There’s much to look forward to in the musical scene as the month winds down: the Far Eastern University (FEU) Center for the Arts’ piano concert featuring Raffi Kasparian, DMA, on Jan. 21 and the Manila Symphony Orchestra’s (MSO) “Legacy” featuring the pianists Carmencita Sipin-Aspiras and Inna Montesclaros on Jan. 25.
Kasparian’s concert to be held at the FEU Auditorium in Manila, titled “Tones Through Time: A Musical Odyssey,” will take the audience on a journey through the evolution of Western music, featuring works from the baroque, classical, romantic, impressionist, and 20th-century periods.
Produced by the FEU Center for the Arts with the support of the Silaw Foundation and DZFE 98.7 FM, the concert forms part of Kasparian’s 2026 Philippine tour, which includes performances in Paoay, Ilocos Norte; the Holy Angel University in Angeles City; and the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music and the Manila Pianos Showroom in Manila.
Admission is free. Register at https://forms.office.com/r/wS8B3qpyQp
Kasparian has given solo and collaborative performances throughout the United States, Canada, and the Philippines. His repertoire spans standard classical masterpieces, original compositions, and imaginative arrangements of popular and sacred music. (Listen to his recordings and live performances on his YouTube channel, Quantime Classics.)
He served for 24 years as pianist of The United States Army Chorus, the vocal counterpart of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own.”
His visits to the Philippines began in 1996 with concerts at the University of the Philippines College of Music and Fort Ilocandia in Ilocos Norte. He encouraged the establishment of the Silaw Foundation, which is dedicated in part to cultural outreach through piano concerts.
Over the years, his performances in the country have included collaborations with his son, Roman, and landmark appearances with the Manila Symphony Orchestra, including concerts at Paoay Church and at FEU, both Unesco heritage sites.
Kasparian holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Northridge; a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Conservatory; and a doctorate in musical arts in piano performance from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He also pursued advanced studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
2 generations
MSO’s “Legacy” on Jan. 25, produced by the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation Inc. and The HSTL Foundation, will be held at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati City.
It brings together two generations of pianists, Carmencita Sipin-Aspiras and Inna Montesclaros, in a performance that celebrates the passing on of musical tradition and mentorship.
The MSO under the direction of Darrell Ang joins the artists in performing the works of Brahms (Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80; Intermezzo in A-Minor, Op. 118, No. 1; Intermezzo in A-Major, Op. 118, No 2; Rhapsody in G-Minor, Op. 79; and Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major) and Chopin (Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op. 55, No. 2 and Barcarolle in F-sharp Major, Op. 60).
Sipin-Aspiras was 10 years old when she gave her first orchestral performance as soloist in Manila. Her subsequent performances earned her a scholarship grant from the Philippine government to study at the prestigious Vienna Musik Hochschule in Austria. She obtained her concert artist diploma and pursued a concertizing career in various countries in Europe, the Philippines, and the United States, where she now resides. Her artistry has received critical acclaim, with the Stuttgart newspaper Rheinisches Volksblatt describing her as “a pianist of extraordinary capabilities and refinement of taste.”
The multi-awarded Montesclaros has made waves in the music scene since her premier recital at age 8 at the Molina Hall, and her orchestral debut at age 11, performing Mozart’s D minor Concerto with the MSO. Noted for her warm tones and sincere musicality, the piano prodigy and “Promil Kid” has developed her love for her craft into a fulfilling concert career.
One of Asia’s most sought-after conductors, Ang conducted orchestras in over 20 countries across the globe in just one season. He has served as artistic director and chief conductor of The Sichuan Orchestra of China since December 2016 and is a regular guest conductor at the Mariinsky Theatre by invitation of Maestro Valery Gergiev.
Born in Singapore, Ang is the youngest associate conductor of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra to date.
The Manila Symphony Orchestra is marking its centennial this year. It is one of Asia’s oldest and most enduring orchestras, and is recognized for bringing an international standard of excellence to the Philippine cultural landscape. CS
Tickets to “Legacy” are available at Ticketworld, starting from VIP at ₱3000 and general admission B at ₱1000, with discounts for senior citizens, PWDs and students (valid IDs required). This performance is for the benefit of the MSO Foundation’s Basilio Manalo Scholarship Program, supporting the next generation of young Filipino musicians.
Read more: The Manila Symphony Orchestra marks 100 years with a concert in January
