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What happens when the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Standard Insurance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Guimaraes Rosa Institute (GR) and the Embassy of Brazil in Manila collaborate on a show billed “Brazilian Guitar and Cello” on August 9, 2025 at 7:30 pm at the Bayanihan Hall, Creative Arts Centre, British School Manila, BGC, Taguig City?
See it for youself.
The featured artists are Fabio Zanon, guitar; Fabio Presgave, cello; Stephanie Quintion, soprano and Marlon Chen, conductor.
The repertoire includes “Bachianas Brasileiras No. 7: I. Prelúdio (Ponteio),” composed in 1942 that blends the Baroque structure with Brazilian folk rhythm and rich harmonies, transforming the traditional ponteio into a lyrical, orchestrated prelude; “Concierto de Camara,” 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 of the show features Radames 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—for guitar and string orchestra; Astor Piazolla’s Le Grand Tango” composed in 1982 which fuses classical technique with the bold rhythms of nuevo tango in a single, intense movement that highlights the cello’s agility and emotional range and Heitor Villa-Lobos’s “Ária and Dança” from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4 (1930/1942) that 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.
Zanon 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.
Presgave, a Rio-born, 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.
Quintin is praised for her vocal flexibility and commanding presence, a multi-awarded soprano, receiving honors such as the Delphic Lyra Award and the Presidential Award for Culture and the Arts etc.
Meanwhile, Chen, known for his dynamic charisma and versatility, 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 MSO, one of Asia’s oldest and the Philippines’ longest-running artistic institution, has long championed the performance and appreciation of fine music.
MSO holds concerts on September 27, 2025, “Butterfly Lovers Yellow River Concerto,” Philippines-China Friendship Concert and “Dancing with Tchaikovsky Philippines-China Friendship Concert, Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City and on January 22, 2026, “The MSO 100th Anniversary Concert” Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit, Makati City. (Toots Tolentino)