Prize-winning Russian violinist Aylen Pritchin is the new soloist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) on January 17, 7:30 p.m. at the Samsung Theater for Performing Arts.
This was announced by PPO music director Grzegorz Nowak to Lifestyle during the weekend.
Pritchin replaces American violinist David Radynsky who begged off for family emergency reasons.
The Russian violinist is a prizewinner of several competitions including the Tchaikovsky and the Grand Prize at the Long-Thibaud International Competition in Paris in 2014.
Asked how close he is to the Tchaikovsky Violin concerto he is performing in Manila on Jan 17, Pritchin told this writer: “For every violinist, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto holds a truly special place. Its beauty and technical demands make it a masterpiece that challenges the performer to bring the music’s soul to life. The emotional range of the concerto is extraordinary—a true kaleidoscope of characters. It transitions seamlessly from the grandeur and excitement of a solemn polonaise to the most intimate, lyrical moments, while exploring countless subtle shades of emotion in between. I haven’t played the piece for several years and now I’m thrilled to dive back into its depths and rediscover its magic.”
The Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35 was the only concerto for violin composed by Tchaikovsky. Composed in 1878, it is one of the best-known violin concertos.
Meanwhile, the PPO music director and principal conductor said 2024 was a very positive year with well-received concerts. “Those were concerts in which the PPO members and I established ever growing musical bond. The guest soloists all enjoyed working with our orchestra and of course our audiences are getting more receptive.”
Novak said his most memorable musical event in 2024 was the PPO special concert featuring Cecile Licad as soloist in Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1. “I am looking forward too many more concerts with this fantastic Filipino pianist. We are also very fortunate that a fabulous Filipino violinist, Diomedes Saraza, Jr. has joined the PPO as our concertmaster and artist in the residence. He did a phenomenal job in our first concert of this season in Richard Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben. The PPO met the challenge of this difficult work in a wonderful way. Equally memorable were our performances of symphonies by Brahms, Schumann and Tchaikovsky. I look forward to more moving performances of this excellent orchestra.”
The resident conductor also announced a tour of 9 cities of the United Kingdom (UK) on May 15, 2025 (7:30 p.m.) starting at the Birmingham Symphony Hall with composer in residence Jeffrey Ching commissioned to introduce new works. “Saraza will appear as both concertmaster and one of the soloists,” added Maestro Novak.
Meanwhile, Pritchin’s concert highlights for the 2024-2025 season include several debuts at the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées (Saint-Saëns 3) and WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln (Beethoven) with Maxim Emelyanychev, Camerata Nordica in a playing and leading programme across Sweden, among others.
A celebrated chamber musician, Pritchin’s engagements include his debut at the Just Klassik Festival in Troyes, the Landshut Kammermusik Festival in Germany and a return at the Lockenhaus Chamber Music Festival in Austria.
The January 17 PPO program includes Zoltán Kodály’s Dance of Galanta, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto No. 1, and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8, op. 88, in G Major.
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