PPO Spotlight: Virtual Pocket Performances

Series 2

February 19, 2021 | 8 PM UTC+08

Cultural Center of the Philippines
CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, 1300 Pasay City, Philippines

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) continues to bring you delightful, soothing, and uplifting music with The PPO Spotlight: Virtual Pocket Performances, a new series of series of online performances or “virtual pocket concerts” that puts the spotlight on PPO member musicians. The program consists of solo and ensemble performances, recorded by PPO musicians from their own homes. A diverse repertoire composed of classical music, popular tunes, OPM, and other familiar melodies is in store for your enjoyment!

Here’s the line-up for this series:

1. Lately by Stevie Wonder
Played by: Melvin Miranda, Trumpet

“Lately” is a song by American singer Stevie Wonder recorded for his album “Hotter than July” (1980). The song later reached number three in the United Kingdom. The song is performed with piano, bass and voice only and deals with a person that suspects his lover of cheating on him. The final key change in the chorus is again a breakthrough musically for Pop music in the way that it modulates from the original key up 3 keys higher. It finally ends in yet another minor key leaving the listener wondering if the inevitable breakup of the couple has occurred or has the lover singing the song decided to stick it out, suffering and all.

2. True Colors
Played by: Jose Carlo Tuazo, Violin; Toto Sorioso, Guitar

“True Colors” is a song written by American songwriters Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly and it was originally sang by Cyndi Lauper. In 2016, a new version was performed by Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick for the animated film “Trolls”. The song is about not being afraid showing ones true color, in other words, being oneself. It talks about how life can be tough and hard to bear but instead of trying to fit into society, being oneself is what matters most.

3. Part of Your World by Alan Menken & Howard Ashman
Played by: Ayesa Cruz, Violin; Madeline Jane Banta, Harp

Written by Disney dream team Alan Menken (composer) and Howard Ashman (lyricist), this Broadway-style ballad is a center piece of The Little Mermaid. Ariel, played by Jodi Benson, rejects all of her material possessions and longs to experience life above water with humans. Despite the song title, Ariel doesn’t actually sing about being part of “your” world but part of “that” world. The song also inspired the tone for the rest of the music in the film. He continued: “My favorite part is that motif [that sounds like] water flowing, which beautifully set up the tone and became the central theme.

4. Hahanapin Ko by Jose Mari Chan
Played by: Christian Tan, Violin 1; Ma. Angelica Uson, Violin 2; Ferdinand Dumlao, Viola; Herrick Ortiz, Cello

Hahanapin Ko is written by Jose Mari Chan and sung by Anthony Castelo from his album “Hanggang Ngayon” released in 2009. It talks about longing for the person you love, whatever the situation is. It is about searching for reasons for ones love to last.

Get up close and personal with the members of the PPO as they bring you delightful music that highlights the range, power, and beauty of their instrument!