Lesson 3: Song Composers PDF

# Lesson 3: Song Composers ## Levi Celerio (1912 - 2002) Levi Celerio was a Filipino prolific song writer and composer born on April 30, 1912 in Tondo Manila and died on April 2, 2002. He wrote more than 4,000 Filipino songs. These compositions include love songs, Christmas songs, and nationalisti...

# Lesson 3: Song Composers ## Levi Celerio (1912 - 2002) Levi Celerio was a Filipino prolific song writer and composer born on April 30, 1912 in Tondo Manila and died on April 2, 2002. He wrote more than 4,000 Filipino songs. These compositions include love songs, Christmas songs, and nationalistic songs. Some of his works were made into movies in the Philippines. Celerio was also included in the Guinness Book of Records for his skill in playing music using a leaf. Celerio was bestowed the National Artist for Music and Literature in 1997 by the former president Fidel Ramos and was recognized as composer and lyricist who inspired every Filipino. He was also a former member of the Manila Symphony Orchestra. ### Celerio's Works - Ikaw - Kahit Konting Pagtiging - Saan Ka Man Naroon - Ugoy ng Duyan (Lyrics) - Ang Pipit - Itik-Itik - Pitong Gatang - Waray-Waray - Ang Pasko ay Sumapit # Ang Pipit Ang Pipit is a song about a small passerine bird. The song is depicts the sad life of Filipinos who remain captured in their own country. Celerio composed the song with imagery and symbolism. It is one of the classics in the Contemporary Filipino Music scene. Ang Pipit was also made into a one act play reflecting the misfortune life of a Filipino Family. This song is also included in Pelita Corales' Music Album “Remembering Levi Celerio" in 2017. ## Constancio Canseco De Guzman (1903 - 1982) Constacio De Guzman was born on November 11, 1903 in Guiguinto, Bulacan and died on August 16, 1982. While growing up in Manila, he studied piano and composition under Nicanor Abelardo. He started pursuing law but he shifted and finished BS Commerce at the Jose Rizal College in 1928. Because of his deep passion to music, he continued his craft in composing music for films. He was acknowledged as the “Dean of Filipino Movie Composers and Musical Directors.” De Guzman's Panaginip gave way for his opportunity to record many songs under Villar and Columbia Records. ### De Guzman's Works - Ang Bayan Ko - Kung Kita'y Kapiling - Babalik Ka Rin - Ang Tangi Kong Pag-Ibig - Birheng Walang Dambana - Maalaala Mo Kaya - Sa Piling Mo # Ang Tangi Kong Pagibig Ang Tangi Kong Pag-Ibig is a danze composed by Constancio de Guzman set to a film in 1955 diredted by Mar S. Torres. The song was interpreted by Carmen Rosales. Also, Ang Tangi Kong Pag-big was included in Kuh Ledesma's album “Greatest Hits Vol. 2 in 2019. This is written for solo voice with piano accompaniment. However, there are arrangements for choir and solo instruments. ## Miguel "Mike” Guison Velarde, Jr. (1913 - 1986) Miguel Guison Velarde, Jr better known as “Mike” Velarde is a composer, conductor, movie actor, and a musical director. He was born on October 23, 1913 in Manila and died in 1986. Velarde's family moved to Zamboanga spending his childhood and teenage years. There, he was inspired to pursue music by his mother who became his first piano and violin teacher. While studying at the Zamboanga Normal School, he became an active member of the school orchestra. With the help of Antonio Molina and Ariston Avelino, he learned basic harmony and composition. ### Mike Velarde's Works - Luksong Tagumpay - Alaala Kita - Lahat ng Araw - Habang Buhay - Minamahal Kita - Ikaw ay Akin - Dahil Sa Iyo - As Long As Forever - Buhat - Bituing Marikit # Minamahal Kita Minamahal Kita is a balse composed in 1937 by Mike Velarde. This song is very romantic. It can be described as urbane and reflects the "Americanized" Manila in the 1930's. The music can be classified as love and courtship song. It had its original premiere in the 1940's movie, Nina Bonita and first performed by Elsa Oria. ## Restituto "Restie" Umali (1916-) Restie Umali is a Filipino song writer, composer, arranger, conductor, and film music scorer. He was born on June 16, 1916 at Paco Manila. Being exposed to music at a young age with his father, he learned to play the violin. In Mapa High School, he learned solfeggio and score reading. Umali was also an active member of the school glee club and orchestra. In the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Umali played the E-flat horn, trombone and tuba. Umali majored in composition and conducting at the Conservatory of Music, University of the Philippines, now UP College of Music. He also took commerce at the Jose Rizal College. He also finished electrician's course at the Philippine School of Arts and Trades before his career in films started to boom. In World War II, Felipe Padilla de Leon taught Umali harmony lessons. After that, he joined the Manila Symphony Orchestra. He had further studies in composition and conducting while teaching at the UP Conservatory of Music. Umali's music abilities are undeniably superb because he was mentored by his professors such as Lucrecia Kasilag, Antonio Buenaventura and Ramon Tapales. ### Umali's Arrangements and Musical Scores for Films - Arrangement of the Philippine National Anthem for Boston Pops Orchestra for the Philippine Independence Night in Boston 1972 - Kataka-Taka- and the Philippine Independence Night in Boston 1972 - No Man is an Island produced by Universal Pictures - Sa Bawat Pintig ng Puso (1964) - Pinag Buglod ng Langit (1969) - Mga Anghel na Walang Langit (1970) - Ang Alamat (1972) won Best Musical Score (FAMAS Awards) ### Umali's Popular Song Compositions - Saan Ka Man Naroroon - Alaala ng Lumipas - Ang Pangarap Ko’y Ikaw - Sa Libis ng Barrio - Di ka Nag-iisa - Paano Kita Lilimutin # Saan Ka Man Naroroon (Excerpt) Saan Ka Man Naroroon is a contemporary Danza composed by Restie Umali Also, this song was set to a movie in 1993 directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna and TV series in ABS-CBN in 1999 to 2001. Based on the excerpt, the song is in F major. Many musicians made this song in different musical arrangements from choir, band, orchestra. ## Ernani Potel Cuenco (1936-1988) Ernani Cuenco is a Filipino composer, film scorer, musical director and music teacher. He was born on May 10, 1936 in Bulacan and died on July 11, 1988. He bestowed as a National Artist for Music in 1999. His works highly embark Filipino musical flavors. He even used the classical kundiman as inspiration in some of his works. At present, his music remains part of every Filipino's lives. He finished elementary at the Immaculata Academy of Malolos in 1948. After that, Cuenco went to the University of Santo Tomas High School for his secondary studies. He finished his Bachelor of Music Major in Piano at the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music in 1956. He was given a scholarship grant in the same university and year, and studied cello with Professor Modesto Marquiz and graduated in 1965. He completed his master's degree in Music at the Sta. Ifugao College in 1968. He was an active member of the Manila Symphony Orchestra where he played the cello. He also played for the Filipino Youth Symphony Orchestra and Manila Chamber Soloists. In 1960, he began his career as a musical director. Cuenco was also sent to the International Music Conference in Tokyo, Japan to represent the country. ### Ernani Potel Cuenco's Popular Works - Nahan - Diligin Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa - Pilipinas - Inang Bayan - Isang Dalangin - Kalesa - Gaano Kita Kamahal # Nahan Broken hearted lovers may relate to the words of the song Nahan composed by Ernani Cuenco. The words of the song seek for the promised love, embrace and sweet kisses. Cuenco even made the song sounds painful by using chromatics in the melody. The song requires the singer to show intense longing interpretation to highlight the character of the song. ## Performance Task: Take Your Spotlight! **Directions:** Make a video of yourself performing any work among the discussed song composers. You may sing their composed song or make an instrumental cover. After making your video, it is time to evaluate your own performance. Use the given rubrics for your self-evaluation. Send the video in your class group chat. You may also upload it in different platforms so that other people may learn about the song writer and see your performance. # Thank you for listening!