THE HISTORIC concert of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall on June 18 takes on added significance because this year marks the 125th anniversary of the concert venue.
Some of the world’s most famous orchestras and singers, from Frank Sinatra to The Beatles, have performed at Carnegie Hall.
This concert will have acclaimed New York-based Filipino pianist Cecile Licad performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the PPO.
When Carnegie Hall opened 125 years ago, the first musical piece performed was a Tchaikovsky composition, with the composer himself conducting the performance.
Another featured soloist will be the Filipino virtuoso violinist Diomedes Saraza.
Interestingly, the main auditorium at Carnegie Hall is named after the famous violinist Isaac Stern in recognition of his sterling efforts to save the hall from demolition in the 1960s.
Carnegie Hall is reputed to have the best acoustics of any concert venue in the world. You will enjoy the same sound performance from any of the 2,804 seats in the main auditorium spread over five levels.
The main auditorium is also one of the highest concert halls in the world, and concert-goers with tickets to the top balcony need to climb 137 steps to get to their seats. (All the other levels can be reached by elevator.)
Indeed, the PPO New York concert, with Olivier Ochanine as conductor, is historic in more ways than one.