Contemporary philippine music

According to national artist “ramon santos, phd,” 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.

20th century traditional composers

Francisco b. buencamino sr.

He founded the centro escolar de senoritas, conservatory of music as well as the buencamino music
academy in 1930. many of his piano works have become staples in the philippine repertoire of today’s
performers, especially mayon, larawan, and maligayang bati. He also ventured into musical direction
and scoring for films as well as composing several zarzuelas and kundiman

Francisco s. santiago, phd

He is knows as the “father of the kundiman” and belongs to the “triumvirate of filipino composers.”
santiago’s music was romantic in style, incorporating wester forms and techniques with fold materials
among his famous works are pakiusap, madaling araw, and kundiman(anak dalita). he became the
first filipino director of the conservatory of music, university of the philippines.

Nicanor s abelardo
Although a 20th century modern composer, was also a composer in the romantic style. His best-known
compositions include mutya ng pasig, nasaan ka irog, cavatina for viloncello, and magbalik ka hirang.
The tanghalang nicanor abelardo (main theater) of the cultural center of the philippines and the
abelardo hall of the UP college of music are named after him

Antonio j. molina
He was a product of both the romantic and impressionist styles, and came to be known as the “father
of philippine impressionist music.” 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
composition malikmata(transfiguration)

Hilarion f. rubio
He was a composer, music teacher, conductor, and clarinetist. His name was closely identified with his
works for the orchestra; as conductor for opera, ballet, and dance recitals; and his music for movies

Col. Antonino buenaventura

He promoted philippine music by extensively using fold materials in his works. He recorded fold and
dance music around the country with ramon tolentino and national artist for dance francisca reyes
aquino. He restored the philippine constabulary band in 1945, which was considered “one of the best
military band in the world.” he is a national artist for music

Lucio D. san pedro

Known as a “romantic nationalist.” he incorporated philippine folk elemnts in his compositions with
western forms and harmony. His chords have a rich expressive tonality, as represented in his well-
loved lullaby sa ugoy ng duyan, his orchestral compositions suite pastorale, a musical description of
his hometown angono, and his nationalistic symphonic poem lahing kayumanggi. He is a national
artist for music

Rosendo e. santos jr.

He was a prolific composer whose work include concerti, sonatas, symphonies, symphonic poems, five
operas in a philippine dialect, numerous band overtures, and over 200 marches. He also wrote 50
masses in latin and 20 in english

Rodolfo s, cornejo
He was the researcher and official composer of the philippine government-in-exile, under president
manuel l. quezon. He served as pianist-director of a uso concert unit that entertained the allied forced
during world war 1. he later became the soloist of several orchestras, and eventually the musical
director of the sampaguita and vera perez movie companies.

Felipe p. de leon sr.

Known as a nationalist composer who expressed the philippines’ cultural identity through his
compositions. He wrote piano compositions, hymns, marches, art songs, chamber music, symphonic
poems, overtures, band music school songs, orchestrals works, operas, kundiman, and zarzuelas. His
two operas, noli me tangere and el filibusterismo, are considered his masterpieces

Alfredo s. buenaventure
Hold the sole distinction among filipino composers of having composed five full-length operas. His
compositions combine contemporary and conventional styles, and contain melodies that are simple
and understandable, while using contemporary harmonies that enhance their complexity

Ryan cayabyab
He is a contemporary composer and conductor who spans both popular and classical worlds with his
pop muic, ballads, operas, zarzuelas, orchestral arrangements, masses, psalms, and chora
compositions. Among these are the award winning kay ganda ng ating musika, the modern zarzuela
alikabok, and the opera spoliarium with libretto by fides cuyugan-asensio. His compositions are
mostly of traditional western influence

What is contemporary music?

-The term “contempoary music” can mean a variety of things to a variety of people.
-It’s genres would include (but would not be limitied to) blues, country, electronic/dance,
experimental, folk, funk, hiphop, jazz, metal, pop, rock, roots, and world..

“contemporary music in the philippines refers to compositions that have adopted ideas and elemnts
from 20th century art music in the west, as well as the latest trends and musical styles in the
entertainment industry.”

What is traditional filipino music

-Reflects the way of life, beliefs and traditions of the rural folks.
-glorifies the beauty of nature and man’s strong connection with his environment.

Contemporary music characteristics

-influenced by other cultures (intercultural or colonization)
-usually in “diatonic” (progressing rough tones) scale

Ethnic music
The traditional and typically anonymous music that is an expression of the life of people in a
community

Gangsa ensemble
-very similar to the old gender and the saron
-same word is used to identify an ensemble of shallow hand-held gongs(one per musician) and to
refer to the individual gons as well in the traditional music of the cordilleran igorot peoples of
northern luzon.
-toppaya style “gangsa toppaya” (flat gongs)- no shirt sitting down and drumming
-pattung style -dancing while drumming

Hispanic music

Rondalla
-an esemble of string instruments with a pick
-originated in spain
-became popular in philippine folk music in the 19th century
-rondalla(“ronda”-serenade)

Sarswela
-combination of melo drama
-the plot of the philippine zarzuela is about filipino life in both positive and negative aspects
-famili -politics -feasts -values -corruption of the government etc..

Filipino music
Balitaw
-song traditionally associated with the visayan region
-debate or dialogue song in which a woman and a man compete to see who is better at improvising
romantic verses

Musikong bumbong
-band that uses improvised instruments made of bamboo
-first bamboo band (1896)

Classifications of musical instruments

-instruments that are blwon (aerophones)
Instruments that are struck (idiophones and membranophones
-instruments that are plucked (chordophones)