Manila Symphony Orchestra's 'A Night in Hollywood' all set on June 28
The Manila Symphony Orchestra proudly announces the second featured concert for its 99th Season dubbed as 'A NIGHT IN HOLLYWOOD' set on June 28, 2025 Saturday 7:30PM ALIW Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City.
Noted international artists Zoltán Onczay, Hungarian Cellist; Angel Velez, American Guest Conductor; and the Composers and conductors from the Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive (LAFCI) are coming over to Manila for a week-long collaboration with the Manila Symphony Orchestra. This exciting concert will feature new music composed for movies as well as a suite of iconic Hollywood compositions.
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| Angel Velez, American guest conductor |
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| Zoltan Onczay, cello |
Zoltan received his diploma at the Liszt Music Academy Budapest in 2004 in the class of László Mező, cellist of the famous Bartók Quartet. Afterwards Zoltan received his soloist diploma as a Hindemith scholarship student in Berlin at the UDK in 2008, in the class of Wolfgang Boettcher. He received the Yamaha Award from the European Yamaha Music Foundation, one amongst his numerous awards. He also won the Martinu Award during the Semmering Summer Academy and the Wiener-Classic and Kodaly Award. He also received a prize at the international competition of European Music for Youth in Oslo. He considers his mission to be the promotion of Hungarian and contemporary music locally and abroad, as well as to teaching and supporting young talents. In addition to classical music, he is also engaged in electroacoustic and improvisational music.
Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive (LAFCI)
The Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive is dedicated to advancing the art of conducting by providing workshops and access to online resources to help media composers succeed on the podium. LAFCI is dedicated to providing exceptional training based on sound pedagogical practices, designed to create an opportunity for media composers to further their skills as conductors and to provide them with resources and training to help them grow as a conductor. They offer workshops with experienced professional faculty that allow for firsthand opportunities to work with some of the top professional musicians in Los Angeles. Programs are geared toward media composers (film/television/video games) to assist and provide free access to their online Resource Center, which includes "An Inside Look", a series of in-depth interviews with professional conductors sharing their personal perspective on the craft of conducting.
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| Sophia Bass, composer |
Given the monikers Wunderkind and “bold composer” by her mentor, Hollywood film composer Roger Neill, Sophia Bass is a Chicago-based composer, orchestrator, arranger and conductor. She attended college in the U.S., receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Ethnomusicology for Composition at Oberlin College and Conservatory. In 2020, she was awarded a Fulbright to India where she conducted research into Carnatic and Hindustani classical music. In 2024, Bass received her Master’s Degree in Composition for Screen at the Royal College of Music, London, where she refined her skills in music composition, research and music production. Her master’s thesis “Exploring Dreamworlds: A Conversation with Howard Shore” is based on personal interviews she conducted with Academy Award-winning film composer Howard Shore to explore his creative, compositional and recording processes in the film industry. Bass writes for a range of ensembles, blending traditional Western classical counterpoint with cinematic orchestration.
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| Julia Sanchez, composer |
Julia Sanchez is an Argentine composer and conductor with training in Buenos Aires, La Plata, and Madrid. She holds a degree in Musical Composition from the Universidad Católica Argentina and has studied Orchestral Conducting at the Universidad Nacional de La Plata. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Artistic, Literary and Cultural Studies at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, where her research focuses on various aspects of musical dramaturgy. Julia has participated as a guest composer and conductor in festivals in Denmark, Peru, Greece, and Finland. Her work explores the relationship between the visual and the sonic, with a poetic and sensitive approach. In parallel, she works as Head of Studies and teaches composition and songwriting at DJP Music School.
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| Jennifer Jolley |
Jennifer Jolley (b. 1981) is a composer, conductor, and professor. Her works have been commissioned and performed by ensembles worldwide, including the Dallas Winds, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Central Ohio Symphony, Left Coast Chamber Ensemble, and Quince Ensemble. Her music has been featured in venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Rivera Court at the Detroit Institute of Arts, and Žofín Palace. A future piece commissioned by the US Navy Band will premiere at the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) Conference in Gwangju, South Korea, in Namhansanseong Art Hall. She is the original soundtrack composer for the video game Stolen Realm. Jennifer earned degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music. She currently serves as an Associate Professor of Music Theory and Composition in the Department of Music, Multimedia, Theatre, and Dance at Lehman College in the Bronx and was a Fulbright Scholar to Egypt in 2023.
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| Yuxuan Liu, composer |
Yuxuan Liu is an award-winning screen composer, concert composer, and sound artist from Guangyuan, China, currently based in Los Angeles. His work spans film, television, games, live performances, and contemporary concert music, with a focus on emotional depth, narrative clarity, and rich sonic textures. His recent work on Poems of Forgotten Love (dir. Poshi) earned Best Drama Short at the 2025 Hollywood Just4shorts Competition. His instrumental piece The Light and Shadows on the Kora Path was selected for the 2025 Aranya Theater Festival – Migratory Birds 300. Yuxuan’s music has been internationally recognized with numerous awards, including First Prize in the World’s Best Musicians Competition (Composition Category), the Gold Award in the 2023 Danny Awards(Film Score Group), First Prize in the Vivaldi International Composition Competition, the Beeffie Creative Musical Artists Award, the Highest Award from Russia’s “Composers” International Competition, First Prize in the 2024 Opus Artis Paris Competition, and the Platinum Prize in the 2025 Best Classical Musicians Awards, and more.
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| Mohamad Rasull, composer |
Mohamad Rasull is a musician, conductor, and educator with a unique background in both Music and Mathematics. A graduate of the National Institute of Education in 2003, he was awarded the Mrs. Paul-Feng Pei Djen Gold Medal for excellence in Music. As a performer, Rasull plays flute and piccolo with the Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra and the Singapore Wind Symphony. He is also the Music Director and Conductor of the Institute of Education Concert Band, Yishun Innova Junior College Symphonic Band, and PassionArts AudioImage Wind Ensemble. A passionate arranger, Rasull specializes in adapting video game and anime music for symphonic bands. Since 2022, he has brought these genres to life through anime-VGM concerts at Singapore Comic Con with AudioImage. Currently he is a General Music teacher at Kent Ridge Secondary School.
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| Robin Raisch, composer |
Robin is the Wind Conductor of the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA) at Inglewood under the Los Angeles Philharmonic. She is also the founder and conductor of the Mission Philharmonic and Mission Wind Ensemble, where she is dedicated to fostering music education and appreciation in Riverside through free concerts and community outreach. Her conducting experience spans orchestras, wind ensembles, and opera, including her work with the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Opera at California Baptist University. As a performer, she has played with distinguished ensembles such as the World Youth Wind Symphony and the FMEA All-State Symphonic Band. In addition to her work on the podium, Robin has held arts administration roles, serving as Orchestra Manager for the Sewanee Symphony and Artist Liaison for the National Repertory Orchestra. She holds a master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting at California Baptist University and a Bachelor of Music in piano and flute performance from Florida Southern College.
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| Noah N. Zubia-Sanchez |
Noah N. Zubia-Sanchez is a Latin-American composer and innovator of minimal Latin-Jazz. He is celebrated for weaving the vibrant rhythms and harmonies of Latin music with elements of jazz, orchestral innovation, and minimalist aesthetics. A native of Riverside, California, Noah began their self-taught composition journey during high school, later refining their craft at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under the mentorship of Grammy-winning composer Dr. Mason Bates. Rooted in a passion for defying Eurocentric norms, Noah’s music captures the rich diversity of Latin culture while pushing boundaries through bold experimentation. Their works, such as Neo-Latin Dances no. 5 (El Diablo del Mojave) and Riverside Portraits, take listeners on journeys through dramatic landscapes and deeply personal narratives, combining advanced rhythmic structures with lush harmonies Beyond their artistry, Noah enjoys mentoring young composers, exploring the world for inspiration, and advocating for the transformative power of community through music.
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| Ricardo Reyna, conductor (for Noah N. Zubia-Sanchez) |
Ricardo Reyna is a conductor, trumpet player, and music educator located in the Los Angeles area. Currently, he holds the position of Music Director at Glendale Adventist Academy. Mr. Reyna has received trumpet instruction from Robert Schaer, David Washburn, Rob Frear, Jon Lewis, Jordi Albert, Jeffrey Smith, and Alonso Armenta. He has also received his conducting training from Herbert Blomstedt, Leonard Slatkin, Larry J. Livingston, Jerry Junkin, Kevin Sedatole, Travis J. Cross, Giovanni Santos, and John Burdett. Recently, he has been invited to participate in programs such as the Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive, UCLA Conducting Workshop, Michigan State University Conducting Workshop, and La Sierra University Conducting Workshop. Reyna completed his Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI. He also obtained a Performance Certificate in Conducting from La Sierra University and is currently pursuing a Masters in Arts of Teaching at La Sierra University in Riverside, CA.
REPERTOIRE: PART I:
1. Tribute to the Film Composer
Arranged by John Williams
Tribute to the Film Composers is an orchestral work that pays homage to the influential composers of Hollywood’s classical era. Through sophisticated orchestration and theme, Williams acknowledges the contributions of figures such as Max Steiner, Bernard Herrmann, and Henry Mancini, celebrating the emotional and narrative power of music in cinema.
2. Original compositions from the Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive (LAFCI) Composers
A. Heart of a Warrior by Sophia Bass - "Heart of a Warrior", is a musical interpretation of the flow of Chi generated by the movements of two postures -- Old Monk Chopping Wood (Lao Seng Pi Chai) and Luohan Draping Coat (Luo Han Pi Yi) -- from the Luohan QiGong sequence. Like a disciple, the music attempts to mirror the movements of the QiGong practitioner, reflecting each gesture in similar time and character through music. The Luohan QiGong choreography influenced the phrasing of this piece. Each posture, for example, is performed four times, once on the right and once on the left, amounting to eight complete gestures in standard practice.
B. Seeming Chrysalis by Julia Sanchez - Changeling in Waltz Time awakens the child within through a dreamlike waltz, where faerie grace and innocence open portals to a magical realm. Composed in tribute to her father, whose storytelling voice embroidered her childhood dreams.
C. Theme from Stolen Realm by Jennifer Jolley - This is the theme composed for the game Stolen Realm, a simultaneous turn-based tactical dungeon crawler with looter and action RPG elements. This is inspired by the mythological realms and fantasy characters involved in this heroic tale.
D. Sigh of Spring’s Farewell by Yuxuan Liu - A moving elegy for a love that never found its ending—orchestral voices unfold with warmth, yet cannot conceal the rolling sea. The youthful flutter of hearts has long faded with time, leaving only ripples of memory that stir with every wistful recall.
E. Concert Prelude on "Chan Mali Chan" by Mohamad Rasull - "Chan Mali Chan" is a popular and beloved Malay folk song often sung in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. It has grown to be part of the Singapore musical fabric, having been taught to children from a young age. The composer has created a concert prelude based on the "Chan Mali Chan" theme which starts off with a rhythmic brass fanfare, developing the theme and its fragments right up to the very dynamic ending, whilst also playing tribute to Singapore's 60th birthday in 2025.
F. Journey Through the Celestial Gate by Robin Raisch - “Journey Through the Celestial Gate” is inspired by the Chinese pentatonic scale, built on a sequence of perfect fifths that evoke the balance between Heaven and Earth. The piano and harp create a shimmering, celestial texture, while the clarinet introduces the main theme that weaves throughout the piece. A bold brass fanfare dialogues with this lyrical material, symbolizing the unity of Heaven and Earth. In the ecstatic finale, the fanfare and theme converge, lifting the music through the gates of transcendence.
G. Mosaic Mambo by Noah N. Zubia-Sanchez, to be conducted by Ricardo Reyna - “Mosaic Mambo” is a work that delves into the fragmented identities often experienced by second, third, and fourth-generation immigrant Latin Americans in the United States. Regardless of their specific backgrounds, many navigate a complex interchange of identities, which can feel overwhelming when trying to define oneself culturallyre, which reflects the composer’s personal struggle with that journey. The "mosaics" of identity shimmer and shift throughout the work, reflecting the complexity of individuality, and weaving a tapestry of Latin sound.
3. Hungarian Rhapsody
Composed by David Popper
Composed by David Popper
Zoltan Onczay, cello
Hungarian Rhapsody is a virtuosic piece for cello that reflects the Romantic era's fascination with Hungarian folk idioms and nationalistic expression. The work combines lyrical passages with fiery dance rhythms, exemplifying David Popper’s dual mastery as both a composer and one of the 19th century’s foremost cellists.
Hungarian Rhapsody is a virtuosic piece for cello that reflects the Romantic era's fascination with Hungarian folk idioms and nationalistic expression. The work combines lyrical passages with fiery dance rhythms, exemplifying David Popper’s dual mastery as both a composer and one of the 19th century’s foremost cellists.
PART II: The Music of John Williams
1. Hedwig's Theme from Harry Potter
Hedwig’s Theme from the Harry Potter (1991) film series, has become the most iconic musical motif. Written for celesta and orchestra, the theme blends whimsical textures with a sense of mystery, capturing the magical atmosphere of J.K. Rowling’s world. Its distinctive melodic contour and orchestration have made it an example of modern film scoring.
1. Hedwig's Theme from Harry Potter
Hedwig’s Theme from the Harry Potter (1991) film series, has become the most iconic musical motif. Written for celesta and orchestra, the theme blends whimsical textures with a sense of mystery, capturing the magical atmosphere of J.K. Rowling’s world. Its distinctive melodic contour and orchestration have made it an example of modern film scoring.
2. End Titles from Seven Years in Tibet
Zoltan Onczay, cello soloist
End Titles from Seven Years in Tibet (1997) is a reflective orchestral work that captures the film’s spiritual and geographic landscape. Drawing on Tibetan musical influences and featuring passages for solo cello, the piece blends lyrical introspection with cinematic expression, underscoring themes of transformation, exile, and inner peace.
Zoltan Onczay, cello soloist
End Titles from Seven Years in Tibet (1997) is a reflective orchestral work that captures the film’s spiritual and geographic landscape. Drawing on Tibetan musical influences and featuring passages for solo cello, the piece blends lyrical introspection with cinematic expression, underscoring themes of transformation, exile, and inner peace.
3. Adventures on Earth from E.T.
Adventures on Earth from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), serves as the film’s climactic musical sequence uniting themes of wonder, friendship, and farewell. Known for its orchestration and emotional depth, the piece showcases Williams’s ability to heighten narrative through music, blending excitement in a masterful cinematic finale.
Adventures on Earth from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), serves as the film’s climactic musical sequence uniting themes of wonder, friendship, and farewell. Known for its orchestration and emotional depth, the piece showcases Williams’s ability to heighten narrative through music, blending excitement in a masterful cinematic finale.
4. Theme from Schindler's List
Alessio Benvenuti, violin soloist
The Theme from Schindler’s List (1993) is a profoundly moving piece that serves as the emotional centerpiece of the film. Scored for solo violin and orchestra, the theme conveys a haunting sense of loss, dignity, and remembrance. Its restrained elegance and expressive depth exemplify Williams’s ability to evoke historical tragedy with grace and sensitivity.
Alessio Benvenuti, violin soloist
The Theme from Schindler’s List (1993) is a profoundly moving piece that serves as the emotional centerpiece of the film. Scored for solo violin and orchestra, the theme conveys a haunting sense of loss, dignity, and remembrance. Its restrained elegance and expressive depth exemplify Williams’s ability to evoke historical tragedy with grace and sensitivity.
5. Theme from Superman
The Theme from Superman (1978) is a bold and heroic orchestral work that has become synonymous with the character’s cinematic identity. Characterized by its soaring melodies, rhythmic drive, and triumphant fanfare, the theme exemplifies Williams’s gift for capturing the essence of a hero through music, reinforcing themes of courage, hope, and idealism.
The Theme from Superman (1978) is a bold and heroic orchestral work that has become synonymous with the character’s cinematic identity. Characterized by its soaring melodies, rhythmic drive, and triumphant fanfare, the theme exemplifies Williams’s gift for capturing the essence of a hero through music, reinforcing themes of courage, hope, and idealism.
6. Por Una Cabeza
Composed by Carlos Gardel / Arranged by John Williams
Jeanne Rafaella Marquez, violin soloist
Por Una Cabeza (1935), composed by Carlos Gardel with lyrics by Alfredo Le Pera, is one of the most iconic tangos of the 20th century. Originally written in 1935, the piece combines passionate lyricism with the characteristic rhythm and sensuality of the Argentine tango. Its enduring popularity has been amplified through numerous film appearances, making it a staple of both classical and popular repertoires.
Composed by Carlos Gardel / Arranged by John Williams
Jeanne Rafaella Marquez, violin soloist
Por Una Cabeza (1935), composed by Carlos Gardel with lyrics by Alfredo Le Pera, is one of the most iconic tangos of the 20th century. Originally written in 1935, the piece combines passionate lyricism with the characteristic rhythm and sensuality of the Argentine tango. Its enduring popularity has been amplified through numerous film appearances, making it a staple of both classical and popular repertoires.
7. Theme from Jurassic Park
The Theme from Jurassic Park (1993) is a majestic orchestral piece that captures the awe and grandeur of the film’s prehistoric world. Characterized by its expressive melody and rich harmonic textures, the theme reflects both the wonder of discovery and the emotional depth of the story, exemplifying Williams’s signature cinematic style.
The Theme from Jurassic Park (1993) is a majestic orchestral piece that captures the awe and grandeur of the film’s prehistoric world. Characterized by its expressive melody and rich harmonic textures, the theme reflects both the wonder of discovery and the emotional depth of the story, exemplifying Williams’s signature cinematic style.
8. Olympic Fanfare and Theme
Olympic Fanfare and Theme (1984), composed by John Williams for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, is a triumphant and inspiring orchestral work that has become a symbol of athletic excellence and international unity. Combining bold brass fanfares with flowing melodies, the piece reflects the spirit of competition, perseverance, and global celebration associated with the Olympic tradition.
Olympic Fanfare and Theme (1984), composed by John Williams for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, is a triumphant and inspiring orchestral work that has become a symbol of athletic excellence and international unity. Combining bold brass fanfares with flowing melodies, the piece reflects the spirit of competition, perseverance, and global celebration associated with the Olympic tradition.
UPCOMING CONCERTS FOR SEASON 99
1.) AUG 09, 2025
"BRAZILIAN GUITAR AND CELLO"
Bayanihan Hall, Creative Arts Center
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Music by Villalobos and Jeffrey Ching
Fabio Presgrave, cello
Fabio Zanon, guitar
Stefanie Quintin-Avila, soprano
Marlon Chen, conductor
1.) AUG 09, 2025
"BRAZILIAN GUITAR AND CELLO"
Bayanihan Hall, Creative Arts Center
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Music by Villalobos and Jeffrey Ching
Fabio Presgrave, cello
Fabio Zanon, guitar
Stefanie Quintin-Avila, soprano
Marlon Chen, conductor
2.) SEP 07, 2025
"BUTTERFLY LOVERS VIOLIN CONCERTO"
Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City
Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto
Filipino Work for Children’s Choir and Orchestra
Chinese Erhu Soloist
The Young Voices of The Philippines
Chinese Guest Conductor
"BUTTERFLY LOVERS VIOLIN CONCERTO"
Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City
Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto
Filipino Work for Children’s Choir and Orchestra
Chinese Erhu Soloist
The Young Voices of The Philippines
Chinese Guest Conductor
3.) SEP 27, 2025
"DANCING WITH TCHAIKOVSKY"
Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City
Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations for Cello and Orchestra
Suite from the Ballet “Sleeping Beauty”
Damodar Das Castillo, cello
Alexander Vikulov, guest conductor
"DANCING WITH TCHAIKOVSKY"
Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City
Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations for Cello and Orchestra
Suite from the Ballet “Sleeping Beauty”
Damodar Das Castillo, cello
Alexander Vikulov, guest conductor
4.) JAN. 22, 2026
"THE MSO 100TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT"
Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati
Muyu Liu, piano
The Philippine Madrigal Singers
Darrell Ang, guest conductor
"THE MSO 100TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT"
Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati
Muyu Liu, piano
The Philippine Madrigal Singers
Darrell Ang, guest conductor
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