Contemporary

Music
Ramon Santos,
P hD
• 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, so lfe g g io 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:
– Bulaklake n,
– The me and Variatio ns fo r Band,
– Dance o f the Nymphs Ro ndo ,
– Flo re nte at Laura (overture),
– Halik, Danza, Unang Katas,
– Two part Inve ntio n (piano),
– Ang Ko nsye rto (ballet),
– Ang Mag sasaka,
– Bukang Liwayway,
– Co nce rtino in C (marimba and piano),
– Filipinas Ko ng Mahal,
– Hatulan Mo Ako ,
– Ginintuang Araw,
– In a Tro pical Se a,
– Lig ht,
– Narra,
– Mutya ng Silang an,
 – To the Filipino Yo uth,
– Ne la,
– Natio nal He ro e s 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 so lfe g g io .
• 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, • band music,
• symphonic poems, • school songs,
• overtures, • 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 such
As:
• 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.