Contemporary Music

Ramon Santos, PhD• National Artist• “contemporary music in the

Philippines refers to compositions that have adopted ideas and elements from 20th century art music in the west, as well as the latest trends and musical styles in the entertainment industry.”

• The modern Filipino repertoire consists of musical pieces that have been written in 20th century idioms that have evolved out of such stylistic movements as impressionism, expressionism, neo-classicism, as well as avant garde and new music.

• New music are compositions which are improvisational works such as the early compositions of Dr. Ramon Santos, Radyasyon and Quadrasyon; Josefino “Chino” Toledo’s Samut-Sari, Pintigan and Terminal Lamentations, and Jonathan Baes’ Wala and Banwa.

20th Century

Traditional

Composers

FRANCISCO B. BUENCAMINO SR.

FRANCISCO B. BUENCAMINO SR.

(1883 – 1952) •November 5, 1883 in Bulacan. Son of a musically inclined couple.

•Fortunato Buencamino, a church organist and band master. •Luisa Beltran, a noted singer.

• Studied music composition and harmony at Liceo de Manila. Unfortunately, he was not able to finish.

• He taught at the Ateneo de Manila, and at Centro Escolar de Señoritas whose Conservatory of Music he founded.

• 1930, created Buencamino Music Academy.

• musical directing and scoring, and composing film music for Sampaguita Pictures, LVN, and Excelsior.

Buencamino’s compositions include • Harana, Pandanggo ni Neneng, • Collar de Sampaguita, Dulces las

Horas,• Mayon (Fantasia de Concierto),• My Soul’s Lament, Larawan, Mazurka,• Boholana, Mi Bandera, Princesa ng

Kumintang, • Maligayang Bati, Ang Bukang

Liwayway, Pandanggo ni Neneng, • Ang Bagong Balitaw, Himig ng Nayon,

Damdamin (Romance), and Pizzicato Caprice

• Many of his piano works have become a staple part of the Philippine repertoire of today’s young students, especially Mayon, Larawan, and Maligayang Bati.

• He also wrote several zarzuelas and kundimans.

• He passed away on October 16, 1952 after which a posthumous award honored him with the title “Outstanding Composer.”

Francisco Santiago

Francisco Santiago (1889 – 1947)

• “Father of the Kundiman”• “Triumvirate of Filipino

Composers.” • Music specialization

– American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, Doctorate Degree in 1924.

Music Style:– Romantic in style, incorporating

Western forms and techniques with folk materials.

• He composed such as:– kundiman, symphonies, piano

concertos, and other music pieces for the piano, violin, and voice

• Musical director for films. – Kundiman, – Leron Leron Sinta, – Madaling Araw, – Manileña, and the movie inspired by

his own composition “Pakiusap” • first Filipino Director, UP

Conservatory of Music.

Among his famous works are:

• Pakiusap,• Madaling Araw, • Sakali Man, • Hibik ng Pilipinas, • Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran, and

Kundiman (Anak Dalita).– This piece was sung before the

Royal Court of Spain upon the request of King Alfonso II.

NICANOR ABELARDO

NICANOR ABELARDO (1893 – 1934)

• “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers”

• He studied music at the Chicago Music College and was influenced by the musical styles of Schoenberg, Hindemith and Stravinsky.

• Music Style:– European romanticism with

chromaticism.

• His compositions contain – hazy tones, dissonance and

unusual chordal combinations found in such works as Cinderella Overture, Panoramas, and a violin sonata.

• Considered a composer in the Romantic style.

• Compositions include:– Mutya ng Pasig, Nasaan Ka Irog,

Cavatina for Violoncello, and Magbalik Ka Hirang.

ANTONIO J. MOLINA

ANTONIO J. MOLINA (1894 – 1980)

National Artist for Music • first National Artist for Music,

• “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers”

• He began his music career as an orchestral soloist at the Manila Grand Opera House.

• 1948 to 1970. Dean, Centro Escolar University Conservatory of Music.

• Music Style:• Product of both the Romantic

and Impressionist schools of thought.

• Dynamics and harmonies of Debussy,

• Romantic style in his melody • Impressionist work

– is his piano work Malikmata (Transfiguration).

• The mysteriously exotic chords of this piece gradually lead to a lyrical melody, with the traditional harmonies abruptly returning to the initial mood.

• Molina wrote several compositions– piano, violin and– Spanish-style opera form (zarzuela)

• Poignantly romantic serenade– violin and piano “Hatinggabi”.

Subsequent transcriptions of this piece were written for the cello, flute, piano, and guitar

• Other works by Molina include– orchestral music - Misa Antoniana

Grand Festival Mass, Ang Batingaw, Kundiman-Kundangan;

– chamber music - String Quartet, Kung sa Iyong Gunita, Pandangguhan; and

– vocal music - Amihan, Awit ni Maria Clara, and Larawan Nitong Pilipinas.

• 1973, National Artist for Music award.

• January 29, 1980. He passed away.

HILARION RUBIO Y FRANCISCO

(1902 – 1985) • October 21, 1902 in Bacoor, Cavite. • A composer, music teacher,

conductor, choirmaster clarinetist • Conductor for opera, ballet, dance

recitals, and movie music.• First interest in music, the “Bacoor

Band.” At Age of 8, member of the Bacoor Band as a clarinetist.

• First composition Unang Katas • First music lessons, with Fr.

Amando Buencamino, solfeggio and some musical instruments.

• Member of the Lyric Theater Orchestra, Trozo Band in Benavides Street, and the Band Moderna in Tondo.

• He co-founded the Anak Zapote Band. • became a bandleader and conductor of

the ROTC Band of the Conservatory of Music, University of the Philippines (UP) and played the violin and timpani with the UP Junior Symphony Orchestra.

• Vice President of the PASAMBAP (Pambansang Samahan ng mga Banda sa Pilipinas),

• the National Band Association, board and

• charter member of the League of Filipino composers, and

• the first President of the Philippine Bandmaster’s Association.

• He was conductor of the National Opera Company for 23 years from 1937 to 1960.

• Rubio’s compositions include: – Bulaklaken, – Theme and Variations for Band, – Dance of the Nymphs Rondo, – Florente at Laura (overture), – Halik, Danza, Unang Katas, – Twopart Invention (piano), – Ang Konsyerto (ballet),

– Ang Magsasaka, – Bukang Liwayway, – Concertino in C (marimba and

piano), – Filipinas Kong Mahal, – Hatulan Mo Ako, – Ginintuang Araw,– In a Tropical Sea, – Light, – Narra, – Mutya ng Silangan,

– To the Filipino Youth, – Nela, – National Heroes Day Hymn, and – Salamisim.

• He passed away on December 28, 1985.

COL. ANTONINO BUENAVENTURA

COL. ANTONINO BUENAVENTURA

(1904 – 1996) National Artist for Music • composer, conductor, and teacher.

• His father Lucio – chief musician of the Spanish

artillery band in Intramuros and founder of Banda Buenaventura

• Demonstrated a passion for music while learning the rudiments of music and solfeggio .

• proficient clarinet player.

• at age19, Conservatory of Music, University of the Philippines (UP).

• Teacher’s Diploma in Science and Composition at UP.

• Nicanor Abelardo and Francisco Santiago were among his famous mentors.

• led the UP ROTC Band and established the UP Junior Orchestra which was the first collegiate orchestra in the country.

• Institute of International Education in New York.

• study grant by the UNESCO in 1949. • He was a delegate to the general

assembly of the International Society for Music Education held in Montreux, Switzerland in 1976.

• He represented the country at the general meetings of the International Music Council (IMC) in Rome (1962) and Hamburg (1964).

• Actively involved with the various military bands which ultimately earned him his military rank of Colonel.

• He was a music instructor and band conductor of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

• 1945, restored the Philippine Constabulary Band.

• Philippine Constabulary Band– “one of the best military bands in

the world.” renamed the (Philippine Army Band).

He also founded the San Pablo Music Academy in Laguna.

• Faculty member of the UP Conservatory of Music.

• 1961, Music director of the Conservatory of Music, UST

• 1964, School of Music and Arts, UE.

• composed the music and folk dance notations for the dance researches of Aquino.

• popular compositions, remains a favorite performance repertoire of many folk dance companies.

• 1988, National Artist for Music.

•As a multi-awarded musician,

– Minuet, – Mindanao Sketches, – Divertimento for Piano and– Orchestra, – Variations and Fugue, and– Greetings based on Philippine

folk music. – Pandanggo sa Ilaw,

RODOLFO S. CORNEJO

RODOLFO S. CORNEJO (1909 – 1991)

• May 15, 1909 in Singalong, Manila. • at age 6, formal music lessons

inspired by his mother.• Organist of the Pasay Catholic

Church. • at age 10, started composing

entitled Glissando Waltz , military march entitled Salute.

• At age 14, 26 of Cornejo’s compositions were already listed by the United Publishing Company Inc.

• Teacher’s Diploma in Pianoforte and

• Teacher’s Diploma in Science and Composition at the Conservatory of Music, University of the Philippines (UP) in 1930.

• 1932, BM degree major in piano and theory from the CMCRU, USA

• 1933, MM degree major in composition and conducting at the CMCRU, USA.

• 1954, Doctor of Music degree honoris causa.

• 1947, Doctor of Philosophy degree major in composition from the Neotarian College of Philosophy in Kansas City, USA

• taught at the UP Conservatory of Music and became the researcher and official composer of the Philippine government-in-exile.

• was appointed by then President Manuel L. Quezon.

• He was commissioned to write a symphony and an opera and compose the music for the documentary film on President Quezon’s funeral.

• Pianist director of a USO concert unit that entertained the Allied Forces at the E.T.O., the Marianas, and the Hawaiian Islands during World War II.

• soloist of the Manila Symphony Orchestra, Filipinas Youth Symphony Orchestra, and UP Symphony Orchestra.

• musical director of the Sampaguita and Vera-Perez Movie Companies.

• Since 1978, he held concerts in the United States.

• composer-conductor at the Seattle Opera House and the Seattle Playhouse.

• He is listed in “The International Who’s Who in Music.”

• known for his extemporaneous thematic improvisations based on the letters of people’s names.

• He passed away on August 11, 1991.

His compositional output includes:

– A la Juventud Filipina, – Bailes de Ayer, – Caprice on a Folksong, – Cello Sonata, – Ibong Adarna, – Kandingan, – Malakas at Maganda, – Overture, – Okaka, – Oriental Fantasy, Piano Concerto

Nos. 1,2,3, Ruby, and Song of the Miners.

FELIPE PADILLA DE

LEON SR.

FELIPE PADILLA DE LEON SR. (1912 –

1992) • National Artist for Music • May 1, 1912 in Barrio Papaya

(now General Tinio) in Penaranda, Nueva Ecija.

• He is the son of Juan de Leon and Natalia Padilla.

• Married pianist Iluminada Mendoza with six children.

• FELIPE PADILLA DE LEON SR. Children:

–Bayani is a well-known composer, and–Felipe Jr. is a writer and the chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

• De Leon’s talent in painting and drawing.

• 1927, Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines.

• He played the trombone in dance orchestras which performed in cabarets, circuses and bodabil (vaudeville).

• Assistant conductor of the Nueva Ecija High School Orchestra (Ensemble)

• wrote music for the zarzuela.

• Conservatory of Music, University of the Philippines, where he studied under National Artists Col. Antonio Buenaventura and Antonio Molina.

• He wrote music columns for the Manila Times (then known as Manila Tribune) and Taliba.

• 1939, graduated with a music teacher's diploma, major in conducting.

• Advanced studies in composition under Vittorio Giannini of the Julliard School of Music in New York, USA.

• Composer of the Year (1949),

• Manila Music Lovers Society, • Musician of the Year (1958), • UP Conservatory of Music,

and others.• 1991, conferred an honorary

degree, doctor of philosophy in the humanities, UP.

De Leon wrote piano compositions:

• hymns, • marches, • art songs, • chamber music, • symphonic

poems, • overtures,

• band music, • school songs, • orchestral works, • operas, • kundiman, and • zarzuelas.

• known as a nationalist composer who expressed the Philippines' cultural identity through his compositions.

• Two operas which are considered his masterpieces are the:

– Noli Me Tangere (1957) and – El Filibusterismo (1970).

• He also wrote a march during the Japanese regime entitled – Tindig, – Aking Inang Bayan, – And another march Bagong

Lipunan during the martial law .• He wrote the popular Christmas carols – Payapang Daigdig (1946), – Noche Buena, and – Pasko Na Naman, both in 1965.

• 1997, posthumous award as National Artist for Music.

• He died on December 5, 1992.

LUCIO SAN PEDRO

LUCIO SAN PEDRO (1913 – 2002)

• National Artist for Music.• February 11, 1913 inAngono, Rizal.• Since his elementary days, he

started composing. • He studied the banjo which

inspired him to become a serious musician.

• Music Degree, University of the Philippines and the Juilliard School in New York, USA.

• known as a “romantic nationalist.

• Music Style:– Philippine folk elements with

Western forms and harmony.• His chords have a rich

expressive tonality, as represented in his well-loved – Sa Ugoy ng Duyan, a lullaby

melody sung by his mother. • His orchestral compositions

are best represented by the Suite Pastorale (1956),

• a poetic aural description of his hometown Angono, and his nationalistic symphonic poem Lahing Kayumanggi(1962).

• Other compositions include songs, pieces for violin, cello, and chorus.

• the symphonic band, prolific and productive both as composer and conductor.

• His musical prowess was internationally recognized when he was invited to be a judge at the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1980.

• 1991, National Artist for Music. • Passed away on March 31,

2002.

ROSENDO E. SANTOS JR.

ROSENDO E. SANTOS JR.

(1922 – 1994) • September 3, 1922 in Cavite City. • At age 11, he started composing

band marches, instrumental, and vocal scores, as well as music for Catholic masses.

• He studied in Cavite schools and later graduated from the UP Conservatory of Music where he eventually became a faculty member.

• He also pursued a Master of Music degree in theory and composition from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

• After which, he also served on its faculty as well as in West Virginia University and Howard University.

• As a UNESCO scholar, Santos was awarded the “Philippine Composer of the Century” after receiving the “Composer of the Year Award” in Manila in 1956 and 1957

• He joined the faculty at Wilkes University, Pennsylvania in 1968. He performed as timpanist, pianist, and conductor with several orchestral groups.

• He conducted church choirs in Maryland, New Jersey, Lehman, Huntsville, and Shavertown United Methodist Churches in Pennsylvania, USA.

• He composed the background music for J. Arthur Rank Films at Pinewood Studios in London, England, where he worked with British composers Malcolm Arnold and Muir Mathieson.

• Among Santos’ teachers were famous composers Aaron Copland, Irving Fine, Humphrey Searle, and conductor Norman Del Mar.

• A prolific composer,

• he had composed several piano concerti, sonatas, symphonies, symphonic poems, five operas in Filipino, numerous band overtures, and more than 200 marches.

• He had also written 50 masses in Latin and 20 in English.

• He has more than 1,000 musical compositions in the library of the University of the Philippines. Santos’ last musical work and only ballet composition, Melinda’s Masquerade,

• Melinda’s Masquerade, was performed in 1995, a year after his death.

• Santos passed away on November 4, 1994 in Swoyersville, Pennsylvania, USA.

ALFREDO BUENAVENTURA (1929)

• October 14, 1929 in Sta. Maria, Bulacan in Sta. Maria, Bulacan.

• composer, conductor and teacher.• He grew up in a musical

environment and became a band member in his hometown at a young age.

• He grew up in a musical environment and became a band member in his hometown at a young age.

• He was drawn by his fascination with trumpets and trombones and became one of its arrangers and conductors.

• He was one of twenty boy sopranos of Tiples at Sto. Domingo Church from where he received his first significant musical training. At that time, he also wrote his first composition, Danza ..

• A prolific composer, Buenaventura has composed over 50 major works including:– five full-length operas, – operettas, – dance dramas, – cantatas, – symphonies, – concertos, – ballets, – overtures, – prelude, – fugues, and – chamber music

• His compositions and other creative works have transcended territorial, racial, and language barriers as these have been performed abroad by international virtuosi and religious groups.

• Many of his compositions are based on Filipino heroes, legends, and epics.

• He uses native songs, both tribal and folk, as themes of his music compositions. A number of his compositions are accompanied by Filipino indigenous instruments.

Some of his major works include the

operas:– Maria Makiling (1961), – Diego Silang (1966), – Prinsesa Urduha (1969), – cantatas Ang Ating Watawat(1965),– Pasko ng Barangay (1964),

• three piano concertos subtitled– Celebration, – Determination, and – Exultation,

•symphonies such as – Dakilang Lahi (1971), – Gomburza (1981), and Rizal, – the Great Malayan Antagonist

(1990). minor works, 50 cover.– religious songs and – hymns for specific celebrations suchAs:

•the Sixteenth Centenary of St. Augustine,

•Mass for the 400th Year of the Augustinian Recollect, and

•the Philippine Music Festival.

• musical works have been commissioned by the Cultural Center of the Philippines,Metropolitan Theater, and the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA).

• compositional style:– contemporary and conventional

materials. – melodies simple and understandable

but with contemporary harmonies that enhance their complexity.

• in 1960, Official organist of the Manila Cathedral.

• Dean of the College of Music, Centro Escolar University.

• Member, League of Filipino Composers.

• An awardee of the – Republic Cultural Heritage

Award– The Outstanding Filipino Award

(TOFIL) for Music in 1995.

CIPRIANO “RYAN” CAYABYAB

CIPRIANO “RYAN” CAYABYAB

• popular contemporary composer

• classical compositions:– Misa, Four Poems for Soprano

and Piano, and Te Deum • compositional style:

– syncopation, extended chords, and chromatic harmony.

• Numerous compositions are the award-winning – Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika

(1978), as well as the – modern zarzuela Alikabok (2003), – the opera Spoliarium with libretto

by Fides Cuyugan-Asensio, and – a variety of choral pieces and

song cycles.produced a number of recordings,

including the memorable album One, where he personally sang the unaccompanied songs on different tracks to produce 16 voices.

• May 4, 1954 in Manila• Bachelor of Music degree at the

University of the Philippines’ College of Music.

• faculty member for Composition at the same University

• Executive and Artistic Director of the San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts.– operations and programming of the

San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra and the San Miguel Master Chorale.

• At present, he continues to be a much sought-after professor, musical director, composer, arranger, and conductor in the Philippine concert and recording scenes.