CONTEMPORARY

PHILIPPINE MUSIC
• “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
• Spain and then America having colonized the
Philippines from the early 1500s to the late 1800s,it
was unavoidable that Western compositional
techniques found their way into the works of
Filipino composers Yet, even 20th century Filipino
composers have managed to retain some traditional
elements in their assimilation of Western
techniques. In fact, they have become the strongest
foundations of what we now know as Philippine
music.
 FRANCISCO B. BUENCAMINO SR.(1883-
1952)
• Francisco Beltran Buencamino Sr. was born on
November 5, 1883 in Bulacan. He was the son
of a musically inclined couple.
• He studied music composition and harmony at
Liceo de Manila.
• He taugh at the Ateneo de Manila, and at
Centro Escolar de Señoritas whose
Conservatory of Music he founded.
FRANCISCO B. BUENCAMINO SR.(1883-
1952)
• 1930- He created the Buencamino Music
Academy
• Expanding his career, he ventured into
musical directing and scoring, and
composing film music for Sampaguita
Pictures, LVN, and Excelsior
 EXAMPLE OF HIS COMPOSITION

• Harana
• Pandanggo ni Neneng
• Collar de Sampaguita
• Dulces las horas
• Ang bukang Liwayway
 FRANCISCO SANTIAGO (1889-1947)
KNOWN AS THE “FATHER OF THE KUNDIMAN”
 FRANCISCO SANTIAGO (1889-1947)
KNOWN AS THE “FATHER OF THE KUNDIMAN”

• 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.
 HIS FAMOUS WORKS ARE:

• Pakiusap
• Madaling araw
• Sakali Man
• Hibik ng Pilipinas
• Ano kaya ang Kapalaran
• And Kundiman (Anak Dalita)
• He was also a musical director for films.
Among the films whose music he supervised
are kundiman, Leron Leron Sinta, Madaling
Araw, Manileña, and the movie inspired by his
own composition Pakiusap, He became the
first Filipino Director of the UP Conservatory
of Music.
NICANOR ABELARDO (1893-1934)
 NICANOR ABELARDO (1893-1934)

• Nicanor Abelando 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. His compositions contain hazy tones,
dissonance and unusual chordal combinations found in
suck work as Cinderalla 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 include Mutya ng Pasig,
Nasaan Ka Irog, Cavatina for Violoncello, and Magbalik
Ka Hirang.
ANTONIO J. MOLINA (1894-1980)
 ANTONIO J. MOLINA (1894-1980)

• The first National Artist for Music. He 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.
 ANTONIO J. MOLINA (1894-1980)

• The first National Artist for Music. He 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 is best known for his poignantly
romantic serenade for violin and piano
Hating gabi. Subsequent transcriptions of
this piece were written for the cello, flute,
piano, and guitar.
• He received the National Artist for Music
award in 1973. He passed away on
January 29,1980.
HILARION RUBIO V FRANCISCO (1902-
1985)
 HILARION RUBIO V FRANCISCO (1902-
1985)

• 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 first music lessons in music theory and clarinet
were with Fr. Amando Buencamino who taught
himsolfeggio and some musical Teacher , conductor,
and clarinestist, he created substantial works for the
orchestra.
• During the Second World War, Rubio composed and
arranged many works and conducted many military and
civillian brass bands. Afte the war, he was appointed
conductor of the Manila Municipal Symphony Orchestra.
He held various positions, including as Vice President of the
PASAMBAP (Pambansang Samahan ng mga Banda sa
Pilipinas) 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 Nymphs Rondo, Florante
at Laura, (overture) Halik, Danza, Unang Katas, Twopart,
Invention (piano) Ang Konsyerto (ballet) Ang
Magsasaka, Bukang Liwayway, Concertino in C,
(marimba and piano), Filipinas kong Mahal, Hatulan mo
ako, Ginintuang araw, 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 ANTONIO BUENAVENTURA
(1904-1996)
 COLONEL ANTONIO BUENAVENTURA
(1904-1996)

• He was a renowned composer, conductor and

teacher. His father Lucio was the chief
mucisian 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.
• He developed his 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 Buenaventura 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 delagate 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 in the various
military band which ultimately earned him him military
rank of Colonel. He was a music instructor and band
conductor of the Philippines Military Academy (PMA) .
Later, He restored the Philippines Constabulary Band in
1945. Which was reputedly likened to a symphony
orchestra. It was considered as “one of the best military
bands in the worlds.” It would later be renamed the
Philippines Army Band. He also founded the San Pablo
Music Academy in Laguna.
• He composed Minuet, Mindanao Sketches,
Divertimento for Piano and Orchestra,
Variations and Fugue, and Greetings based on
Philippines fold music. Pandanggo sa ilaw.
One of his most popular compositions, remain
a favourite performance repertoire of many
folk dance companies. He was declared
National Artist for Music in 1988 and passed
away in 1996.