The Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is presenting “A Night in Hollywood” as the second featured concert for its 99th season on June 28, 7:30 p.m., at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City. 

International artists are performing with the MSO in this concert, including Hungarian cellist Zoltán Onczay, American guest conductor Angel Velez, and the composers and conductors of the Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive (Lafci). 

The repertoire, a mix of new music composed for movies and a suite of iconic Hollywood compositions, includes “Hungarian Rhapsody,” composed by David Popper with Onczay on cello, and a tribute to the film composers Max Steiner, Bernard Herman and Henri Mancini (arranged by John Williams). 

The Lafci composers will present seven original compositions: “Heart of a Warrior” by Sophia Bass, “Seeming Chrysalis” by Julia Sanchez, the theme from “Stolen Realm” by Jennifer Jolley, “Sigh of Spring’s” Farewell by Yuxuan Liu, the concert prelude on “Chan Mali Chan” by Mohamad Rasull, “Journey Through the Celestial Gate” by Robin Raisch, and “Mosaic Mambo” by Noah N. Zubia-Sanchez, to be conducted by Ricardo Reyna. 

Also to be featured is Williams’ music: Hedwig’s theme from “Harry Potter,” end titles from “Seven Years in Tibet” (Onczay on cello), Adventures on Earth from “E.T.,” the theme from “Schindler’s List” (Alessio Benvenuti on violin), the theme from “Superman,” “Por Una Cabeza” (composed by Carlos Gardel and arranged by Williams, with Jeanne Rafaella Marquez on violin), the theme from “Jurassic Park,” and the Olympic fanfare and theme. 

Angel Velez, a sought-after conductor for film and television, has conducted for world-premiere pop concerts for hits such as “Captain Marvel,” “Green Book,” “Tom and Jerry in New York,” and “The Book of Boba Fett.” Apart from his work in Los Angeles studios and as conductor of the Hollywood Studio Chamber Orchestra, he has served as music director for the Los Angeles Live Score Film Festival, American Society of Cinematographers Awards, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Miss World 2022.  

Velez has recorded for the Varese Sarabande and Sudwestrundfunk labels and continues to work in the entertainment industry on shows such as “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” “Star Wars: Rebels,” “Family Guy,” “Jane the Virgin,” and “The Mandalorian,” as well as the recently released MGM superhero film “Samaritan” starring Sylvester Stallone.

Zoltan Onczay received his diploma at the Liszt Music Academy Budapest in 2004 in the class of László Mező, cellist of the famous Bartók Quartet. He received his soloist diploma as a Hindemith scholarship student at the Berlin University of the Arts in 2008, in the class of Wolfgang Boettcher. 

Among his numerous awards are the Yamaha Award from the European Yamaha Music Foundation, the Martinu Award received 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. 

Onczay considers it his mission to promote Hungarian and contemporary music worldwide, and to teach and support young talents. In addition to classical music, he is engaged in electroacoustic and improvisational music.

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. It offers workshops that allow participants first-hand opportunities to work with some of the top professional musicians in Los Angeles. Its programs are geared toward media composers (film/TV/video games), to assist and provide free access to its online Resource Center, which includes “An Inside Look,” a series of in-depth interviews with professional conductors sharing their perspectives on their craft.

For tickets, check TicketWorld.com.ph, or the Manila Symphony Orchestra on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram (@manila.symphony), TikTok (@manilasymphonyorchestra), or its website (www.manilasymphony.com).