Friday, February 5, 2010

Philippine Classical Music (4 of 6)

It gave regular Sunday concerts at the Luneta par. The PC Band was further recognized in 1945 by col. Antonino Buenaventura and became a convertible symphonic band, continuing to date with involvement in varied civic and cultural activities. Provincial bands have become the purveyor of classical music throughout the country, and an integral part of town fiestas as well as a laboratory for young Filipino composers today.

A foretunner of the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO), the Constabulary Civic Orchestra was founded in 1926 by Alexander Lippay with the PC Band and faculty and students of the UP Conservatory of Music as members. The formal organization of MSO took place in 1932 through the efforts of Trinidad F. Legarda to bring music of the masters to the masses.

An outgrowth of the MSO is the Manila Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Sergio Z. Esmilla, which holds its concert season at PCIBank in Makati. The first Filipino artists to win international recognition abroad was soprano Jovita Fuentes, Isang Tapales, Merceds Matias, bass Jose Mossessgeld Santiago-Font, and violinists Ramon Tapales, Ernesto Vallejo and Luis Balencia.

Japanese Occupation Period (1942-1945)

The Japanese discouraged jazz and the music of the western allies, and favored the creation and performance of native musical forms. Prizes were awarded to compositions utilizing native themes. Filipino composers and conductors were invited to give concerts. The impresario; Alfredo Lozano organized the New Philippine Symphony Orchestra composed of Filipino musicians.

One of the few music schools that were open during the war was the Philippine Conservatory of Music affiliated with the Philippine Women’s University, founded by vocal pedagogue Felicing Tirona, with select faculty from the UP Conservatory of Music in its roster.

The works of Japanese composers like Kozyak Yamada were performed in special concerts. However, Japanese music left no imprint on the style and content of Philippine music.

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