The Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation Inc. and Standard Insurance in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil through Guimarães Rosa Institute (IGR) and the Embassy of Brazil in Manila proudly present Brazilian Guitar and Cello on 7:30 PM Saturday, August 9, 2025 at the Bayanihan Hall, Creative Arts Centre of British School Manila, located at BGC Taguig City.

The featured artists are Fabio Zanon for the guitar, Fabio Presgave for the cello, Stephanie Quinton as soprano, and Marlon Chen as conductor.

Repertoire

PART 1 

1. Bachianas Brasileiras No. 7: I. Prelúdio (Ponteio) by Heitor Villa-Lobos – composed in 1942, Villa-Lobos’s Bachianas Brasileiras No. 7 blends Baroque structure with Brazilian folk rhythms and rich harmonies, transforming the traditional ponteio into a lyrical, orchestrated prelude.

2. Concierto de Cámara for Guitar, Cello, Soprano, and Strings by Jeffrey Ching – Jeffrey Ching’s Concerto da Camera is a symbolic ‘quintuple concerto’ representing the five nationalities of its original performers (German, Lithuanian, Brazilian, Spanish, and Chinese) blending their musical traditions through abstract and figurative elements.

PART 2

1. Concerto No. 4 for Guitar and String Orchestra by Radamés Gnattali – Radamés Gnattali’s Concerto No. 4 (1969), written for Carlos Barbosa-Lima, blends classical form with samba, choro, and bossa nova in a lyrical, jazz-infused work where the guitar and strings interact in a fluid, chamber-like texture.

2. Le Grand Tango for Cello and String Orchestra by Astor Piazolla – composed in 1982 for Mstislav Rostropovich, Astor Piazzolla’s Le Grand Tango fuses classical technique with the bold rhythms of nuevo tango in a single, intense movement that highlights the cello’s agility and emotional range.

3. Ária and Dança from Bachianas Brasileiras – No. 4 (for Orchestra) by Heitor Villa-Lobos. 

4. Heitor Villa-Lobos’s Bachianas Brasileiras – No. 4 (1930/1942) blends Baroque techniques with Brazilian folk elements, as heard in the lyrical Ária, evoking Brazil’s interior, and the lively Dança, rooted in native dance—showcasing his signature fusion of European form and local expression.

Artist Profile

Fabio Zanon (GUITAR) earned his master’s from the University of London and rose to prominence by winning major guitar competitions in 1996, including the Francisco Tárrega, GFA, and Alessandria contests; he later received numerous honors, including an honorary doctorate from the Universidad Nacional de Rosario and awards such as the Carlos Gomes Prize and Bravo! Award.

FABIO PRESGAVE (CELLO) earned his degree from The Juilliard School and has performed as soloist with orchestras worldwide, including the Qatar Philharmonic and Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira, under renowned conductors such as Rafael Payare and Lior Shambadal.

STEPHANIE QUINTIN (SOPRANO) is praised for her vocal flexibility and commanding presence. A multi-awarded soprano, Quintin has received honors such as the Delphic Lyra Award and the Presidential Award for Culture and the Arts. She holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of the Philippines and a Master’s in Contemporary Music Performance from UC San Diego.

MARLON CHEN (CONDUCTOR) is known for his dynamic charisma and versatility, and has led performances across four continents in opera, ballet, and symphonic music. He was appointed Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Manila Symphony Orchestra in 2019 and holds guest conducting roles with leading ensembles worldwide.

The MANILA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (MSO), one of Asia’s oldest and the Philippines’ longest-running artistic institution, has long championed the performance and appreciation of fine music. Now nearing its 100th year, MSO has grown into a Foundation dedicated to discovering and training Filipino talent, aiming to make music a vibrant part of everyday Filipino life.

For tickets, check via TicketWorld.com 

VIP P3500

Premium Patron P2800

Regular Patron P1700

General Admission P800

Visit www.manilasymphony.com for more information.

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