ANTONINO BUENAVENTURA

A. COMPOSER HISTORY

Overview

Among the nationalistic artists of the twentieth century, Colonel Buenaventura stands
as one of those who, before World War II, brought prestige to the Philippines with its
rich source of talent. Moreover, Buenaventura stands among other great Filipino
composers as the one who perhaps wrote the most number of tone-poems and
symphonic band music. His compositional innovations which include the use of folk
music materials and combining it with Western compositional devices or norms are two
essential factors which brought forth a “new” distinctly Filipino sound. At the time when
Western classical music and forms was the center of the Philippines’ musical tradition,
Buenaventura introduced the idea of using Philippine folk music material into a form
which was basically Western. The concept was to retain the folk melodic material as it
was, then use in its accompaniment material Western music concepts on rhythm,
melodic embellishments, chordal progressions and the like. It is this conceptual
framework that consequently served as Buenaventura’s channel in conveying his
nationalistic ideals and sentiments. Hence, significant to the understanding of
Buenaventura’s compositional styles is to know of his influences as a person and a
composer.

Early Years

Antonino Buenaventura was born on May 4, 1904, and named National Artist for Music
in 1988. One of his most famous compositions was “Pandanggo sa Ilaw.” He led the
Philippine Constabulary Band, later the Philippine Army Band, for 16 years. He also
became the director of the Conservatory of Music of the University of Sto. Tomas. In
1964, he organized the School of Music and Arts of the University of the East.
Buenaventura died on Jan. 25 1996.
His musical abilities developed further when he entered the University of the Philippines
(UP) Conservatory of Music at the age of 19. During his stay at UP, he led the
UP ROTC Band and established the UP Junior Orchestra, the first collegiate orchestra in
the country. Esteemed Filipino musicians Nicanor Abelardo and Francisco Santiago were
among his mentors. After graduating from UP in 1932 with a teacher’s diploma, major in
science and composition, he pursued further studies at the Institute of International
Education in New York.
Antonio Buenaventura also known as Colonel Antonio Buenaventura, was born on 4
May 1904 in Baliuag, Bulacan. He inherited his interest in music and military from his
father, Lucino Buenaventura. He was born to a family of musicians and actively involved
in the band.
He had formal music lessons in Solfeggio when he was in grade IV. He learned how the
band instruments sounded through observation and experimentation. He organized a
seven piece school orchestra, a children’s group in his school.
In 1922, he composed two pieces, a march and a foxtrot entitled “Only You”. He was
admitted as clarinetist to the University of the Philippines Symphony Orchestra. He was
a student in composition and conducting and the captain of cadet corps of the university
when he organized the first student orchestra, the UP Junior Orchestra.
After he completed his Teacher’s Diploma in Composition and Conducting in the
University of the Philippines (UP), he was appointed faculty member of the
Conservatory of Music. He was the UP President’s Committee on Folksongs and Dances
when he composed the “Pandanggo sa Ilaw”, a dance accompaniment.

Works

Antonino R. Buenaventura vigorously pursued a musical career that spanned seven

decades of unwavering commitment to advancing the frontiers of Philippine music. In
1935, Buenaventura joined Francisca Reyes-Aquino to conduct research on folksongs
and dances that led to its popularization. Buenaventura composed songs, compositions,
for solo instruments as well as symphonic and orchestral works based on the folksongs
of various Philippine ethnic groups. He was also a conductor and restored the Philippine
Army Band to its former prestige as one of the finest military bands in the world making
it “the only band that can sound like a symphony orchestra”.
This once sickly boy who played the clarinet proficiently has written several marches
such as the “Triumphal March,” “Echoes of the Past,” “History Fantasy,” Second
Symphony in E-flat, “Echoes from the Philippines,” “Ode to Freedom.” His orchestral
music compositions include Concert Overture, Prelude and Fugue in G Minor,
Philippines Triumphant, Mindanao Sketches, Symphony in C Major, among others.

His Notable Marches:

History of Fantasy
Triumphal March
Echoes of the past
Second Symphony in E-flat
Ode to Freedom
Echoes from the Philippines

His Orchestral Music Composition:

Prelude and Fugue in G Minor
Philippine Triumphant
Symphony in C Major
Mindanao Sketches
Concert Overture

Style and Influences

Buenaventura's music was influenced by different ethnic Philippine folksongs. In 1935,

he joined Francisca Reyes-Aquino in researching Philippine folksongs and dances. In
1936 he composed the accompaniment to the folk dance "Pandanggo sa Ilaw" and
incorporated ethnic melodies and instruments to some of his compositions.