MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 30, 2013) – Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez and Maria Teresa Lopez hosted a dinner in honor of Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) President Dr. Raul Sunico and members of the Orchestra Nipponica Tokyo to usher in the Japan-Philippines Contemporary Music Festival to be held in Manila on February 8-9.
The Japan-Philippines Contemporary Music Festival is a collaborative project between the CCP and the Orchestra Nipponica Tokyo. Organized under the auspices of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Agency for Cultural Affairs, it is one of the activities to be held in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan relations.
It will feature the Orchestra Nipponica Tokyo, which is known for its performances of orchestral works of Japanese composers and its revival of long-forgotten compositions, as well as Filipino musicians.
The Festival will consist of two parts – the first is a Chamber Music Concert at the Philamlife Auditorium in Manila to be held on February 8 at 7:30 p.m and featuring musical pieces by Japanese, Filipino and international composers and the second part is the Orchestra Concert at the CCP Main Theater on February 9 at 8 p.m. To be conducted by Tatsuya Shimono and with the performance of soprano Irene Ednave, the Orchestra Nipponica Tokyo will play compositions of Maki Ishii, Masashi Ishida, Herminigildo Ranera, Antonio Buenaventura and Akira Ifukubwe.
Lopez invited the renowned Filipino pianist and the Orchestra Nipponica Tokyo to play a few pieces at his official residence.
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