Renowned worldwide as one of the greatest pianists of her generation, Cecile Licad returns to the historic Manila Metropolitan Theater for a landmark concert with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) under the baton of Maestro Grzegorz Nowak on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, 6:30 pm.
Collectible poster of Cecile Licad’s memorable concert with Andre Previn
In this much-anticipated performance, Licad will perform the works that cemented her place in music history. She will perform the two concertos from her acclaimed recordings with the London Philharmonic Orchestra under André Previn—Chopin’s Concerto No. 2, which earned her the prestigious Grand Prix du Disque from the Chopin Society of Warsaw, and Saint-Saëns’ Concerto No. 2.
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Presented by Rustan’s, The Pianist’s Pianist pays tribute to Filipino artistic excellence and continues the legacy of the late Zenaida “Nedy” Tantoco, who tirelessly championed culture and music. Carrying her vision forward, Anton T. Huang, president and CEO of Rustan’s and SSI Group, and chairman of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Society, Inc. (PPOSI), spearheads the initiative as a meaningful fundraiser for the PPO’s continued pursuit of excellence.
Cecile Licad (Photo by Patrick Diokno)
Huang says, “Cecile Licad is not only one of the Philippines’ greatest cultural treasures but also a symbol of how Filipino artistry can inspire and elevate audiences across the world. Through this concert and our continued support of the PPO, we honor her unparalleled contributions to music while ensuring that the next generation of Filipino musicians can thrive.”
Joining Rustan’s as partners are Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Megaworld Corporation, Philippine Airlines (PAL) as official airline partner, Rustan Coffee Corporation, and Sta. Elena Construction & Development Corporation, collectively reaffirming their commitment to Philippine artistry.
Licad, hailed by The New Yorker as “a pianist’s pianist,” first won over Manila audiences at age 8 under the baton of National Artist Antonino Buenaventura, who declared: “A talent like her comes only once in 100 years.” She later made history as the first Filipina to win the coveted Leventritt Gold Medal in 1981, joining the ranks of legends such as Van Cliburn and Gary Graffman. Over the decades, she has been honored with the Presidential Medal of Merit (1991), the Gawad CCP Para Sa Sining in the field of Music in 1994, and the Pamana ng Pilipino Award (2014).
Most recently, her December 2024 recital at Carnegie Hall earned rave reviews, with the New York Classical Review praising her performance as “less about pianistic display than about ideas and meaning,” underscoring her unique gift for combining virtuosity with profound musical insight.
For her Metropolitan Theater concert, Licad will perform Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21 and Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22, the PPO. The program will also feature Mozart’s Overture to Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), K. 620, and Rossini’s Overture to L’italiana in Algeri.
It will be an unforgettable evening celebrating the Filipino spirit and the universal language of music.
With her world stature, Licad remains deeply connected to her roots, often doing outreach concerts across the Philippines. This Manila performance will be followed by a nationwide series of performances, organized by various esteemed organizations, each supporting a unique cause.
Presented by Baguio Country Club for its 120th Anniversary will be an invitation-only event at the Cordillera Convention Hall on Sept. 27, 2025. Following this, she will perform at the Pinto Art Museum and Arboretum in Antipolo on Sept. 28, 2025. (For tickets, interested individuals may call 09163746347.)
A concert will also be held at the Miranila Heritage House and Library in Quezon City on Oct. 1, 2025, with tickets available through 09065478268.
Finally, Ms. Licad’s series includes two highly anticipated performances in Iloilo City. She will perform at Sta. Ana Parish in Molo on Oct. 6, 2025, and at the UPV Museum of Art and Cultural Heritage on Oct. 7, 2025.
Philippine Airlines will fly her to Iloilo for these engagements. She will also perform at the ECrown Hotel Ballroom in Virac, Catanduanes on Oct. 11, 2025.
In every note she plays, Cecile Licad reminds us that the universal language of music can inspire, unite, and uplift—resonating far beyond the concert hall.
Tickets are available through Lulu Casas (0917 570 8301) or Nancy Sones (0994 715 6582) and at Ticketmelon https://www.ticketmelon.com/rustans/cecile-licad-concert/Prices are as follows: Orchestra Center at ₱5,000.00; Orchestra Sides at ₱3,500.00; and Balcony Center and Sides at ₱500.00.
