20th CENTURY TRADITIONAL COMPOSERS
Variations for Band, Dance of the Nymphs Rondo,
Francisco Buencamino Sr. (1883 – 1952)
-piano works have become a staple part of the Philippine
repertoire of today’s young students, especially Mayon,
Larawan, and Maligayang Bati. He also wrote several
zarzuelas and kundimans.
Ang Larawan Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYOu6Hukvi0
Francisco Santiago (1889 – 1947)
-Father of Kundiman
-famous works are Pilipinas kong Mahal, Pakiusap,
Madaling Araw, Sakali Man, Hibik ng Pilipinas, Ano Kaya
ang Kapalaran, and Kundiman (Anak Dalita).
Nicanor Abelardo (1893 – 1934)
-one of the “Triumvirate of Filipino Composers”
-best-known compositions include Mutya ng Pasig,
Nasaan Ka Irog, Cavatina for Violoncello, and Magbalik Ka
Hirang.
Nasaan ka Irog Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo2yg863owI
Antonio Molina (1894 – 1980)
-National Artist for Music (1973)
-first National Artist for Music, is considered one of the
“Triumvirate of Filipino Composers”
-known for works: Hatinggabi, 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.
Hatinggabi Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRqxKmG9ivU
Hilarion Rubio (1902 – 1985)
- 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.
-Rubio’s compositions include: Bulaklaken, Theme and
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.
Salamisim Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY9HAUkOVQQ
Col. Antonino Buenaventura (1904 – 1996)
-National Artist for Music (1988)
-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.
Antonino BUENAVENTURA Buklod ng Pagmamahalan
Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8KAOfMvMEk
Felipe De Leon Sr. (1912 – 1992)
-National Artist for Music (1997)
-20th century traditional composer, who was named
National Artist for Music posthumously in 1997.
-His sample works are Mariang Makiling Overture and
Roca Encantada. 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 carols Payapang Daigdig
(1946), Noche Buena, and Pasko Na Naman, both in
1965.
Bagong Lipunan Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVgyFKjjmyA
Lucio 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.
Rosendo Santos Jr.

- is listed in the “New Groves Dictionary of Music and

Musicians.” A prolific composer, his works include
concerti, sonatas, symphonies, symphonic poems, five
operas in Philippine dialect, numerous band overtures,
and more than 200 marches. He wrote 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.

Alfredo Buenaventura

- is among the few composers in the Philippines who

composed five full-length operas. He has his own set of
ideas about music and composition. He created a
combination of contemporary and conventional, kept his
melodies simple and understandable, but he used
contemporary harmonies to suit the intellectuals.

Ryan Cayabyab

- Contemporary composer and conductor Ryan Cayabyab

spans both popular and classical worlds with his pop,
ballads, operas, zarzuela, orchestral, and choral
compositions.