PHILIPPINE TRADITIONAL COMPOSERS

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.

National Artist Ramon Santos, PhD

Who said that 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.

Nicanor Abelardo

is one of the "Triumvirate of Filipino Composers" which includes Antonio Molina and Francisco Santiago. He studied music at the Chicago College of Music and was influenced by the musical styles of Schoenberg, Hindemith, and Stravinsky. (Mutya ng Pasig, Nasaan Ka Irog, Cavatina for Violoncello, at Magbalik Ka Hirang.)

Ryan Cayabyab

is a popular contemporary composer also has classical compositions to his credit, such as Misa, Four Poems for Soprano and Piano, and Te Deum.

Fransisco Santiago

is known as the "Father ofthe Kundiman" and belongs to the "Triumvirate of Filipino Composers." He finished his music specialization at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, where he obtained his Doctorate Degree in 1924. (Kundiman, Leron Leron Sinta, Madaling Araw, Manileña, and the movie inspired by his own composition Pakiusan.)

Lucrecia R. Kasilag

was born in San Fernando, La Union on August 31, 1918. She went to Manila to pursue a degree in Music at the Philippine Women's University. She then obtained her master's degree from the Eastman School of Music in New York, USA.

Ramon P. Santos

was born in Pasig on February 25, 1941. He completed his Bachelor of Music degree at the College of Music, University of the Philippines. He finished his Master of Music degree at Indiana University, USA. He received his Doctor of Philosophy degree i Composition at the State University of New York, USA. He had also pursued graduate studies in Ethnomusicology at the University of Illinois, USA. Santos compositional style features chromaticism, music series and electronic components, combined with indigenous Philippine music elements.

Francisco F. Feliciano

avant garde composer and conductor for band and chorus, was born on February 19, 1942, in Morong, Rizal. His first exposure to music was with the Morriz Band, a brass ensemble established and owned by his father, Maximiano Feliciano.

Antonio J. Molina

known as the "dean of Filipino composers," was born in Quiapo, Manila, on Deс. 26, 1894. He wrote over 500 musical compositions, including "Hatinggabi" and "Awit ni Maria Clara," and taught some of the country's musical icons like Lucresia Kasilag and Felipe de Leon.Molina,

Lucio San Pedro

His numerous works, influences and contributions to Philippine music led to the proclamation of Lucio San Pedro as a National Artist of the Philippines for Music on May 9, 1991 by President Corazon Aquinc.

is known as a "romantic nationalist."He incorporated Philippine folk elements in his compositions with Western forms and harmony. His chords have a rich expressive tonality, as represented in his wel-loved Sa Ugoy ng Duyan, a lullaby melody sung by his mother.

Col Antonio Buenaventura

He was formerly organist at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Manila and, among many other honours, received the Republican Cultural Heritage Awards in 1964 and 1972 and the Bonifacio Centennial Awards. The compositions of Alfredo Buenaventura include a number of operas, symphonic poems, vocal works and chamber music.

Levi Celerio

was born in Tondo on April 30, 1910. Не studied at the Academy of Music in Manila under e scholarship. Later, he went on to join the Manila Symphony Orchestra. Aside from writing his own lyrics, he also translated and re-wrote the lyrics of folksongs to traditional melodies like MaliwanagNa Buwan from llocos, Ako ay May Singsing from Pampanga, and Alibangbang from the Visayas.

George Canseco

was born on April 23, 1934, in Naic, Cavite. He graduated with a Liberal Arts degree at the University of the East. After graduation, he worked for the Philippines Herald and the Associated Press as a journalist. He also worked as a "freelance scriptwriter for hire" in Manila. His legacy as a composers Includes approximately 120 song titles including Ikaw, Kailangan Kita, Dito Ba, Hiram, Tubig at Langis, Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan, Sinasamba Kita, Kastilyong Buhangin,Sana Bukas Pa ang Kahapon, and etc.