Objectives:

1.0 Describe and identify the works of

notable Filipino composers
1.1 Gives brief biography of selected
contemporary Philippine composers
2.0 Listen perceptively to excerpts of
major contemporary works
3.0 Manifest respect in listening to our
country’s contemporary works
 FILIPINO
COMPOSERS
Have you already
heard any
traditional music?
LEADING FILIPINO
COMPOSERS
BORN IN 1880-1900
Francisco Buencamino Sr.
• Born in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan
• Studied composition and harmony at the Liceo de
Manila
• Taught at the Ateneo de Manila University
• Put up publishing company and the Buencamino Music
Academy
• His works ranges from small-scale solo piano works and
kundiman to large-scale works for theater and films
• His piano works can be likened to the piano
compositions of Franz Liszt
• Also incorporated Philippine folk melodies to Western
musical tradition
• Famous piano compositions are “Mayon” (Fantasia de
Concerto), “Harana,” “Damdamin,” and “Ang Larawan.”
Dr. Francisco Santiago
• Born in Santa Maria, Bulacan
• His uncle taught him how to play violin, and at the
age of 10, he was brought by his uncle to Manila of
further lessons in music, and learned piano
• Became a member of the Santo Domingo choir, which
he studied organ and basic composition
• Studied taught piano at UP Conservatory of Music
• Studied abroad where he earned his master’s and
doctorate degrees in music
• Nationalistic elements are evident in his compositions
and utilized Filipino folk songs ins most of his works
• Famous instrumental composition: “Souvenir de
Filipinas,” vocal work: “Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran?”
Nicanor Abelardo
• Born in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan
• At age 5, his father taught him banduria
• At age 8, wrote his first composition “Unang
Buko”
• His uncle brought him to Manila for his primary
education, and learned piano while observing
his cousins taking piano lessons
• Studied at UP Conservatory of Music, and went
abroad for further studies
• One of the composers who elevated the
kundiman into an art song
• Famous vocal works “Nasaan Ka Irog,” “Mutya
ng Pasig”
Antonio Molina
• Born in Quiapo, Manila
• Son of Juan Molina, known government
official and founder of Molina Orchestra
• Known as the finest composers in the
Philippines
• Often compared to Claude Debussy
because of his excellent application of
impressionism in music
• He was credited with over 500 musical
compositions
• Most popular composition is “Hatinggabi”