will be brought to life through the impressive musicality of multi-awarded classical pianist Cecile Licad.  The PPO will play Genoveva’s Overture as opening number under the baton of Olivier Ochanine.

Licad, who became one of the youngest musicians to receive the prestigious Leventritt Gold Medal at 19 years old, discovered her passion for music at the age of three and found a mentor in Rosario Picazo. At seven years old, she debuted as a soloist with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

Cecile Licad reunites with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of former Music Director and Principal Conductor, Olivier Ochanine, who will lend a dramatic backdrop to her moving notes.

“I’m so greatly honored to be part of Rustan’s impressive 65th anniversary. After traveling the world and performing on different stages before different audiences, it feels good to be home and to play for my fellow Filipinos,” says Licad. “I hope to move, delight and inspire all those who come to listen.”

Proceeds from the concert will all go to the San Pablo Apostol Parish Church in Tondo, Manila under the stewardship of an Italian priest, Fr. Carlo Bittante of the Canossian Sons of Charity, one of the three Italian Missionary-run charities supported by the Philippine Italian Association.

Tickets are available at P5,000, P3,000,  P1,000, and P500.

For ticket sales or other inquiries, interested parties can contact the CCP Box Office through 832-3704 or 06 and TicketWorld through 891-9999 or visit the CCP website via www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

“THE STAR” SOUNDTRACK ALBUM RELEASES FIRST TRACK “LIFE IS GOOD”

Press release

C O L U M B I A  P I C T U R E S

THE STAR” SOUNDTRACK ALBUM RELEASES FIRST TRACK “LIFE IS GOOD”


In anticipation of the worldwide release of Sony Pictures Animation’s animated motion picture The Star, in Philippine cinemas December 6, Epic Records and Sony Pictures Animation will release The Star: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack in stores and online October 27.

The soundtrack assembles new music from a bevy of powerhouse superstars befitting of the cast’s blockbuster pedigree. Leading the tracklisting, Mariah Carey performs the film’s theme song “The Star.”

The first track for instant grat is “Life is Good” by A Great Big World. Watch the song's lyric video here at http://youtu.be/hH9LbKQCbRw.

Following that, Fifth Harmony will release “Can You See”.

In addition, Kirk Franklin, Kelsea Ballerini, Zara Larsson, and more serve up new tracks recorded specifically for The Star. Each artist got into the spirit with show-stopping and standout performances.

Spring Aspers, Head of Music for Sony Pictures, commented, “The filmmakers of The Star have delivered a funny but faithful turn on the nativity story, and Mariah Carey’s soulful performance of the film’s theme song adds a layer of depth and emotion that will have audiences feeling the spirit. This compilation is full of Christmas classics old and new that not only perfectly fit the film, but make the perfect soundtrack for the season.”

Check out the full tracklisting below.

1.Mariah Carey – “The Star”
2.Kelsea Ballerini – “Children Go Where I Send You”
3.Kirk Franklin – “We Three Kings”
4.Fifth Harmony – “Can You See”
5.A Great Big World – “Life Is Good”
6.Zara Larsson – “Mary, Did You Know”
7.Yolanda Adams – “O Holy Night”
8.Saving Forever – “What Christmas Means to Me”
9.Jessie James Decker – “Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song)”
10.Casting Crowns – “His Eye Is on the Sparrow”
11.Jake Owen – “What Child Is This?”
12.Pentatonix – “Carol of the Bells”*

*digital-only bonus track

In Sony Pictures Animation's The Star, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a loveable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become unlikely heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.

The film stars the voices of Steven Yeun, Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Keegan-Michael Key, Kelly Clarkson, Anthony Anderson, Aidy Bryant, Ving Rhames, Gabriel Iglesias, Patricia Heaton, Kristin Chenoweth, Christopher Plummer, and Tracy Morgan and Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey. Directed by Timothy Reckart, the screenplay is by Carlos Kotkin, with a story by Simon Moore and Carlos Kotkin. The film is executive produced by DeVon Franklin, Brian Henson, and Lisa Henson, and produced by Jennifer Magee-Cook.

The Star is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

Friday, October 6, 2017

CHARLIE PUTH DROPS NEW SINGLE “HOW LONG”

Press release

INTERNATIONAL POP SUPERSTAR UNVEILS SECOND SINGLE FROM SOPHOMORE ALBUM VOICENOTES
VOICENOTES IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER AND ARRIVES EVERYWHERE JANUARY 19TH

LISTEN TO “HOW LONG” HERE: https://warner.link/howlongsp
Pre-Order Voicenotes: https://warner.link/howlongit
DOWNLOAD ALL CHARLIE PUTH PRESS ASSETS HERE

“’Attention’ has become one of the biggest pop anthems of 2017...
If the rest of VoiceNotes follows suit, fans have a lot to look forward to.” – COMPLEX

Today, Multi-GRAMMY® nominated singer/songwriter/producer Charlie Puth has officially unveiled his new single “How Long,” which is available now at all music retailers and streaming services. Download/StreamHERE. “How Long” marks the second single released from Puth’s highly-anticipated sophomore album,VoiceNotes, and the follow-up to 2016’s RIAA Platinum certified debut album, Nine Track Mind. Puth has also announced the release date for VoiceNotes, which arrives January 19th and is available now for pre-order HERE.


How Long” was solely produced by Puth and written with collaborators Jacob Kasher (Attention) and Justin Franks (See You Again). With Puth as the sole producer on “How Long,” he’s giving fans another taste of the tone he’s setting for VoiceNotes. Puth announced the album title VoiceNotes during a visit to the TODAY show earlier this summer; watch him explain the meaning here.

Next week, Puth will celebrate his forthcoming album with yet another run of high-profile national TV performances supporting his RIAA Platinum-certified summer smash single Attention,” with appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres ShowThe Late Late Show with James Corden, and The Talk.

Attention was released earlier this year and went on to become Puth’s first No. 1 at US Pop Radio, holding the top position four weeks in a row, in addition to peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 where it also remained for three weeks straight. After earning RIAA Platinum certification less than 16 weeks after its release, “Attention” is officially Puth’s most successful single to date. The official video has also become Charlie’s highest performing solo video to date, reaching nearly 500 million views.

Both written and produced by Puth, “Attention” has garnered critical praise with the NY Times declaring it “a savage takedown rendered in pinpoint 1980s soft-soul haze smacked hard by glossy funk,” whileBillboard touted it as “a polished, groove-injected first taste from his upcoming sophomore album.”

Since the release of “Attention,” Puth has performed the single on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,The Voice, during Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular and as part of The TODAY Show’s Citi Concert Series. “Attention” went on to be remixed by several major artists, including two massive remixes by David Guetta and KYLE. Throughout the reign of Attention this summer, Puth joined Shawn Mendes on the road for an arena tour, and saw fans filling the entire room each night, singing along to every song he performed during his opening set.

Along with the pre-order of VoiceNotes comes the arrival of exclusive VoiceNotes merchandise bundles which are available now at Puth’s official online store. Packages include an autographed VoiceNoteslithograph, limited to 300 worldwide, as well as a free VoiceNotes sticker for the first 250 physical orders. Also included are “Soundwave” rose-gold bracelets and pullover hoodies.

New Jersey-born multi-Platinum and multiple GRAMMY® Award-nominated artist, songwriter, and producer Charlie Puth catapulted to superstardom in 2016 at light speed. He maintained this perpetual motion with the now RIAA Platinum-certified 2017 single “Attention,” which The New York Times called “a savage takedown rendered in pinpoint 1980s soft-soul haze smacked hard by glossy funk.” The song cracked 3 million Spotify streams in just a week, and its sexy music video racked up over 3 million views in under 24 hours.

Puth’s RIAA Platinum-certified first album NINE TRACK MIND made a remarkable chart debut upon its 2016 release, hitting #5 on Billboard’s Top Current Albums Chart, fueled by the 2x RIAA Platinum-certified top 40 smashes, “One Call Away” and “Marvin Gaye (featuring Meghan Trainor),” as well as the 3x RIAA Platinum-certified “We Don’t Talk Anymore (featuring Selena Gomez).” A worldwide phenomenon, the album reached #1 on iTunes charts in 28 countries around the globe.

Puth fully exploded onto the music scene as a songwriter, producer and vocalist on Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again,” the emotional tribute to Paul Walker in “FURIOUS 7.” The song has officially entered the history books as one of the decade’s biggest singles, topping Billboard’s Hot 100 for a stunning 12 weeks and has become YouTube’s “second most popular video of all-time” with 2.1 billion-plus views. It won two BillboardMusic Awards, a Critic’s Choice Award for “Best Song,” a Hollywood Film Award, 2 Teen Choice Awards, a Golden Globe® Award nomination in the category of “Best Original Song” and three GRAMMY® Award nods, including the prestigious “Song of the Year.”

MORE ON CHARLIE PUTH:

PRESS MATERIALS:

Thursday, October 5, 2017

HK Cellist Ray Wang Plays Lalo’s Cello Concerto in D Minor with the PPO

By Michele T. Logarta

INTERNATIONAL cellist and renowned music teacher Ray Wang  has always loved French composer Edouard Lalo’s Cello Concerto in D minor for its charm and demands on musical technique. 
    

          But Wang’s attachment to the Cello Concerto is more a sentimental one. 

          “It's a piece I love both for its tone and personal reason. Because I played this Concerto a lot with my mother when I was learning it at a younger age,” Wang, whose father also played the cello, explained.

          Wang will play this piece with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) on October 13, 8 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. 

          Wang expressed the hope that Filipino music lovers will come and listen to the Cello Concerto that has long played second fiddle to the composer’s most famous work for the violin, "Symphonie Espagnole".

          “Perhaps it will attract those who know about his violin concerto and also wish to hear more of his music and come away finding out more (about the) Spanish style of this French composer,” Wang said. 

          Wang’s October performance marks his second with the PPO since 2013 and yet another, in a series of past collaborations, with PPO Music Director Yoshikazu Fukumura.

          “I am excited to be invited back to perform with the PPO,” said Wang.  “PPO is a great Orchestra and I remember the Orchestra as a happy ensemble with spirit. I also have some colleagues from the days when we worked together with Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. I also look forward to seeing some of my former students again in October.”

           “I met Maestro some time ago when he conducted the HK Philharmonic Orchestra and remained in touch. I played for him for quite a number of concerts back then.  Beethoven’s "Choral Fantasy" still remains my fondest memory,” Wang recalled.

          Wang has performed in musical centers and festivals in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau. His performances have taken him also to Chicago, Cremona, Florence, Havana, Ho Chi Minh City, London, Luxembourg, Manila, New York, Saarbrucken, Segovia, Vancouver and Verona. In addition to being an active performer of chamber music, he is also a sought after soloist who has performed with conductors and orchestras such as Yang Yang, Krzysztof  Penderecki, Macau Orchestra, Solistas de La Habana, Cellistra, Taipei Symphony Orchestra and the Guang Zhou Symphony Orchestra.

          Wang is a founding member of the Hong Kong Virtuosi Society. He describes the group as an ensemble comprised of friends that got together to play chamber music with mixed instruments---such as sextet, octet and Nonet and mixed with winds and strings. 
“Occasionally we also invite conductors to do demanding works such as chamber version of the Mahler's Symphony and Strauss' "Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme". It's a self-funded group and therefore we often play only at the invitation of others,” Wang added.

         Wang also serves as a music faculty member of the Baptist University and Chinese University of Hong Kong.  He has taught at many schools including Fu Jen Catholic University of Taiwan, National Taiwan Normal University, Tainan University of Technology, Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Singapore and Music Conservatories in Beijing, Giangzhou, Shanghai and Wuhan in China.

          He is the Head of Junior Music Department and Senior Lecturer in Strings at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.  Wang has had many students who later went on to win top prizes in international competitions and establish successful careers.

          Students today are much better informed with learning material, Wang said. “So, the demand of technical ability can be obtained with much better access and understanding. What I share with students are the demand of disciplines, time management and to also develop a broader repertoire base. I am fortunate to have the background of playing first desk of a symphony orchestra and chamber music groups, which adds to the variety of choices to students."

          More than his knowledge and mastery of the cello, it is probably his love for the instrument that infuses his teaching and performance practice. 

          “Truly speaking, I grew up with the cello because my father was a cellist. I wasn't a perfect child and practicing is what I learned to enjoy at a much later time. I am glad that I didn't drop it…” Wang recounted.  “Practicing makes me love it (the cello) more these days versus learning to play it at a younger age. It's like one can learn to use the same word for different times and phrases.”

For concert tickets, please call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 and Ticketworld at National Bookstore at 891-9999.  For inquiries and subscriptions to the PPO 2017-2018 performance season, please call the CCP Marketing Department at 832-1125 local 1806.