One of Nicanor Abelardo's immortal Kundiman Art Song composition is "Nasaan Ka Irog". Its original Tagalog lyrics were written by Narciso Asistio and Jesus Balmori wrote the lyrics in Spanish. Interpreted by the Villar Symphonette under the music direction of Leopoldo Silos. Audio from a vintage 10 inch vinyl phonograph recording ("Kundiman, Love Song of the Philippines, The Villar Symphonette under the direction of Leopoldo Silos", VLP 4007, Villar Records, Mareco Inc. Undated)
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NICANOR ABELARDO
Exponent of the Kundiman
(Feb 7, 1893 -March 21, 1934)
Nicanor Abelardo was born in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan, the eldest of eight children of Valentin Abelardo and Placida Santa Ana. His formal Education was desultorily obtained. He attended the town school in San Miguel and later on attended several schools in Manila, finishing his primary course in 1905 at the Quiapo Primary School. He enrolled at the Conservatory of Music, University of the Philippines when it opened in 1916, receiving his teacher's certificate in Science and Composition in 1921. The following year, he finished a post graduate course.
In 1931, he received a grant from the University of the Philippines which enabled him to go abroad and pursue advanced musical studies at the Chicago Musical College. He returned to his native country in 1932 and was granted the Master's Degree in absentia after fulfilling academic requirements at the National University.
Throughout his life, Abelardo had to work to support himself and his own family. He also supported his younger sisters. He held all types of odd jobs-first as pianist in small and low class theaters, then as orchestra conductor of bigger and better class theaters. During his students days, he held assistantship in solfeggio and harmony and in his junior year in 1919, he was appointed instructor "based solely on merit and recognition of ability." At the same time, he had to supplement his income and worked as a pianist and orchestra director of the Lerma Cabaret. After his graduation he directed a Jazz band at the Manila Hotel.
In 1924, he was appointed head of the Department of Composition at the U.P. Conservatory. For financial reasons he took in pupils outside of teaching hours and became director of the Sta. Ana Cabaret. This strenuous schedule took a heavy toll on his health. Abelardo died on March 21, 1934, leaving six children and a wife, Sixta Naguiat.
E. Arsenio Manuel lists 149 musical compositions by Abelardo. As a composer he was conscious of the wealth of native elements that were waiting for the artists hand to transmute into more subtle expressions. But it was his kundiman text and music that were so perfectly matched the melodies so successfully conveyed his fame, however will not rest solely on his achievement as a composer but also of his great ability as a teacher.
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My apologies for the jumping portion at the finale. The vinyl phonograph is really very old.
philclassic 11 months ago