The Manila Symphony Orchestra

MANILA -- The journey of the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) has been one of remarkable resilience and profound cultural significance.

Founded in 1926, the MSO has survived wars, endured hardships and emerged as a pillar of artistic achievement in the Philippines.

In 1945, the MSO’s first post-liberation concert symbolized the revival of Filipino culture after the devastation of World War II. It is this spirit of renewal and artistic excellence that continues to define the MSO’s work today.

The concert series for 2025 to 2026 is tagged “In Pursuit of Excellence,” marking nearly a century of musical excellence.

“Season 99 is more than just a celebration of our enduring legacy,” said Cora Alvina, who has been with the Board of Trustee of the MSO since 2010. 

"It is also a bold step forward as we continue to raise the bar of artistic excellence, as we foster new talents, discover them and bring timeless music to broader and more diverse audiences."

One of the oldest in Asia

The MSO is one of the oldest orchestras in Asia and the longest surviving artistic institution in the Philippines. 

With a rich legacy spanning almost 100 years, the MSO looks upon its history of various contributions into the cultural landscape of the country.

“The upcoming season is not just about performance,” said Alvina. “It is about storytelling, about community, resilience, creativity and shared dreams of musicians, conductors, violinists. 

“All of them who have been involved in every concert, every collaboration, every outreach effort throughout the 99 years is an invitation to the public, to everyone to rediscover the transformative power of music."

Executive director and conductor of MSO Jeffrey Solares added: “The purpose of this event is not only to talk about the famous who’s-who that will be gracing our season concert this year, but to focus on this institution that has weathered wars, economic recession which allow us to celebrate 100 years come July next year

“In spite of the fact that I’ve been working with MSO for 15 years, I still get surprised and I get goosebumps when I see the archives and the history of what this orchestra went through over the past years. Those are interesting stories of the history of the orchestra through ten decades.”

“MSO is one of the earliest orchestras in the world to include women in its lineup,” informed Solares. “As early as the 1930’s, there were women playing in the MSO. Some of them were members of the Legarda family.

“MSO is also one of first orchestras in the Philippines to have a female music director and a female violinist. Women are very much welcome in the MSO. There is no difference.”

Concert series

The “In Pursuit of Excellence” concert series 2025-2026 will reflect this legacy while looking toward the future with exciting collaborations, world premieres and performances that bring together the best of local and international talent.

The series is a prelude to the "Road to 100" celebration of MSO's 100th year anniversary in 2026.

Solares noted that "this landmark season” will celebrate the MSO’s linkages with music and artists from various countries and celebrate the richness that has contributed to the current artistic palette of the orchestra.

“It will also feature the young artists it has nurtured through its scholarship and training programs as soloists," Solares said. “There is always one aspect of the MSO that you can focus on.”

The first concert, “Music for Peace,” is all set to open on May 24, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City.

This year, the MSO commemorates the 80th anniversary of the series of over 150 post-liberation concerts organized between 1945 and 1946. During the war, the orchestra disbanded.

Among the music performed during that period are Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 “From The New World” and Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D, Op. 61, which will be performed featuring Berlin-based violin soloist Emanuel John Villarin and conductor Marlon Chen. 

Through these monumental works, the MSO continues to celebrate its mission of using music as a force for peace, unity and healing.

Future shows

The calendar of forthcoming performances of MSO concert series 2025-2026 are as follows:

“A Night in Hollywood” on June 28 at Aliw Theater, with the Los Angeles Film Composers Intensive (LAFCI) conducting fellows Maestro Angel Velez and American guest conductor Zoltan Onczay, cellist.

“Brazilian Guitar and Cello” on August 9 at Aliw Theater with music by Villalobos and Europe-based Jeffrey Ching, cellist Fabio Presgrave, Brazilian guitarist Fabio Zanon, soprano Stefanie Quintin-Avila and conductor Marlon Chen.

Presgrave and Zanon will perform a double concerto composed by Jeffrey Ching, with music by Brazilian composer Victor Villalobos.

“Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto” will feature Filipino work for children’s choir and orchestra on September 7 also at the Aliw Theater, with violinist Monica Bacus and the children’s choir.

This program is in partnership with the Chinese Embassy in celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relationship with the Philippines.

Maestro Conrado del Rosario has been commissioned to write an original work for September 7, with a children’s choir joining the MSO for the program.

“Dancing with Tchaikovsky” on September 27 at Aliw Theater will feature Rococo variations for cello and orchestra, suite from the Ballet “Sleeping Beauty,” with cellist Damodar Das Castillo and Russian guest conductor Alexander Vikulov from St. Petersburg.

“The MSO 100th anniversary concert” on January 22, 2026 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati will feature young pianist Muyu Liu and Darrell Ang as guest conductor.

The Philippine Madrigal Singers will grace MSO’s 100th anniversary, as well as guitarist Michael Dadap, leader of the Children Orchestra Society in New York. 

Maestro Robert Schroeder, founder of the Filipino-American Symphony Orchestra based in Los Angeles, will also perform in the anniversary concert. He was a member of the MSO from 1979 to 1986.