Maestro Arturo Molina’s pedigree in Philippine music is unquestionable. With family into classical, jazz, and opera, and in both fields of performance and education, the Maestro is the one of the latest in the line of professionals to uphold the heritage of national music with the Molina name.
Starting at age six under Adriano Garcia,a violist of the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO), he later received a scholarship from the MSO to study with Prof. Oscar Yatco, MSO’s music director at the time. During those years, the MSO’s nursery of young musicians was the University of the East Student’s Orchestra under Col. Antonino Buenaventura, where young Arturo earned his stripes.
As an adult, he trained in the elite conservatories of Moscow and Kiev, winning in the String Competitions that vaulted him into a concert at the famed Bolshoi Theater.
Upon his return in1987, Maestro Molina joined the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, became concertmaster of the Manila Chamber Orchestra, taught at the Philippine Research for Developing Instrumental Soloists (PREDIS), and was solo violinist with the newly formed Manila Youth Symphony Orchestra, an offshoot of PREDIS.
With the ability to convey important ideas using few, everyday words, Maestro Molina conducts with Brocka-esque effect, using imagery to convey the power of sound. “Parang tubig” (like water), “galling sa malayo, papalapit” (from afar, coming closer), “relax, suabe, malambot” (suavely, tenderly) are some of his memorable phrasings. “The violin has a gender,” the Maestro once said, “—it is a lady.” Such is his style.
In 2001, during the concert that re-launched the MSO, Billy Manalo handed the baton to Arturo Molina, entrusting to him the leadership and the future of the Philippines’ first—and one of Asia’s earliest symphony orchestras.
In the decade that passed, the Maestro’s growth as conductor and the development of the MSO under his care have created legion followers, dedicated musicians, and a heritage that will march on far beyond the 89 years of its proud musical existence.
MSO will feature a Bach vs. Beatles playlist on August 25, 2017 at the Molo Church and movie hit-tunes and symphonies on August 26, 2017 at the Iloilo Convention Center. Inquiries about the free, by-invitation concert may be directed to the Secretariat c/o Iloilo Economic Development Office (33) 335-0333 and 337-8341
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