Notes: Traditional and New Philippine Music Composers

Traditional Music: Key Composers and Highlights

  • Lucio San Pedro (1913–2002)

    • National Artist of the Philippines for Music (1991)
    • Master composer, conductor, and teacher; from a family of musicians
    • Notable work: “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan” (lyrics by Levi Celerio)
    • Died: 31 March 2002 (cardiac arrest)

  • Antonio Molina (1894–1980)

    • National Artist for Music (1973); nicknamed the “First National Artist in Music”
    • First composition: “Matinal” (1912)
    • First to perform his works in Malacañang Palace
    • Called the “Claude Debussy of the Philippines” and the “Dean of Filipino Composers”
    • Integrated indigenous instruments (kulintang, gabbang) in his symphonies; fused kundiman with chamber music;
      regarded as Father of Modern Music
    • Died: 1980 (age 86)

  • Rodolfo Cornejo (1909–1991)

    • Composer, conductor, and pianist
    • First composition: “Glissando Waltz”
    • Created “Impromptu classical improvisation” (inspired by telephone numbers, car plates, names)
    • Theatrical Ballet Music: “Ibong Adarna”
    • Died: Manila, Aug 11, 1991; listed in The International Who’s Who in Music

  • Hilarion Rubio (1902–1985)

    • Renowned conductor for chorus and band
    • First composition: “Unang Katas”
    • Founded the Anak Zapote Band after high school
    • Composed “Kalooye-tabe” for piano

New Music: Avant-Garde and Contemporary Philippine Composers

  • Jose M. Maceda (1917–2004)

    • First Avant-garde composer of the Philippines; National Artist for Music (1997)
    • Major works:
    • Ugma-ugma II (1963) for Asian instruments and voices
    • Agungan (six gong families)
    • Kubing (bamboo percussion and men’s voices)
    • Pagsamba (ritual music, 1968)
    • Cassettes 100 (one hundred cassette tape recorders)
    • Ugnayan (music for several radio stations in Manila)
    • Udlot-udlot (premiered 1975 at CCP parking lot with 800 performers)

  • Lucrecia R. Kasilag (1918–2008)

    • National Artist for Music (1989); often called the “First Lady of Philippine Music”
    • Began composing during World War II; contributed over 250 works
    • Died: August 16, 2008

  • Jeremiah A. Dadap (1935– )

    • First orchestral composition: “The Passionate and the Wild” (1960)
    • Experimented with combining rondalla ensemble with Western orchestra

  • Ramon P. Santos (1941– )

    • Avant-garde: free serialization, electronic music, controlled improvisation
    • Notable works:
    • “Ding Ding Nga Diyawa” (1971) – choral with Western and Eastern percussion
    • “Nabasag ang Banga” (1973) – for sixteen performers with audience
    • “Siklo” – perception of the universe through life forms; includes vocal utterances and synthesizer heartbeats

Song Composers: Notable Figures and Contributions

  • Constancio de Guzman Sr. (1903–1982)

    • Renowned music director and movie composer
    • Notable works:
    • “Maalaala Mo Kaya” (tango)
    • “Ang Langit Ko’y Ikaw Sinta” (dansa)
    • “Bakit mo Ako Pinaluluha” (tango)
    • “Pamaypay ng Maynila” (balitaw)
    • “Ang tangi Kong Pag-ibig” (dansa)
    • “Sa Duyan ng Pagmamahal” (tango)
    • “Nasaan Ngayon ang Sumpa Mo sa Akin” (kundiman)
    • “Bayan Ko” (nationalistic)
    • “Sa Piling mo” (tango)

  • Levi Celerio (1910–2002)

    • National Artist for Music and Literature (1997); Guinness recognition as “the only leaf player in the world”
    • Composed over 4,000 songs across Christmas, folk, love, and patriotic themes
    • Notable songs:
    • “Pasko Na Naman”
    • “Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon”
    • “Misa de Gallo”
    • “Kahit Konting Pagtingin”

  • Mike Velarde (1913–1985)

    • “Think Filipino, Write Filipino, and Sound Filipino” — guiding principle
    • First hit: “Ugoy-ugoy Blues”
    • FAMAS awards: Best Picture (1960), Best Musical Director (1961)
    • Notable works:
    • “Amor Santo” (1935)
    • “Habang Buhay” (1938)
    • “Lahat ng Araw” (1939)

  • George Canseco (1934–2004)

    • Nationally acclaimed songwriter; commissioned to write “Ako ay Pilipino” for Imelda Marcos (1972)
    • President of FILSCAP (Filipino Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers)
    • Notable works:
    • “Ngayon at Kailanman” (1992)
    • “Muling Ibalik ang Tamis ng Pag-ibig” (1998)
    • Died: November 19, 2004 (liver disease, lung cancer)

Quick Key Facts for Review

  • First Avant-garde composer: Jose M. Maceda
  • First National Artist in Music: Antonio Molina (1973)
  • National Artist for Music in 1991: Lucio San Pedro
  • National Artist for Music in 1989: Lucrecia R. Kasilag
  • Composer who commissioned to Malacañang Palace performances: Antonio Molina
  • Indigenous instrument integration in symphonies: Antonio Molina (kulintang, gabbang)
  • Theatrical Ballet Music: Ibong Adarna (Rodolfo Cornejo)
  • First Lady of Philippine Music: Lucrecia R. Kasilag
  • Notable avant-garde works with electronic/experimental forms: Jose M. Maceda, Ramon P. Santos
  • Song composer known for prolific output: Levi Celerio (≈4,000 songs)
  • Composer with the slogan “Think Filipino, Write Filipino, and Sound Filipino”: Mike Velarde
  • Nationalist song and leadership role: Constancio de Guzman Sr. (e.g., Bayan Ko; Maalaala Mo Kaya)

End of Notes