Felipe Padilla de León
Felipe Padilla de León (May 1, 1912 – December 5, 1992) was a Filipino classical music composer, conductor, and scholar. He was known for composing different sonatas, marches and concertos that reflect the Filipino identity.[3]
Felipe Padilla de León | |
|---|---|
 Felipe Padilla de Leon on a 2012 stamp of the Philippines | |
| Born | Felipe de León y Padilla 1 May 1912[1] |
| Died | 5 December 1992 (aged 80)[1] Manila, Philippines |
| Occupation(s) | Composer and conductor of classical music |
| Awards |  Order of National Artists of the Philippines |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument(s) |
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De Leon was also recognized as a composer who experienced different regime change throughout the course of his lifetime.[4] From the Commonwealth period up to the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos,[4] his music became a representation of Filipino ideals and aspirations throughout the ages of Philippine history.[3]
Early life and career
De Leon was the third of four children by the second marriage of his mother Natalia Padilla to Juan de Leon. His father died when he was three years old, leaving his mother to raise him and his elder half-brother, Pedro P. San Diego. Before becoming a musician, he took various odd jobs to support his family, such as a shoe polisher, carabao herder, carriage driver, and vendor of various items. In 1927, he took up Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines, but he had to abandon his studies to make a living. He played the trombone in cabarets and circuses, and later worked as an assistant conductor of the Nueva Ecija High School Orchestra, where he started composing music. To improve his composing skills he again enrolled to the University of the Philippines, and graduated in 1939 with a diploma of music teacher and conductor. Much later, he continued his studies under Vittorio Giannini at the Juilliard School in New York, U.S.[2]
De Leon married pianist Iluminada Mendoza with whom he had six children, including Bayani, a prominent composer, and Felipe Jr., a writer.[2]
Promotion of Filipino Nationalism
Commonwealth Period
During the 1930s, there was a massive cultural movement of "Filipinism" among several Filipino artists. The reason for the movement was to promote nationalism to Filipinos and as a response to the cultural integration imposed by the United States.[5]
Even though American stewardship was a lopsided deal, particularly the political and economic components at recognizing Philippine independence, the reactions were quite extensive in the cultural aspect. The need to define what is “Filipino” bloomed and inspired a call for action from the artists.
— Renato B. Lucas
Raul Navarro, a professor at the UP College of Music, also pointed out that music education (both primary and secondary) became a means of cultural homogenization and Americanization of Filipinos during those period.[5]
Being affected by the said movement, De Leon, along with his fellow composer Lucio San Pedro, continued the nationalist tradition of Antonio Molina, Francisco Santiago, and Nicanor Abelardo by using the material from Filipino folk songs as the basis of their own created compositions. De Leon also wrote articles and publications highlighting the importance of music as an expression of nationalism.[5]
Music is an important intellectual and sociological force and there is no other force which can socialize, energize and guide the emotions of masses from childhood to maturity than good music
— Felipe Padilla de Leon, The Philippine Collegian (September 1938)
Japanese Occupation
During the outbreak of World War II, De Leon was forced to compose national music for the invading Japanese.[4] His song, "Payapang Daigdig" was also composed during this time period right after the destruction of Manila.[6]
After independence, De Leon soon composed the symphonic poems, "The Cry of Balintawak" and "Bataan" to commemorate the Filipinos who suffered under the Japanese occupation.[7]
Awards and honors
- Republic Cultural Heritage Award
- Rizal Pro-Patria Award
- Presidential Award of Merit
- Patnubay ng Kalinangan Award
- Composer of the Year (1949)
- Musician of the Year (Manila, 1958)
- National Artist of the Philippines (1997)[1][2]
Selected works[1][8]
Operas
- Noli me Tangere (Touch me Not), opera in 3 acts (1957)
- El Filibusterismo (Subversion), opera (1970)
Concertos
- Konzertstück for Violin and Orchestra (c. 1950s)
- Flute Concerto (1980)
Orchestral works
- Mariang Makiling Overture (1939)
- Roca Encantada, symphonic legend (1950)
- Maynila Overture (1976)
- Tatlong Tunog Larawan (Three Sound Portraits), for orchestra (1976)
- Orchesterstück (1981)
- Manila Sketches for Orchestra (1949)
- Bataan, tone poem (1947)
- Cry of Balintawak, tone poem (1948)
- Mga Katutubong Tanawin
Marches and other works for band
- Bagong Pagsilang (New Birth)
- Tayo’y Magtanim (Let Us Plant)
- Ang Karomata (The Carriage)
- Tindig, Aking Inang Bayan (Rise Up, My Motherland)
- Fantasy for Trombone and Band
- Mayumi Theme and Variations
- Awit ng Maynila (Song of Manila)
- Himno ng Marikina (Marikina Hymn)
- Awit ng Serbisyo Sibil (Civil Service Hymn)
Chamber
- Fantasy for four flutes and percussion
See also
- Diwa de Leon, Felipe's grandson composer
References
- Felipe Padilla de Leon. ncca.gov.ph
- Short Biography of Felipe Padilla de Leon. (November 29, 2013)
- Ganzon, Arch. Carlos Luis (2017). Journey: Contemporary Arts of the Philippines. Phoenix Publishing House. pp. 80–81. ISBN 978-971-06-4330-1.
- Matherne, Neal (June 2014). "Naming the Artist, Composing the Philippines: Listening for the Nation in the National Artist Award" (PDF). University of California Riverside.
- Lucas, Renato (2019). "Zeitgeist through the Eyes of Felipe P. De Leon (1912-1992): Musical Nationalism and the Cultural Environment of the 1930s" (PDF). Unitas Journal.
- Gil, Baby A. "Payapang Daigdig lives on". Philstar.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- "National Artist for Music, Prof. Felipe Padilla De Leon". daigdigpinoy.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- Tiongson, Nicanor (Ed.). (1994). CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art (Vol. 6: Philippine music). Manila: Cultural Center of the Philippines.