Nicanor Santa Ana Abelardo (February 7, 1893 – March 21, 1934) was a Filipino composer known for his kundiman songs.
Biography
Early life
Nicanor Abelardo was born in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan to Valentin Abelardo and Placida Santa Ana, on February 7, 1893 His mother belonged to a family of artists in Guagua, the Henson. He was introduced to music when he was five years old when his father taught him solfeggio, the bandurria, and the guitar at 6. His quick mastery of the instruments made him a local prodigy. He could play his father's arrangement of Rossini's "William Tell Overture" on the guitar at age 6. He also learned the violin and other string instruments given to him by his father, and learned how to play quickly without much difficulty. In 1901, he wrote his first composition, "Ang Unang Buko", and dedicated it to his grandmother.
In 1902, Nicanor's uncle, the painter Juan Abelardo, took him to Manila to attend several schools. During this time Nicanor became the favorite among the haranistas who admired his skill at such a young age. This was also the time when he learned how to play the piano. He saw a piano for the first time at a factory of one of his uncle's clients, and immediately taught himself how to play it. By the time his uncle's job was finished, he could already play an air on the piano. The household was even more surprised when he started accompanying his cousin's singing on the piano. This led his uncle to enroll him into private voice lessons under Enrico Capozzi, who was so impressed by Nicanor's abilities that he refused to accept any fee whatsoever. The same thing also happened when he started formally studying Bandurria under Jose Silos. By this time he was 13 years old, the famed pianist Francisco Buencamino took note of his skill in playing the piano, and helped him take a job at a saloon as a pianist.
However, in 1907, he returned to his hometown and finished his 6th grade there after which he was teaching music in various barrio schools around town. but after a year he went back to Manila permanently.
Time in Manila In 1908 he returned to Manila and took employment in various small theaters and cinemas. He soon climbed up to the bigger and better-class theaters in the city. He eventually became the leader of Cine Majestic Orchestra, an orchestra from a famous cinema. During this time he met Sixta Naguiat at a cinema, who would become his wife in later years.
Career In 1916, Abelardo entered the newly-established University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music, taking courses under Guy F. Harrison and Robert Schofield. During his studies, he composed the melody of the university's official anthem, U.P. Naming Mahal in 1917. The Conservatory instantly noticed his musical ability and by 1918, he was appointed assistant instructor in solfeggio and harmony. He took lessons in piano under Jose Estella, violin under Bonifacio Abdon, and voice under Victorino Carrion. He continued conducting cinema orchestras and playing the piano at saloons and cabarets during this time, and this is also the time when he began to drink alcohol. in 1921 he finally received his degree in science and composition, and thereafter took a post-graduate course which he finished the next year. In 1924 he became head of the composition department of the conservatory, and at night taught private music lessons to some prominent families.
He wrote most of his important works while teaching at the conservatory. His graduation piece, a Piano Sonata in G Major, was the first Sonata made by a Filipino composer and his post-graduate piece, the Piano Concerto in B-flat minor, was the first concerto made by a Filipino composer. Almost all of his kundiman was written during his time as well.
He asked a leave of one year because "There is a greater demand in my activities which demand my whole personal attention." He resigned his post in 1930 only to be reinstated in the same year. In 1931 he received a grant to pursue advanced musical studies abroad. He accepted the offer despite his little savings, seeing his bright prospects in the future.
Alcoholism Abelardo began to drink in the early 1920s, and from that time onward, he did not pass a day without drinking alcohol. In later years, his alcoholism became uncontrollable which affected his life. In one instance in 1923 he directed the Jazz Band at the Manila Hotel with himself at the piano, or he picked such instruments as he pleased. This greatly amused the people, but he did not stay long because he had lost control of his drinking, and became hospitalized for a month because of it. Another instance occurred while he was rehearsing the Santa Ana Cabaret Orchestra; the manager found him in a corner drunk with a bottle of booze at one hand, which led him to be dismissed from the job. However the manager reinstated him, as no one could lead the orchestra as well as him.
Studies in Chicago In May 1931 he left Manila for Chicago and enrolled at the Chicago Musical College under Wesley LaViolette. During this time he was influenced by the musical innovations of the Second Viennese School, Hindemith, and other post-romantic composers of Europe. In barely a month he fully absorbed the new musical style he was exposed to, as evident in his Violin Sonata which he had written in 3 weeks after he started studying there. His music became popular in the college and with his Cinderella Overture, he was granted the LaViolette Scholarship award. He received his master's in 1932 and returned to the Philippines.The Tribune. 1932. Musician Wins Another Degree, August 16, 1932. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tribune/200227657/.
Later years He resumed his teaching at the Conservatory after returning to Manila. While he was in Chicago, his family ran a boarding house near the conservatory to support him. He eventually ran the boarding house himself when he returned. The boarding house was nicknamed "The Little Conservatory" because he would teach the students there at night, among them the composers Lucino Sacramento and the future National Artist Antonino Buenaventura. His final large complete work, Requiem, was written in 1934 in memory of the composer Marcelo Adonay.
Death On March 19, 1934, he went to the Philippine General Hospital for a surgical operation.Page 19 of The Cable Tow Vol. XI. No. 11 under the Personals section https://grandlodge.ph/sites/default/files/cabletow/Cabletow1934-11.pdf He died on March 21, 1934, because of heart failure due to alcoholic causes. He was buried at the La Loma Cemetery on March 25, 1934 with a Rose Croix Ceremonial. Page 14 of The Cable Tow Vol. XI No. 12 https://grandlodge.ph/sites/default/files/cabletow/Cabletow1934-12.pdf He left behind various sketches of unfinished music, among them a symphony and an opera.
Legacy Abelardo, along with Francisco Santiago, is known for redefining the kundiman, bringing the form to art-song status. Abelardo's kundiman songs, such as "Mutya ng Pasig", "Nasaan ka, Irog?", and "Bituing Marikit" proved to be popular among the Filipino people, and his compositions are regularly played in concerts in the Philippines.
His cousin Richard Abelardo made a film in 1950 called "Mutya ng Pasig" which is based on Abelardo's kundiman of the same name.
The main theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the building housing the College of Music in UP Diliman (Abelardo Hall) were named in his honor and memory.
List of works In E. Arsenio Manuel's Biography of Abelardo (1955), Manuel lists 149 works. Some works not included in Manuel's 1955 list is included here. His famous or important works are highlighted below. + Compositions of Nicanor AbelardoAbelardo, Nicanor. (2015). In V. Almario (Ed.), Sagisag Kultura (Vol 1). Manila: National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Retrieved from https://philippineculturaleducation.com.ph/abelardo-nicanor/DateTitleGenreOpusNotesStatus 1901Ang Unang BukoWaltz, Bandurria soloDedicated to his Grandmother Macaria LibunaoLost1905Filipino BoyTwo-step1909Baanag at LakasBand, MarchDedicated to the Confederacion BulakeñaPublished1911LucilaSarswelaIn 3 parts. libretto by Florentino Ballecer. 1913AkibatSarswelaIn 1 Act. libretto by Florentino Ballecer. Libretto only1915 July 2Sa BubunganPlayIn 1 act. unknown librettist1915Dalawang Pag-asaPlayIn 1 act. libretto by Florentino Ballecer1916/1917AmorosaVocal, FoxtrotSpanish Lyrics by Jesus BalmoriPublished1917U.P. BelovedVocalWinner of the University Hymn competition. English Lyrics by Teogenes VelezPublished1918 April 28Kapabayaan/Bunga ng Masamang HiligSarswelaIn 1 act. Tagalog Text by Felix Auxilio Roxas1918 April 28KawanggawaSarswelaIn 1 act. Tagalog Text by Felix Auxilio Roxas1920Kung Hindi ManVocal, KundimanTagalog Lyrics by the composer, English Translation by Atilano MontesaPublished1921Academic OverturePiano, OrchestralOriginally for 2 pianos, later arranged by Antonino Buenaventura for orchestra.Ms.1921An Old Love SongVocalAdopted from Dowland's Songbook1921String Quartet in F MajorChamber1, no. 1for String Quartet. In 4 movements: Allegro, Andante, alla Minueto, Rondo: Allegro Moderato. Lost1921Sonata in G MajorPiano, Sonata3, no. 1?In 3 movements: Allegro, Adagio, Presto. The first Piano Sonata made by a Filipino composer. It was submitted as a graduation piece. The work was lost.Lost1921Sonata in C MajorPiano, Sonata3, no. 2In 3 movements: Allegro con moto, Adagio, Rondo: Allegro con moto quasi vivace. It was submitted as a graduation piece.Original Manuscript stored at Milne Special Collections, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham NHRediscovered1921SonataPiano, Sonata3, no. 3?In 4 movements: Allegro, Andante alla Minueto, Rondo, Allegro Moderato. Lost1921LongingVocal, ChamberQuartet for three voices1921Fughetta in C on a Theme by MozartChamberfor String QuartetMs.1921Mountain SuiteOrchestralIn 4 movements: Ang Liwayway (Dawn), Sayaw ng mga Diwata (Dance of the Nymphs), Ang Matanda sa Punso (The Old Man of the Anthill), Ang Sayaw ng mga Ita (Negrito Dance) The material for this suite was reworked from his sarswela Akibat. Originally called Mountain Scenes.1921Ave MariaVocal, Chamber, SacredPublished1921NocturnePiano soloFrom Three Pieces for the PianoforteLost1921Valse CapricePiano soloFrom Three Pieces for the PianoforteLost1921Fantasie-ImpromptuPiano soloFrom Three Pieces for the PianoforteMs. copy1921The VioletVocala trio for 3 sopranos1921U.P. Spells "Up"Vocalfrom The First University Song Collection of the University of the Philippines. English text by Guy Potter Benton.Published1921Alma Mater U.P.Vocalfrom The First University Song Collection of the University of the Philippines. English text by Gerardo Monden.Published1921Conservatory Commencement HymnChoral, Hymnfrom The First University Song Collection of the University of the Philippines. English text by Robert Schofield.Published1921Coronation MarchOrchestral, Marchwritten for the Carnival Queen Carmencita Prieto1921First NocturnePiano soloPublished1921CavatinaChamber7for Violin and Piano. Published 1927 by Theodore Presser Co.Published1921RomanzaChamber8for Cello and Piano; dedicated to Antonio Molina. Published 1928 by Oliver Ditson CompanyPublished1921Valse CapricePiano solodedicated to Pedro EloriagaLost1922SerenadeChamberfor Cello and Piano1922Ang Aking BayanVocalTagalog Lyrics by the composerPublished1922ParalumanVocal, WaltzTagalog Lyrics by Mariano VelayoPublished1922Valse in D-flatPiano Solo11Lost1922An Offertory to St. CeciliaVocal, Sacred1922A Historical PageantBand, Incidental MusicConsists of an Overture and 12 other movements: