20th Century Traditional Composers

20^th Century Traditional Composers

Francisco Beltran Buencamino Sr. was born on in Bulacan. He was the son of a musically inclined couple. His father was Fortunato Buencamino, a church organist and band master. His mother was Luisa Beltran, a noted singer. He 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. He also created the Buencamino Music Academy in 1930 where Nicanor Abelardo was one of his students. Expanding his career, he ventured into musical directing and scoring, and composing film music for Sampaguita Pictures, LVN, and Excelsior.

Buencamino’s compositions include Harana, PandanggoniNeneng, Collar de Sampaguita, Dulces las Horas, Mayon(Fantasia de Concierto), My Soul’s Lament, Larawan, Mazurka, Boholana, Mi Bandera, Princesa ng Kumintang, MaligayangBati, Ang BukangLiwayway, PandanggoniNeneng, 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, especiallyMayon, Larawan, and MaligayangBati. He also wrote several zarzuelas andkundimans. He passed away on October 16, 1952 after which a posthumous award honored him with the title “Outstanding Composer.”

Francisco Santiago is known as the “Father of the 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.

Santiago’s music was Romantic in style, incorporating Western forms and techniques with folk materials. He composed several works such as kundiman, symphonies, piano concertos, and other music pieces for the piano, violin, and voice.

Among his famous works arePakiusap, MadalingAraw, Sakali Man, Hibik ng Pilipinas, Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran, and  Kundiman (AnakDalita). This piece was sung before the Royal Court of Spain upon the request of King Alfonso II.  He was also a musical director for films.  Among the films whose music he supervised are Kundiman, LeronLeronSinta, MadalingAraw, Manileña, and the movie inspired by his own composition Pakiusap. He became the first Filipino Director of the UP Conservatory of Music.

Nicanor Abelardo is one of the “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers” which includes Antonio Molina and Francisco Santiago. He studied music at the Chicago Music College and was influenced by the musical styles of Schoenberg, Hindemith and Stravinsky.

Abelardo developed a style that combined 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. Although a 20th century modern composer in style, he is also considered a composer in the Romantic style. His best-known compositions includeMutya ng Pasig, Nasaan Ka Irog, Cavatina for Violoncello, and Magbalik Ka Hirang.

NICANOR ABELARDO (1893 – 1934)

Nicanor Abelardo is one of the “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers” which includes Antonio Molina and Francisco Santiago. He studied music at the Chicago Music College and was influenced by the musical styles of Schoenberg, Hindemith and Stravinsky.

Abelardo developed a style that combined 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. Although a 20th century modern composer in style, he is also considered a composer in the Romantic style. His best-known compositions includeMutya ng Pasig, Nasaan Ka Irog, Cavatina for Violoncello, and Magbalik Ka Hirang.

ANTONIO J. MOLINA (1894 – 1980) National Artist for Music

Antonio Molina, the first National Artist for Music, is considered one of the “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers” which includes Nicanor Abelardo and Francisco Santiago. He began his music career as an orchestral soloist at the Manila Grand Opera House.

He served as Dean of the Centro Escolar University Conservatory of Music from 1948 to 1970. He was also a faculty member of the University of the Philippines’ Conservatory (now College) of Music.

Molina was a product of both the Romantic and Impressionist schools of thought. He was fascinated by the dynamics and harmonies of Debussy, but retained much of the Romantic style in his melody. A characteristically 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 for piano, violin, and voice as well as a Spanish-style opera form known as the zarzuela.

He is best known for his poignantly romantic serenade for 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 saIyongGunita, Pandangguhan; and vocal music - Amihan, Awitni Maria Clara, and LarawanNitongPilipinas. He received the National Artist for Music award in 1973.  He passed away on January 29, 1980.

HILARION RUBIO Y FRANCISCO (1902 – 1985)

Hilarion Rubio was born on October 21, 1902 in Bacoor, Cavite. A composer, music teacher, conductor, and clarinetist, he created substantial works for the orchestra. He served as conductor for opera, ballet, dance recitals, and movie music.

His early interest in music came from the influence of his uncle who was then playing with the Bacoor Band. His first music lessons in music theory and clarinet were with Fr. AmandoBuencamino who taught him solfeggio and some musical instruments. When he was eight years old, he was accepted as a member of the Bacoor Band as a clarinetist.  At that time, he made his first composition Unang Katas for his concert with the band.In his high school years at the North High School (now Arellano High School), Rubio became a member of several orchestras. He performed with various movie house bands and orchestras. He was also a member of the Lyric Theater Orchestra, Trozo Band in Benavides Street, and the Band Moderna in Tondo.  After he graduated from high school in 1930, he co-founded the AnakZapote Band. He later 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.

After his student years, Rubio became a conductor of opera at the Manila Music School in 1936. He became the choirmaster and choral conductor of the Choir Islanders. Also, he assumed the position of instructor at the  Conservatory of Music, University of the Philippines. He was also a lecturer at the Buencamino Music Academy, La Concordia College, College of the Holy Spirit, Santa Isabel College, Laperal Music Academy, Manila Music School, St. Theresa’s College, and the Valencia Academy of Music. He became full professor of the UP Conservatory of Music from 1936-1937. He was appointed director of the Conservatory of Music, Centro Escolar University in 1944-1945.

During the Second World War, Rubio composed and arranged many works and conducted many military and civilian brass bands. After the war, he was appointed conductor of the Manila Municipal Symphony Orchestra. He held various positions, including as Vice President of the PASAMBAP (PambansangSamahan ng mga Banda saPilipinas), 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, BukangLiwayway, Concertino in C (marimba and piano), Filipinas Kong Mahal, Hatulan Mo Ako, GinintuangAraw, 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.

COLONEL ANTONINO BUENAVENTURA (1904 – 1996) National Artist for Music

Colonel Antonino Ramirez Buenaventura was a renowned composer, conductor, and teacher. His father Lucio was the chief musician of the Spanish artillery band in Intramuros and founder of Banda Buenaventura. As a young boy, he had already demonstrated a passion for music while learning the rudiments of music and solfeggio and becoming a proficient clarinet player.

Col. Buenaventura further developed his musical abilities at the Conservatory of Music, University of the Philippines (UP) at the age of 19. He received a Teacher’s Diploma in Science and Composition at UP. Nicanor Abelardo and Francisco Santiago were among his famous mentors. At the University, Buenaventura led the UP ROTC Band and established the UP Junior Orchestra which was the first collegiate orchestra in the country. He pursued further studies at the Institute of International Education in New York. He was also awarded a 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).

Buenaventura was 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).  Later, he restored the Philippine Constabulary Band in 1945, which was reputedly likened to a symphony orchestra. It was considered as “one of the best military bands in the world.” It would later be renamed the Philippine Army Band. He also founded the San Pablo Music Academy in Laguna.

Buenaventura was a faculty member of the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music. Later, he became the music director of the Conservatory of Music, University of Santo Tomas (UST) in 1961.  After retiring from the military, he became the music director at the School of Music and Arts, University of the East (UE) in 1964. He promoted Philippine music through his extensive use of folk materials which he had recorded around the country with Ramon Tolentino and National Artist for Dance Francisca Reyes Aquino. Buenaventura composed the music and folk dance notations for the dance researches of Aquino. As a multi-awarded musician, he composed Minuet, Mindanao Sketches, Divertimento for Piano and Orchestra, Variations and Fugue, and Greetings based on Philippine folk music.PandanggosaIlaw, one of his most popular compositions, remains a favorite performance repertoire of many folk dance companies. He was declared National Artist for Music in 1988 and passed away in 1996.

RODOLFO S. CORNEJO (1909 – 1991)

was born on May 15, 1909 in Singalong, Manila. Inspired by his mother’s genuine support, the young Cornejo started formal music lessons at the age of six.  He performed on stage after only two years of music studies. During this time, he was also invited as organist of the Pasay Catholic Church. His first composition at age 10 was a piano piece entitled Glissando Waltz. It was followed three years later by a military march entitled Salute.At the age of 14, 26 of Cornejo’s compositions were already listed by the United Publishing Company Incorporated.

Cornejo graduated with a Teacher’s Diploma in Pianoforte and a Teacher’s Diploma in Science and Composition at the Conservatory of Music, University of the Philippines in 1930. He received his Bachelor of Music degree major in piano and theory from the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University, USA in 1932. He received a Master of Music degree major in composition and conducting at the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University, USA in 1933. He was conferred a Doctor of Music degree honoris causa in 1954. He received his Doctor of Philosophy degree major in composition from the Neotarian College of Philosophy in Kansas City, USA in 1947.

Cornejo taught at the UP Conservatory of Music and became the researcher and official composer of the government-in-exile. He 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. He served as pianistdirector 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.

Cornejo was the soloist of the Manila Symphony Orchestra, Filipinas Youth Symphony Orchestra, and UP Symphony Orchestra. Later, he became the musical director of the Sampaguita and Vera-Perez Movie Companies. Since 1978, he held concerts in the United States. He appeared as composer-conductor at the Seattle Opera House and the Seattle Playhouse. He is listed in “The International Who’s Who in Music.”

Cornejo was also known for his extemporaneous thematic improvisations based on the letters of people’s names. His compositional output includes A la Juventud Filipina, Bailes de Ayer, Caprice on a Folksong, Cello Sonata, IbongAdarna, Kandingan, Malakas at Maganda, Overture, Okaka, Oriental Fantasy, IbongAdarna, Piano Concerto Nos. 1,2,3, Ruby, and Song of the Miners. He passed away on August 11, 1991.

FELIPE PADILLA DE LEON Sr. (1912 – 1992) National Artist for Music

Felipe Padilla de Leon was born on May 1, 1912 in Barrio Papaya (now General Tinio) in Penaranda, Nueva Ecija. He is the son of Juan de Leon and Natalia Padilla. Felipe de Leon married pianist Iluminada Mendoza with whom he had six children. Bayani and Felipe Jr., are two of his 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 was discovered during his school days and admired by his uncle, peers. People asked him to make illustrations and sketches and was paid for them.  When he was studying at the Nueva Ecija High School, he went on trips with his hometown band and wrote short pieces for them. He took up Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines in 1927, but he had to stop schooling to make a living. He played the trombone in dance orchestras which performed in cabarets, circuses andbodabjil (vaudeville). Then, he worked as an assistant conductor of the Nueva Ecija High School Orchestra where he started doing musical arrangements. Later, he wrote music for the zarzuela.

He decided to study formally and enrolled at the Conservatory of Music, University of the Philippines, where he studied under National Artists Col. Antonio Buenaventura and Antonio Molina. He contributed articles to the school paper and vernacular magazines. Later, he wrote music columns for the Manila Times (then known as Manila Tribune) and Taliba. He graduated with a music teacher's diploma, major in conducting in 1939. Much later, he took advanced studies in composition under Vittorio Giannini of the Julliard School of Music in New York, USA. De Leon received many awards, such as Composer of the Year (1949), Manila Music Lovers Society, Musician of the Year (1958), UP Conservatory of Music, and others. He was conferred an honorary degree, doctor of philosophy in the humanities, by the University of the Philippines in 1991.

De Leon wrote piano compositions, hymns, marches, art songs, chamber music, symphonic poems, overtures, band music, school songs, orchestral works, operas, kundiman, and zarzuelas. He was 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). These two operas have been staged in the Philippines and abroad. He also wrote a march during the Japanese regime entitled Tindig, AkingInang Bayan, and another march Bagong Lipunan during the martial law. He wrote the popular Christmas carolsPayapangDaigdig (1946), Noche Buena, and Pasko Na Naman, both in 1965. Felipe de Leon received a posthumous award as National Artist for Music in 1997. He died on December 5, 1992.

LUCIO SAN PEDRO (1913 – 2002) National Artist for Music

Lucio San Pedrowas born on February11, 1913 inAngono, Rizal. Since his elementary days, he started composing.  He studied the banjo which inspired him to become a serious musician.He later pursued his music degreeat theUniversity of the PhilippinesandtheJuilliardSchoolin New York, USA. Upon returning to the Philippines, he became a professor of theory and composition at the University of the Philippines’ College of Music.

San Pedro 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 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 LahingKayumanggi(1962). Other compositions include songs, pieces for violin, cello, and chorus. His works for the symphonic band was where he was most 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. He was declared National Artist for Music in 1991 and passed away on March 31, 2002.

ROSENDO E. SANTOS Jr. (1922 – 1994)

was born on 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, was performed in 1995, a year after his death. Santos passed away on November 4, 1994 in Swoyersville, Pennsylvania, USA.

Dr. Alfredo Santos Buenaventura, composer, conductor and teacher, was born in Sta. Maria, Bulacan on October 14, 1929. 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 internationalvirtuosi 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), PrinsesaUrduha(1969),cantatas Ang AtingWatawat(1965), Pasko ng Barangay (1964), three piano concertos subtitled Celebration, Determination, and Exultation, andsymphonies such as DakilangLahi (1971), Gomburza (1981), and Rizal, the Great Malayan Antagonist (1990). His minor works numbering more than 50 cover mostly 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. His other creative musical works have been commissioned by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Metropolitan Theater, and the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA).

Buenaventura’s compositional style rests mainly on his own set of musical ideas, wherein he creates a combination of contemporary and conventional materials. He keeps his melodies simple and understandable but with contemporary harmonies that enhance their complexity. He became an official organist of the Manila Cathedral in 1960. He became the Dean of the College of Music, Centro Escolar University. He is a member of the League of Filipino Composers. He received a number of awards in the music industry. He was twice an awardee of the Republic Cultural Heritage Award and the The Outstanding Filipino Award (TOFIL) for Music in 1995.

CIPRIANO “RYAN” CAYABYAB (1954 –      )

Ryan Cayabyab is a popular contemporary composer who also has classical compositions to his credit, such as Misa, Four Poems for Soprano and Piano, and Te Deum. His compositional style makes much use of syncopation, extended chords, and chromatic harmony.

Among his numerous compositions are the award-winning Kay Ganda ng AtingMusika (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. He also produced a number of recordings, including the memorable album One, where he personally sang the unaccompanied songs on different tracks to produce 16 voices.

Cayabyab was born on May 4, 1954 in Manila. He obtained his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of the Philippines’ College of Music. After which, he became a faculty member for Composition at the same University. He also served as the Executive and Artistic Director of the San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts, which oversaw the 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.

SUMMARY

With the European and American influences brought by our colonizers, it was inevitable that the musical styles of 20th century Western composers found their way into Philippine compositions.

Francisco Buencamino founded the Centro Escolar de Señoritas, Conservatory of Music. He also created the Buencamino Music Academy in 1930. Nicanor Abelardowas one of his students. Expanding his career, Buencamino also ventured into musical direction and scoring, composing music for Sampaguita Pictures, LVN, and Excelsior. He also wrote several zarzuelas and kundiman. Francisco Santiago is known as the “Father of the Kundiman” and belongs to the “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers.”

Nicanor Abelardo developed a style that combined European romanticism with chromaticism.  He belongs to the “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers” together with Francisco Santiago and Antonio Molina.  The Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Abelardo Hall of the College of Music, University of the Philippines are named after him. Antonio Molina came to be known as the “Father of Philippine Impressionist Music,” while composer Lucio San Pedro integrated indigenous musical forms, conventions, and instruments in his works in the modern nationalistic style.

Hilarion Rubio was a Filipino composer, music teacher, conductor, and clarinetist.  His name was closely identified with his works for the orchestra, conductor for opera, ballet, dance recitals, and music for movies.Col. Antonino Buenaventura promoted Philippine music by extensively using folk materials in his works. He recorded folk and dance music around the country with Ramon Tolentino and National Artist for Dance Francisca Reyes Aquino. Buenaventura composed the music and did the notations for the folk dances as researched by Aquino.

Rodolfo S. Cornejo was considered “the first Filipino composer who received an honory degree from a government recognized music school in the United States.” He was known for his “pianistic and compositional talent” by extemporizing a piano composition at the spur of the moment. Felipe P. de Leon wrote piano compositions, hymns, marches, art songs, chamber music, symphonic poems, overtures, band music, school songs, orchestral works, operas, kundimans and zarsuelas. He was known as a nationalist composer who expressed the Philippines' cultural identity through his compositions.

Lucio San Pedro 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 well-lovedSa  Ugoy ng  Duyan,a lullaby  melody sung by his mother. Rosendo Santos Jr. is listed in the “New Groves Dictionary of Music and Musicians.” A prolific composer, his works include concerti, sonatas, symphonies, symphonic poems, five operas in Philippine dialect, numerous band overtures,

and more than 200 marches. He wrote 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.

Alfredo Buenaventura is among the few composers in the Philippines who composed five full-length operas. He has his own set of ideas about music and composition. He created a combination of contemporary and conventional, kept his melodies simple and understandable, but he used contemporary harmonies to suit the intellectuals. Contemporary composer and conductor Ryan Cayabyab spans both popular and classical worlds with his pop, ballads, operas, zarzuela, orchestral, and choral compositions.


Source: Grade 10 Learners Material