Ask anyone listening to music nowadays and they’ll instantly recognize stars like Drake, Taylor Swift, and Beyonce—but what about Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart? In this modern age where pop, rock, and rap dominate the charts, others might think classical music has died. 

For someone like Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, the new music director and principal conductor for the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), this is simply untrue.

Speaking to press members at the function room of Ascott BGC in Taguig, Nowak shares his excitement to work with the PPO. “It’s a big move and quite a new experience but I think that the main thing which, for me, is the challenge to build together with those musicians the orchestra, which will be recognized as one of the top orchestras of the world and I think we are well on our way to achieve that,” he says. 

Prior to his arrival in Manila, Nowak has made quite a name for himself after his time working as the highly-esteemed principal associate conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. He also served as the music director of the Polish National Opera in Warsaw, Poland from 2017 to 2020, and has worked with other orchestras in Germany, Switzerland, and the US. His arrival here to work with the PPO comes just in time for its 39th season. 
Following the theme "Switch," the PPO's concert season had Nowak lead the country's premier orchestra to new heights after its first performance, "Roman Carnival" last September 15 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit, Makati.

Alongside its guest performer, pianist Mark Bebbington, the PPO will be performing Hector Berlioz’s “Roman Carnival,” Edward Grieg’s “Piano Concerto, op. 16, A minor,” and Ottorino Respighi’s “Pini di Roma.”

Concertgoers have much to look forward to as the PPO has pieced together shows that will go on until next year. On Oct. 13, “Italian Night” promises Antonín Dvorák’s “Cello Concerto,” Felix Mendellssohn’s “Italian,” and a selection of Filipino compositions. Cellist Wen-Sinn Yang will also act as a guest performer. On Nov. 17, the PPO will pay homage to classical icons, such as Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Serge Prokofiev with its third concert, “Russian Masters.” For the holiday season, “Ode to Joy” will take place on Dec. 8, featuring pieces from Mozart and Beethoven. 

Firing up into the new year, the PPO’s “Fate” will take place on Jan. 12, 2024, featuring performances of pieces by Johannes Brahms and Tchaikovsky. “Piano Rapture” on Feb. 9 will have Nowak conducting Stanislaw Moniuszko’s “The Fairy Tale Overture,” Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto no. 4, op. 58, G major,” and Rachmaninoff’s “Symphony no. 2 op. 27” with guest soloist Krystian Zimerman. 

A special Valentine’s Day concert on Feb, 14 and 16 will also have Zimerman conducting, performing, and joining an ensemble. “Don Pasquale,” the PPO’s seventh concert, will take place on March 8, 2024. Finally, the 39th season culminates with “Fete Francaise” on April 19, 2024, featuring pieces by Camille Saint-Saëns and Maurice Ravel. 

All concerts will be held at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater. Tickets are priced at ₱3,000 (Orchestra Center), ₱2,500 (Loge Center), ₱2,000 (Orchestra Side), ₱1,500 (Loge Side), and ₱800 (Balcony 1).