Last February 11, FILharmoniKA, led by Gerard Salonga, had a concert with David Benoit at the PICC! Our team of arrangers orchestrated some numbers. I had the opportunity to write the orchestration to David Benoit’s version of Human Nature.







Arrangers with David Benoit. From L-R: me, Denis Catli, Marvin Querido, JD Villanueva, David Benoit, Gerard Salonga (also musical director/conductor)




Denis Catli, Marvin Querido, me, Tots Tolentino, JD Villanueva



(Photos by Roxy Modesto)



Hop on over to Marvin Querido’s Page for photos of the orchestra in action.

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Tags: David Benoit,Gerard Salonga,JD Villanueva,Marvin Querido,Denis Catli

Gerard Salonga was invited to conduct the Hong Kong Philharmonic for their concert with Elisa Chan, one of the top singers in Hong Kong. Gerard, along with me, JD Villanueva and Marvin Querido, also arranged some tunes for this show. Dex and I, together with the other arrangers, came over to Hong Kong to watch the concert and the rehearsals. It was such a treat for us - HKPO is a stellar orchestra!

I’ve set my Facebook albums to public, so just hop on over there for the photos. I don’t really have time to blog about the trip in detail, so..

Hong Kong trip Day 1
Hong Kong trip Day 2 - watched HKPO rehearsals and had lots of dimsum
Hong Kong trip Day 3 - watched HKPO rehearsals and headed over to Sai Kung, seafood city.
Hong Kong trip Day 4 - saw Hong Kong Disneyland musicians, our friends from the Philippines. Also watched the HKPO matinee concert but I have no photos of that..
Hong Kong trip Day 5 - after the concert, we went on a junk boat trip with some of the members of HKPO.


Here are photos of the trip from Marvin Querido.


Cheers!



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Tags: hong kong philharmonic,Gerard Salonga,Marvin Querido,JD Villanueva

Arranging for the HKPO and Lee Hom Wang has been a great experience for me, and I hope there'll be more gigs of this kind what a great way to end the year 2008.

My arrangements: (I also did A Simple Song but couldn't find the video)

Falling Leaf Returns to Its Root (Luo Ye Gui Gen)



Heroes of Earth (Gai Shi Ying Xiong)



This is one of Gerard's arrangements. The other two were Jingle Bell Rock and Last Night.

Open Your Heart (Fang Kai Ni De Xin)



This one is Marvin's (as well as Forever Love)

Mi Mancherai


I couldn't find JD's yet, will update this as soon as I do.

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Related posts:
Hong Kong Day Three - Ocean Park and HKPO Concert
Hong Kong Day One and Two
1st Day in HK - Rehearsals and Dimsum
Off to Hong Kong

Tags: Lee hom Wang,Gerard Salonga,hong kong philharmonic,ria villena osorio,Gai shi ying Xiong,Heroes of Earth,JD Villanueva,Luo Ye Gui Gen,Falling Leaf,Marvin Querido

FILharmoniKa's Kumpas is out on the market! Go get yourselves a copy, and support Philippine orchestral music.



For only P285, you get all these cool tracks:
(side comments regarding the arrangements are mine)

1. Laki Sa Layaw - arranged by JD Villanueva
- elegant orchestration. Stravinsky meets Copland meets San Mig Light.

2. 214 - arranged by Ria Osorio
- with a hint of electronica.

3. Kanlungan - arranged by Marvin Querido. Featuring Noel Cabangon on vocals
- sentimental, very moving

4. Muntik Nang Maabot ang Langit - arranged by Marvin Querido

5. Tao - arranged by Marvin Querido. Featuring Sampaguita on vocals.
- one of my favorite tracks

6. Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo (by Dong Abay)- arranged by Ria Osorio
- I really enjoyed making this arrangement because this song is one of my favorites. It's sure to become a classic Pinoy Rock song.

7. Ang Huling El Bimbo - arranged by Ria Osorio. Featuring Ely Buendia on vocals.
- Had a hard time with this one because the original is so deeply etched in my mind, as I've been a fan of Eraserheads way back, but I needed to make a new version. I tried to make the arrangement sentimental/nostalgic.

8. Paglisan - arranged by Marvin Querido

9. Salamat - arranged by Dennis Catli/Sharon Feliciano
- lively, good vibes

10. Himig Natin - arranged by Gerard Salonga. Featuring Wally Gonzales on guitar.

11. Next In Line - arranged by JD Villanueva

all tracks conducted and produced by Gerard Salonga

I really enjoyed working on this album. The songs which were assigned to me were songs which I already liked, and knew by heart, back in high school. So it was real challenge to get the original versions out of my head and try to make new ones.

Buy, buy, buy it!

Here's a clip from IMEEM. You can also hear it played in NU 107.