The Maestro's Maestro: A night of French music with conductor Mark Gibson and violinist Gao Can

You've heard the maestro.  Now it's time to hear the teacher.

As suggested by its theme, "The Maestro's Maestro," the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra's latest concert features Mark Gibson, Olivier Ochanine's conducting mentor, as he leads the PPO in its upcoming performance on March 22, 2013, 8PM, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tangahalng Nicanor Abelardo.

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Mark Gibson boasts of an impressive portfolio, having conducted various orchestras and ensembles in both opera houses and concert halls.  He is currently on his fourth year as Artistic Director of the Opera Theatre and Music Festival of Lucca and is currently the head Orchestral Studies program at the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati—all while maintaining an active performing career across three continents.

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Joining the PPO is guest soloist Gao Can, a Chinese violinist who is considered as one of the most versatile young violinists in his country today.  He has received many domestic and international distinctions, including the Grand Prize during the 2006 China’s National Violin Competition, a special Recognition Award at the Michael Hill International Violin Competition in 2007, and the Second prize and a Special Award from the 2008 Naples “Alberto Curci” International Violin Competition.  His most recent achievement is the "Highest Violin Award" which he received during the 2009 Ima Hogg International Young Artist’s Competition.

The programme consists of selected works from great French composers.  The PPO will play George Bizet's Petite Suite from "Jeux d'Enfants," Maurice Ravel's "Daphnis et Chloe," and Camille Saint-Saëns' "Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor" with Gao Can as the featured soloist.


Tickets are available at P1,000, P800, P500, P350, and P200, with discounts available to students, senior citizens and groups. To purchase tickets, call the CCP Marketing Department at tel. 832-1125 loc. 1806; CCP Box Office (832-3704) or Ticketworld at National Book Store (891-9999).