MUSIC 10 - QUARTER III

CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE MUSIC • He studied the banjo which inspired him to

What is Contemporary Music? become a serious musician. He later pursued his
According to National Artist Dr. Ramon Santos, music degree at the University of the Philippines
“contemporary music in the Philippines refers to and at the Juilliard School in New York, USA.
compositions that have adopted ideas and elements • San Pedro is known as a “romantic nationalist.” He
from 20th century art music in the west, as well as the incorporated Philippine folk elements in his
latest trends and musical styles in the entertainment compositions with Western forms and harmony.
industry.” • Arguably, his most popular work is the well-loved
“Sa Ugoy ng Duyan”, a lullaby melody sung by his
FILIPINO TRADITIONAL COMPOSERS mother. He composed “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan”
1. FRANCISCO SANTIAGO together with his friend Levi Celerio as the lyricist.
• He is considered as the “Father of Kundiman” • He was declared National Artist for Music in 1991
• He finished his music specialization at the American and passed away on March 31, 2002.
Conservatory of Music in Chicago where he 5. CIPRIANO “RYAN” CAYABYAB
obtained his Doctorate Degree in 1924. • He is also known as Mr. C, is a popular
Famous works of Francisco Santiago: contemporary composer who also has classical
• Pakiusap • Hibik ng Pilipinas compositions to his credit, such as “Misa” and
• Madaling Araw • Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran “Misa 2000”, “Four Poems for Soprano and
• Sakali Man • Kundiman (Anak Dalita). Piano”, and “Te Deum”.
2. NICANOR ABELARDO • He was born on May 4, 1954, in Manila. He
• He studied music at the Chicago Music College and obtained his Bachelor of Music degree at the
was influenced by the musical styles of the University of the Philippines, College of Music in
Serialist/Second Viennese School and Post- 1983. After which, he became a faculty member
Romantic European composers. for Composition at the same University.
• Abelardo, together with Francisco Santiago • He was named National Artist for Music in 2018.
elevated the status of the Kundiman into an Art • Among his numerous compositions are the award-
Song status equivalent to that of the German Lied, winning “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” (1978),
the French Chanson, and the Italian Aria. Paraiso (1991), as well as the modern zarzuela
Famous works of Nicanor Abelardo: “Alikabok” (2003), and the musical “Lorenzo” –
• Mutya ng Pasig • Nasaan Ka Irog based on the life of St. Lorenzo Ruiz (2013).
• Bituing Marikit • Ikaw Rin
• Kundiman ng Luha • Pahimakas NEW MUSIC COMPOSERS
3. ANTONIO MOLINA 1. JOSE MACEDA – He was born on January 17,
• He began his music career as an orchestral soloist 1917, in Manila and died on May 5, 2004. He first took
at the Manila Grand Opera House. his music studies at the Academy of Music in Manila.
• He served as Dean of the Centro Escolar Maceda’s Musical Style and Inspiration – His style
University, Conservatory of Music from 1948 to started to transform when he encountered the music
1970. of indigenous groups of Mindoro in 1953. His life was
• He is the first National Artist for Music. He received committed to the preservation of Filipino Traditional
the National Artist for Music award in 1973. He music. With his dedication to his field of work, he made
passed away on January 29, 1980. a collection of recorded music taken from the remote
Famous works of Antonio Molina: mountain villages all over the Philippines. Maceda’s
• Malikmata • Kundiman-Kundangan musical style still holds western musical ideas but
• Hatinggabi • Kung sa Iyong Gunita creatively combined environmental sounds with ethnic
instruments.
• Ang Batingaw • Pandangguhan
Works of Maceda:
• Amihan • Awit ni Maria Clara
• Ugma-Ugma (1963) for voice and ethnic
4. LUCIO SAN PEDRO
instruments
• He was born on February 11, 1913, in Angono,
• Agungan (1975) for 6 gong families
Rizal. Since his elementary days, he started
composing. • Pagsamba (1968) for ethnic percussions

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 MUSIC 10 - QUARTER III
• Cassettes 100 (1971) for 100 cassette tape solo instrument, to orchestra, chorus, chamber
recorders ensemble, theater, and film.
2. LUCRECIA R. KASILAG – She is a National Artist for Some Works of Toledo
Music (1989), pianist and composer. She was born on • Kwaderno No.2: Para sa Perkusyon (Chamber
August 31, 1918 in San Fernando La Union and died on Music)
August 16, 2008. She was raised in a family of • Sitsit Digidak (Chamber choir)
musicians. In fact, her mother was her first solfeggio • Kah-non (orchestra)
teacher. • Tanikala 2o (Symphonic band)
Kasilag’s Style – Kasilag was famous for creating a 5. Jonas Baes – He is a composer born in Los Baňos,
unique musical sound for Filipinos. She was known to Laguna in 1961. He studied Bachelor of Music major in
compose music by combining western orchestral Composition at the University of the Philippines
instruments with indigenous Filipino instruments. This Diliman, College of Music under Ramos P. Santos from
allowed her music to stand out unique to other music 1977-1982. He also studied musicology with Jose
composition. Maceda from 1982-1985 in the same university.
Some Works of Kasilag: Baes’ Musical Style - Baes’ research about the music
• Dularawan: Salakot na Ginto (1969)- Work for stage of the Iraya-Mangyan people of Mindoro gave him
• Violin Concerto No. 1 (983) and No. 2 (1994) inspiration in his music compositions. He is known for
• Misang Pilipino (1966) – Choral Music composing music utilizing “unorthodox” musical
• The Legend of Sarimanok (1963) – For orchestra instruments like bean-pod rattles, leaves, iron-nail
3. RAMON P. SANTOS – He is a remarkable chimes as well as variety of Asian instruments like
contemporary composer, conductor, and musicologist in bamboo scrapers and flute.
the Philippines. He was born on February 25, 1941, in Baes’ Works
Pasig, Metro Manila. He was bestowed with National • Wala (1997-201) for 7 or hundreds of men’s voice
Artist for Music in 2014. • Daluy (1994) for 5 animator-percussionists and
Santos’ Musical Style – Ramon Santos was greatly about a hundred bird whistles distributed among the
inspired by Mahler and Debussy from which his audience
compositional style shifted from a Neo Classicism to a • Salaysay- for solo voice, 3 percussionists and pairs
distinct sound merging many influences he had in of pebbles distributed among the audience
different countries including Philippine and Asian ideas. LEVI CELERIO – He is a Filipino prolific song writer and
He became more interested in open-ended structures of composer born on April 30, 1912, in Tondo Manila and
time and space, function as a compositional concept. died on April 2, 2002. He wrote more than 4,000 Filipino
His compositional styled involved environmental works, songs. He was also included in the Guinness Book of
non-conventional instruments, and the incorporation of Records for his skill in playing music using a leaf.
natural forces in the execution of creating sound. Celerio was bestowed the National Artist for Music and
Some works of Santos Literature in 1997 by the former president Fidel Ramos
• Pangahoy and was recognized as composer and lyricist who
• L’Bad inspired every Filipino.
• Nagnit Igak G’nan Wagnwag Nila (Alingawngaw ng Cereliro’s Works
Kagitingan) • Ang Pasko ay Sumapit • Itik-Itik
• Awit ni Pulau • Kahit Konting Pagtingin • Pitong Gatang
4. JOSEFINO TOLEDO or better known as Chino • Saan Ka Man Naroon • Waray-Waray
Toledo in the music world, is a notable composer- • Ugoy ng Duyan (Lyrics) • Ang Pipit
conductor. At present, he is the Executive Director of Constancio Canseco De Guzman – He was born on
Miriam College Center for Applied Music. He teaches November 11, 1903 in Guiguinto, Bulacan and died on
major courses for composition and Music Theory. August 16, 1982. He was acknowledged as the “Dean of
Toledo is also the founding director of the Metro-Manila Filipino Movie Composers and Musical Directors.” De
Concert Orchestra (MMCO). Guzman’s Panaginip gave way for his opportunity to
Toledo’s Musical Style – Toledo’s approach to his record many songs under Villar and Columbia Records.
music composition is described as “pure and powerful”. • Ang Bayan Ko • Babalik Ka Rin
He fuses contemporary western music ideas and • Kung Kita’y Kapiling • Ang Tangi Kong Pag-Ibig
Southeast Asian flavors. His compositions stretch from
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