‘Dancing with Tchaikovsky’ official poster
AS part of its Season 99 concert series, the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO), led by Russian guest conductor Alexander Vikulov, presents Dancing with Tchaikovsky at the Aliw Theater, Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, on Sept. 27, 2025 at 7:30 pm. Featured is renowned Filipino cellist Damodar das Castillo.
MSO, founded in 1926 by Alexander Lippay, is one of Asia’s oldest orchestras and the Philippines’ longest surviving artistic institution. A symbol of resistance during World War II, the MSO has since collaborated with legends under the batons of Andre Kostelanetz, Arthur Fiedler, Mendi Rodan, Robert Feist, Gareth Nair, Helen Quach, and Eduard Strauss II. Antonio Molina, Antonino Buenaventura, Lucio San Pedro, Ernani Cuenco, Levi Celerio, and Ryan Cayabyab have also graced its stage.
Now nearing its 100th year in 2026, the MSO remains one of the country’s most active artistic institutions, presenting world-class performances and nurturing young Filipino talent under Marlon Chen (music director) and Jeffrey Solares (associate conductor).
Born in Saint Petersburg to renowned ballet dancers Sergey Vikulov and Tatiana Udalenkova, Alexander Vikulov has built an international career that bridges opera, ballet, and symphonic music. Since his 2002 Mariinsky Theater debut with Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, he has conducted at the Vienna State Opera, Finnish National Opera, Seoul Arts Center, Teatro Regio di Torino, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Now permanent guest conductor of the Saint Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra “Klassika” and musical director at Manila’s Star and Aliw Theaters, Vikulov continues to unite cultures through the universal language of music.
A top prizewinner of five international competitions, including The Young Musician (Tallinn, 2019), the International Anton Rubinstein Competition (Düsseldorf, 2020), The Young Ludwig Competition (Berlin, 2020), the Vienna International Music Competition (2020), and Musica Goritiensis (Italy, 2021), Damodar Das Castillo is one of the most promising young cellists today. He studied at the Pre-College of Mozarteum University Salzburg under Prof. Barbara Lübke-Herzl and, as a scholar of the MSJO–Standard Insurance International Scholarship Program, performs on a George Gerl cello.
On the repertoire for the concert is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Festival Coronation March (1883), written for Tsar Alexander III’s coronation, which brims with ceremonial flair through brass fanfares, festive rhythms, and a controversial quote from “God Save the Tsar.” Composed in just weeks, it has since reached global stages, including the opening of Carnegie Hall in 1891, showcasing Tchaikovsky’s gift for music that is both majestic and appealing.
Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme (1877) pays homage to Mozart’s classical elegance through a graceful theme and seven contrasting variations. Demanding both lyricism and virtuosity, it challenges the soloist with soaring melodies, rapid passagework, and intricate cadenzas, making it a cornerstone of the cello repertoire.
The Sleeping Beauty Suite (1889) by Tchaikovsky captures the magic of his ballet of the same title, through a series of orchestral highlights, blending graceful waltzes, lyrical adagios, and character dances. Renowned for its lush orchestration and melodic charm, the suite captures both the elegance of courtly dance and the fairy tale magic that make Sleeping Beauty one of his most enduring stage works.
Alexander Vikulov, Russian guest conductor
Damodar Das Castillo, cello
Dancing with Tchaikovsky is presented by the MSO Foundation Inc. and Standard Insurance, in partnership with EastWest Bank. Tickets are priced at VIP, P3,500; Premium Patron, P2,800; Regular Patron A, P2,000; Regular Patron B, P1,500; General Admission A, P1,000; and General Admission B, P650. Reserve your tickets via Ticketworld: https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/…/EATH2025883DT/tickets. Get 50 percent off for students with the code TCHAIKOVSKYSTUDENT50, and 20 percent off for seniors and PWDs with the code TCHAIKOVSKYMSO20. Please present valid IDs upon entry
Get 20 percent off on their Early Bird Promo with the code TCHAIKOVSKYEB20 until September 15, 2025, Monday, 11:59 pm.
Watch out for ‘The MSO 100th Anniversary Concert’ on January 22, 2026 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati, with Muyu Liu on piano, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, and Darrell Ang, guest conductor.
Follow The Manila Symphony Orchestra on social media: YouTube – Manila Symphony Orchestra; Facebook – Manila Symphony Orchestra; Instagram – @manila.symphony; TikTok – @manilasymphonyorchestra; and www.manilasymphony.com
