Summary
Highlights
Contemporary Philippine music is defined as compositions that adopt ideas and elements from 20th-century art music in the West, as well as modern trends and musical styles from the entertainment industry. The modern Filipino repertoire combines 20th-century idioms from stylistic movements like Impressionism, Expressionism, Neoclassicism, Avant-Garde, and New Music. Despite Western colonization, Filipino composers have incorporated traditional elements into their works, laying the foundation for modern Philippine music.
Francisco Buencamino Sr. was a prominent composer, born in Bulacan to a musically inclined family. He studied music composition and harmony, founded the Buencamino Music Academy, and composed film scores. His notable works include "Harana," "Pangong Harana," "Ang Larawan," and "Maligayang Bati." He is renowned for his piano works that are now staples in the Philippine repertoire. He was awarded the title of 'Outstanding Composer' posthumously.
Francisco Santiago, known as the 'Father of the Kundiman,' is a significant figure in Filipino composition. He earned his doctorate from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. His romantic-style music blended Western techniques with Filipino folk materials, evident in his kundiman pieces, symphonies, piano concertos, and "Pakiusap." He was also a musical director for films and the first Filipino director of the UP Conservatory of Music. He composed "Filipinas Kung Mahal," a popular patriotic song.
Nicanor Abelardo is one of the "triumvirate" of Filipino composers. He studied at the Chicago Music College and was influenced by Schoenberg, Hindemith, and Stravinsky. His style combined European Romanticism with chromaticism, featuring hazy tones, dissonance, and unusual chord combinations. His famous compositions include "Cinderella Overture," "Panoramas," "Nasaan Ka Irog," and "Magbalik Ka Hirang."
Antonio Molina, the first National Artist for Music, was also part of the "triumvirate." He began as an orchestral soloist and served as dean of the Central Escolar University Conservatory of Music. Influenced by both romantic and impressionist schools, he was fascinated by Debussy's harmonies while retaining a romantic melody. His works include the impressionistic piano piece "Malikmata," the serenade "Hating Gabi," orchestral music, chamber music, and vocal compositions. He received the National Artist for Music award in 1973.
Hilarion Rubio was a distinguished composer, music teacher, conductor, and clarinetist. He created substantial orchestral works, conducted operas, ballets, and movie music. He co-founded the Anak Zapote Band, became a band leader, and held various academic positions. During WWII, he composed and arranged many works for military and civilian brass bands. His compositions include "Bulaklaken Theme and Variations," "Dance of the Nymphs," and numerous instrumental and vocal pieces.
Colonel Antonio Buenaventura, a National Artist for Music, was a respected composer, conductor, and teacher. He developed his musical skills at the UP Conservatory of Music, studying under Nicanor Abelardo and Francisco Santiago. He led the UPC band, established the UP Junior Orchestra, and pursued further studies abroad. Buenaventura was actively involved with military bands, restoring the Philippine Constabulary Band. He promoted Philippine music through folk materials and composed pieces like "Minuet," "Mindanao Sketches," and "Pandanggo sa Ilaw." He was declared National Artist for Music in 1988.
Rodolfo Cornejo was a child prodigy who began formal music lessons at age six and started composing at age ten with "Glissando Waltz." He earned multiple degrees from the University of the Philippines and Roosevelt University. He served as the official composer for the Philippine government in exile, entertained Allied Forces during WWII, and was a soloist with various orchestras. Known for his improvisations, his extensive compositional output includes symphonies, operas, piano concertos, and numerous other works.
Felipe Padilla de Leon Sr., a National Artist for Music, was a nationalist composer who expressed Filipino cultural identity through his works. He initially studied Fine Arts but transitioned to music, playing trombone in dance orchestras and writing music for zarzuelas. He studied at the UP Conservatory of Music and contributed to vernacular magazines and music columns. His masterpieces include the operas "Noli Me Tángere" and "El Filibusterismo," and popular Christmas carols like "Payapang Daigdig." He was recognized as National Artist for Music in 1997.
Lucio San Pedro, a National Artist for Music, began composing in elementary school and studied at the University of the Philippines and Juilliard School. Known as a romantic nationalist, he integrated Filipino folk elements with Western forms and harmony, exemplified by "Sa Ugoy ng Duyan." His orchestral works include "The Awakened Stream" and "Lahing Kayumanggi." He was prolific in compositions for symphonic bands and was recognized internationally as a judge for the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. He was declared National Artist for Music in 1991.
Rosendo Santos Jr. started composing band marches at age eleven and later studied at the UP Conservatory of Music and Catholic University of America. He served on the faculty of various universities and was awarded the "Philippine Composer of the Century." He performed as a pianist, organist, and conductor, and composed background music for films in London. A prolific composer, he created piano concerti, sonatas, symphonies, five operas, band overtures, over 200 marches, and more than 50 Latin masses, totaling over 1,000 musical compositions.
Dr. Alfredo Santos Buenaventura is a composer, conductor, and teacher who grew up in a musical environment. He was a boy soprano at Santo Domingo Church and wrote his first composition, "Danza." His major works include operas like "Maria Makiling" and "Princessa Urduja," cantatas, three piano concertos, and symphonies. His minor works consist of religious songs and hymns commissioned by various cultural institutions. Buenaventura combines contemporary and conventional musical ideas, creating simple melodies with complex contemporary harmonies. He became an organist of the Manila Cathedral and dean of the College of Music Central Escolar University.
Ryan Cayabyab is a popular contemporary composer with both classical and popular music credits, including "Misa," "Four Poems for Soprano and Piano," and "Te Deum." His distinctive style incorporates syncopation, extended chords, and chromatic harmony. Notable compositions include the award-winning "Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika" and the modern zarzuela "Alikabok." He has produced several recordings and continues to be a highly sought-after professor, musical director, composer, arranger, and conductor in the Philippine music scene.
The colonization by Spain and America inevitably introduced Western compositional techniques into Filipino music. However, 20th-century Filipino composers skillfully integrated these techniques with traditional elements, forming the robust foundation of contemporary Philippine music. Their works reflect a unique cultural identity, inspiring future generations with their rich heritage.