The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, under music director Olivier Ochanine, opens its fifth season with a concert on Jan. 25, 8 p.m., at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). PPO associate concertmaster Dino Decena is featured artist.
The PPO will perform New Work for Violin and Orchestra, especially written by Ryan Cayabyab for the group’s 40th anniversary. Program also includes Wagner’s “Siegfried Idyll,” and Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 1 “Spring.”
Decena came from a family of musicians. He started his formal training at the age of 5 under the tutelage of Rosario Cruz. At 7, he was granted a scholarship by Philippine Research for Developing Instrumental Soloists to train under world-renowned violinist Basilio Manalo.
In 1986, Decena won the National Music Competition for Young Artists (Namcya). In that same year, he was the featured soloist of Predis Orchestra under the baton of Manalo.
Decena’s versatile musical talent extends to playing the viola. In 1998, he became the viola principal of Manila Symphony Orchestra II. The following year, he was one of the featured violists in the Bamboo Organ Festival together with Maestro Oscar Yatco and former energy minister Geronimo Velasco.
He finished his musical training at St. Scholastica’s College under the direction of professor Gina Medina.
Decena teaches violin at St. Paul College Manila, Ryan Cayabyab Music School and Chinese International School Manila.
Next PPO concert is on Feb. 22 with guest artists Korean soprano Hyunah Yu and Filipino tenor Arthur Espiritu.
Tickets are P1,000, P800, P500, P350 and P200, with discounts available to students, senior citizens and groups. Subscription packages are also available. Call the CCP Marketing Department tel. 8321125 loc. 1806; CCP Box Office, 8323704; or Ticketworld at National Book Store, 8919999.
