ACTIVITY

IN
MUSIC
CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE MUSIC
20th CENTURY TRADITIONAL COMPOSERS

Mendez,Angelika D. Ms. Omilla

10 -APO Jan 10,2020
 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. 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, Pandanggo ni Neneng, Collar de
Sampaguita, Dulces las Horas, Mayon (Fantasia de Concierto), My Soul’s Lament,
Larawan, Mazurka, Boholana, Mi Bandera, Princesa ng Kumintang, Maligayang Bati,
Ang Bukang Liwayway, Pandanggo ni Neneng, Ang Bagong Balitaw, Himig ng Nayon,
Damdamin (Romance), and Pizzicato Caprice.

FRANCISCO SANTIAGO
(1889 – 1947)
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 are Pakiusap, Madaling Araw, Sakali Man, Hibik ng
Pilipinas, Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran, and Kundiman (Anak Dalita). 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, 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 S. ABELARDO (1893 –
1934)
Nicanor Sta. Ana 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 V

ANTONIO J. MOLINA (1894

– 1980)
Antonio J. 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).

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 sa Iyong Gunita, Pandangguhan; and vocal music - Amihan, Awit ni
Maria Clara, and Larawan Nitong Pilipinas. 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 .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 theConservatory of Music,
University of the Philippines .

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, 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.

COL.ANTONINO BUENAVENTURA
(1904 – 1996)
Col. 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 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 became the music director of the Conservatory
of Music, University of Santo Tomas (UST) in 1961. He
promoted Philippine music through his extensive use of
folk materials. 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.Pandanggo sa Ilaw, 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)
Dr. Rodolfo Soldevilla Cornejo 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.
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 Inc.
Cornejo was the soloist of the Manila Symphony Orchestra,
Filipinas Youth Symphony Orchestra, and UP Symphony Orchestra. 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, Ibong Adarna, Kandingan, Malakas
at Maganda, Overture, Okaka, Oriental Fantasy, Ibong Adarna, 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)
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).
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, Aking Inang Bayan, and another march Bagong Lipunan during the
martial law. He wrote the popular Christmas carolsPayapang Daigdig (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)
Lucio San Pedro was born on February11, 1913 in
Angono, 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 the University of the Philippines and the Juilliard
Schoolin New York, USA. Upon, 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 Lahing Kayumanggi(1962).

ROSENDO E. SANTOS JR. (1922 –

1994)
Rosendo Ejercito Santos Jr. . 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.
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 composed the background music for J.
Arthur Rank Films at Pinewood Studios in London.
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
 ALFREDO BUENAVENTURA
(born 1929 )
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 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.
Some of his major works include the operas Maria
Makiling (1961), Diego Silang (1966), Prinsesa
Urduha(1969),cantatas Ang Ating Watawat(1965), Pasko ng Barangay (1964), three piano
concertos subtitled Celebration, Determination, and Exultation, and symphonies such as
Dakilang Lahi (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.

CIPRIANO “RYAN” CAYABYAB

(born 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 Ating Musika (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.
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.