Tchaikovsky’s timeless melodies come to life with cello prodigy Damodar das Castillo joining guest conductor Alexander Vikulov in a concert presented by the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation Inc. and Standard Insurance, in partnership with EastWest Bank.

The evening of Russian romanticism is set at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City on Sept. 27 starting at 7:30 p.m. It features performances of the “Festival Coronation March,” Rococo Variations for Cello and Orchestra, and a suite from the ballet “Sleeping Beauty.” 

“Festival Coronation March” (1883), written for Tsar Alexander III’s coronation, brims with ceremonial flair through brass fanfares, festive rhythms, and a controversial quote from “God Save the Tsar.” Composed in mere weeks, it continues to be performed on global stages, including the opening of Carnegie Hall in 1891.

Tchaikovsky’s “Variations on a Rococo Theme” (1877) pays homage to Mozart’s classical elegance through a graceful theme and seven contrasting variations. Demanding both lyricism and virtuosity, it challenges the soloist with soaring melodies, rapid passagework, and intricate cadenzas, making it a cornerstone of the cello repertoire.

“The Sleeping Beauty Suite” (1889) by Tchaikovsky captures the magic of his ballet of the same title, through a series of orchestral highlights, blending graceful waltzes, lyrical adagios, and character dances. Renowned for its lush orchestration and melodic charm, the suite captures both the elegance of courtly dance and the fairy tale magic that make “Sleeping Beauty” one of his most enduring stage works.

Born in Saint Petersburg to renowned ballet dancers Sergey Vikulov and Tatiana Udalenkova, the conductor Alexander Vikulov has built an international career that bridges opera, ballet, and symphonic music. Since his 2002 Mariinsky Theater debut with Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro,” he has conducted at the Vienna State Opera, Finnish National Opera, Seoul Arts Center, Teatro Regio di Torino, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. 

Vikulov continues to unite cultures through the universal language of music. He is currently permanent guest conductor of the Saint Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra “Klassika” and musical director at Manila’s Star and Aliw Theaters. 

The cellist Damodar das Castillo is a top prizewinner of five international competitions including The Young Musician (Tallinn, 2019), the International Anton Rubinstein Competition (Düsseldorf, 2020), The Young Ludwig Competition (Berlin, 2020), the Vienna International Music Competition (2020), and Musica Goritiensis (Italy, 2021). 

He studied at the Pre-College of Mozarteum University Salzburg under Prof. Barbara Lübke-Herzl and, as a scholar of the MSJO–Standard Insurance International Scholarship Program, he performs on a George Gerl cello.

The Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO), founded in 1926 by Alexander Lippay, is one of Asia’s oldest orchestras and the Philippines’ longest surviving artistic institution. A symbol of resistance during World War II, the MSO has collaborated with legends under the batons of Andre Kostelanetz, Arthur Fiedler, Mendi Rodan, Robert Feist, Gareth Nair, Helen Quach, and Eduard Strauss II.

Antonio Molina, Antonino Buenaventura, Lucio San Pedro, Ernani Cuenco, Levi Celerio, and Ryan Cayabyab have also graced its stage.

It remains among the country’s most active artistic institutions, presenting world-class performances and nurturing young Filipino talent under music director Marlon Chen and associate conductor Jeffrey Solares.

Tickets are at VIP ₱3,500, premium patron ₱2,800, regular patron A ₱2,000, regular patron B ₱1,500, general admission A ₱1,000, and general admission B ₱650.

Reserve tickets via Ticketworld: https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/…/EATH2025883DT/tickets.Ticket prices are 50% off for students (use the code TCHAIKOVSKYSTUDENT50) and 20% off for seniors and PWDs (TCHAIKOVSKYMSO20). Valid IDs must be presented upon entry.