Kundiman is a genre of traditional

Filipino Filipino may refer to: * Something from or related to the Philippines ** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one of the official languages of the Philippines. ** Filipinos, people who are citizens of th ...

love song A love song is a song about romantic love, falling in love, heartbreak after a breakup, and the feelings that these experiences bring. A comprehensive list of even the best known performers and composers of love songs would be a large order. ...

s. The

lyrics Lyrics are words that make up a song, usually consisting of verses and choruses. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist. The words to an extended musical composition such as an opera are, however, usually known as a "libretto" and their writer, a ...

of the kundiman are written in Tagalog. The

melody A melody (from Greek language, Greek μελῳδία, ''melōidía'', "singing, chanting"), also tune, voice or line, is a Linearity#Music, linear succession of musical tones that the listener perceives as a single entity. In its most liter ...

is characterized by a smooth, flowing and gentle rhythm with dramatic intervals. Kundiman was the traditional means of serenade in the Philippines. The kundiman emerged as an

art song An art song is a Western vocal music composition, usually written for one voice with piano accompaniment, and usually in the classical art music tradition. By extension, the term "art song" is used to refer to the collective genre of such songs ...

at the end of the 19th century and by the early 20th century, its musical structure was formalised by Filipino composers such as

Francisco Santiago Francisco Santiago Santiago (January 29, 1889 – September 28, 1947) was a Filipino musician, sometimes called ''The Father of Kundiman Art Song''. Life Santiago was born in Santa Maria, Bulacan, Philippines, to musically minded peasant p ...

and

Nicanor Abelardo Nicanor Santa Ana Abelardo (February 7, 1893 – March 21, 1934) was a Filipino composer known for kundiman songs he wrote before the Second World War. Biography Early life Nicanor Abelardo was born in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan to Vale ...

; they sought poetry for their lyrics, blending verse and music in equal parts.

Structure

The formalized art song structure of the kundiman is characterized by moderate 3/4 time, with the piece beginning in a minor key and ending in the parallel major.

Origins and history

Dr.

(1889–1947), the "Father of the Kundiman Art Song", briefly explains in his scholarly work ''The Development of Music in the Philippines'' that the reason this Tagalog song is called kundiman is because the first stanza of this song begins thus: ::"Cundiman, cundiman ::Cundiman si jele" ::"Hele ng Cundiman ::Hele ng Cundangan" In 1872, the illustrious Franciscan Tagalist and poet, Joaquín de Coria wrote ''Nueva Gramática Tagalog Teorica-Práctica'' which, besides treating grammar, also enumerates the characteristics of

Tagalog language Tagalog (, ; ; '' Baybayin'': ) is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by the ethnic Tagalog people, who make up a quarter of the population of the Philippines, and as a second language by the majority. Its standardized form, ...

, and discusses Tagalog poetry. In this book, Coria also listed the names of the most important songs of the

Tagalogs The Tagalog people ( tl, Mga Tagalog; Baybayin: ᜋᜅ ᜆᜄᜎᜓᜄ᜔) are the largest ethnolinguistic group in the Philippines, numbering at around 30 million. An Austronesian people, the Tagalog have a well developed society due to their ...

. They are: * ''Diona'' and ''Talingdao'' (songs in the homes and in ordinary work) * ''Indolanin'' and ''Dolayin'' (songs in the streets) * ''Soliranin'' (boat songs) * ''Haloharin'', ''Oyayi'', and ''Hele-hele'' (

lullabies A lullaby (), or cradle song, is a soothing song or piece of music that is usually played for (or sung to) children (for adults see music and sleep). The purposes of lullabies vary. In some societies they are used to pass down cultural knowledg ...

) * ''Sambotani'' (songs for festivals and social reunions) * ''Tagumpay'' (songs to commemorate victory in war) * ''Hiliraw'' and ''Balicungcung'' (sweet songs) * ''Dopayinin'' (similar to ''Tagumpay''; more serious and sincere) * ''Kumintang'' (love song; also a

pantomimic A mime artist, or simply mime (from Greek , , "imitator, actor"), is a person who uses ''mime'' (also called ''pantomime'' outside of Britain), the acting out of a story through body motions without the use of speech, as a theatrical medium ...

"dance song" - Dr. F. Santiago) * Cundiman (love song; used especially in

serenading In music, a serenade (; also sometimes called a serenata, from the Italian) is a musical composition or performance delivered in honor of someone or something. Serenades are typically calm, light pieces of music. The term comes from the Italian ...

) The Spanish scholar V.M. Avella described the kundiman in his 1874 work ''Manual de la Conversación Familiar Español-Tagalog'' as the "''canción indígena''" (native song) of the

and characterized its melody as "something pathetic but not without some pleasant feeling." In his 1883 book ''Cuentos Filipinos'', Don José Montero y Vidal recorded in Spanish the sad lyrics of what he describes as a popular kundiman of the

: ::Cundiman, cundiman ::Cundiman si jele ::Mas que esta dormido ::Ta sona con ele. ::Desde que vos cara ::Yo ta mira ::Aquel morisqueta ::No puede traga. ::Cundiman, cundiman ::Cundiman, cundaman ::Mamatay, me muero ::Sacamay mo lamang. The Spanish writer and historian Wenceslao E. Retana recorded in 1888 the lyrics of a popular kundiman in Batangas. The melancholic lyrics in the Tagalog original as recorded in Retana's book ''El Indio Batangueño'' reads: ::Aco man ay imbi, hamac isang ducha ::Nasinta sa iyo, naghahasic nga ::Di ba guin si David ng una ay aba ::Pastor ay nag harin ng datnan ng awa? ::Estrebillo: ::Hele ng Cundiman ::Hele ng Cundangan ::Mundo palibhasai, talinghaga lamang ::Ang mababa ngayon bucas ay marangal. ::Sa lahat ng hirap sintang dala-dala ::Salang cumilos isip coi icao na ::Acoi mananaog na hahanapin quita ::Estrebillo: ::Hele ng Cundiman ::Hele ng Cundangan ::Cundangan nga icao ang may casalanan ::Tataghoy-taghoy ni 'di mo pa paquingan. In 1916, Dr. Juan V. Pagaspas, a doctor of philosophy from Indiana University and a much beloved educator in Tanauan, Batangas described the kundiman as "a pure Tagalog song which is usually very sentimental, so sentimental that if one should listen to it carefully watching the tenor of words and the way the voice is conducted to express the real meaning of the verses, he cannot but be conquered by a feeling of pity even so far as to shed tears." Dr. Francisco Santiago, the "Father of Filipino Musical Nationalism", declared in 1931 that the kundiman "is the love song par excellence of the Filipinos, the plaintive song which goes deepest into their hearts, song which brings them untold emotions." Endowed with such power, the kundiman naturally came to serve as a vehicle for veiled patriotism in times of colonial oppression, in which the undying love for a woman symbolized the love of country and desire for freedom. José Rizal, leader of the Propaganda movement and the Philippine national hero, has consecrated the kundiman in his

social novel The social novel, also known as the social problem (or social protest) novel, is a "work of fiction in which a prevailing social problem, such as gender, race, or class prejudice, is dramatized through its effect on the characters of a novel". Mor ...

''Noli Me Tangere''. Not only this but he himself wrote a kundiman which is not of the elegiac type because its rhythm sounds the threat, the reproach and the revindication of the rights of the race. ::Kundiman ni Rizal ::Tunay ngayong umid yaring diwa at puso ::Ang bayan palibhasa'y api, lupig at sumuko. ::Sa kapabayaan ng nagturong puno ::Paglaya'y nawala, ligaya'y naglaho! ::Datapuwa't muling sisikat ang maligayang araw ::Pilit na maliligtas ang inaping bayan ::Magbabalik man din at laging sisikat ::Ang ngalang Tagalog sa sandaigdigan! ::Ibubuhos namin ang dugo'y ibabaha ::Ng matubos lamang ang sa Amang Lupa! ::Hanggang 'di sumapit ang panahong tadhana ::Sinta ay tatahimik, tutuloy ang nasa! ::Sinta ay tatahimik at tutuloy ang nasa! ::O Bayan kong mahal ::Sintang Filipinas! In 1941, National Artist for Music, Antonio J. Molina introduced Jocelynang Baliwag as the Kundiman of the Revolution. The melody of "Jocelynang Baliwag" is undeniably older than the title and the lyrics. The music sheet introduced by Molina describes the melody of "Jocelynang Baliwag" as “musica del legítimo kundiman procedente del Campo insurrecto" ('authentic kundiman music in the revolutionary camps'). In 1905, Isabelo Florentino de los Reyes wrote the kundiman and other written pieces including "Ang Singsing ng Dalagang Marmol" dedicated to Josefa 'Pepita' Tiongson y Lara from Baliwag, Bulacan whom he courted. "Jocelynang Baliuag" is actually composed of four musical pieces - "Liwayway", "El Anillo de Dalaga de Marmol", "Pepita" and Jocelynang Baliuag". ::Jocelynang Baliwag ::P- Pinopoong sinta, niring calolowa ::Nacacawangis mo'y mabangong sampaga ::Dalisay sa linis, dakila sa ganda ::Matimyas na bucal ng madlang ligaya. ::E- Edeng maligayang kinaloclocan ::Ng galak at tuwang catamis-tamisan ::Hada cang maningning na ang matunghaya'y ::Masamyong bulaclac agad sumisical. ::P- Pinananaligan niring aking dibdib ::Na sa paglalayag sa dagat ng sakit ::'Di mo babayaang malunod sa hapis ::Sa pagcabagabag co'y icaw ang sasagip. ::I- Icaw na nga ang lunas sa aking dalita ::Tanging magliligtas sa niluha-luha ::Bunying binibining sinucuang cusa ::Niring catawohang nangayupapa. ::T- Tanggapin ang aking wagas na pag-ibig ::Marubdob na ningas na taglay sa dibdib ::Sa buhay na ito'y walang nilalangit ::Cung hindi ikaw lamang, ilaw niring isip. ::A- At sa cawacasa'y ang kapamanhikan ::Tumbasan mo yaring pagsintang dalisay ::Alalahanin mong cung 'di cahabagan ::Iyong lalasunin ang aba cong buhay. The Filipino composer, conductor and scholar Felipe M. de León Jr., wrote that the kundiman is a "unique musical form expressing intense longing, caring, devotion and oneness with a beloved. Or with a child, spiritual figure, motherland, ideal or cause. According to its text, a kundiman can be romantic, patriotic, religious, mournful. Or a consolation, a lullaby. Or a protest and other types. But of whatever type, its music is soulful and lofty, conveying deep feelings of devotional love."F.M. de León Jr., "But ''What Really Is The Kundiman''?"

Notable kundiman singers

Ruben Tagalog Ruben Tagalog (October 18, 1922 – March 5, 1985) was a Filipino actor and musician, famous for his works in the Kundiman style. He was also one of the founders of the singing group Mabuhay Singers. He is known as the ''Father of Kundiman''. H ...

(1922-1985) (dubbed as the "King of Kundiman") * Ric Manrique Jr. (1941-2017) * Larry Miranda * Danilo Santos * Cenon Lagman * Armando Ramos *

Rudy Concepcion Rudy or Rudi is a masculine given name, sometimes short for Rudolf, Rudolph, Rawad, Rudra, Ruairidh, or variations thereof, a nickname and a surname which may refer to: People Given name or nickname *Rudolf Rudy Andeweg (born 1952), Dutch poli ...

(1915-1940) *

Sylvia La Torre Sylvia Reyes La Torre-Perez de Tagle (June 4, 1933 – December 1, 2022), was a Filipino singer, actress, and radio star. Early life La Torre was born on June 4, 1933 to actress Leonora Reyes and director Olive La Torre. Career Singing La Tor ...

(1933-2022) (dubbed as the "Queen of Kundiman") * Conching Rosal * Dely Magpayo (1920-2008) * Cely Bautista (1939-2018) *

Carmen Camacho Carmen Toledo, better known as Carmen Camacho (born 23 November 1939, in Catanduanes, Luzon, Philippines), is one of the Philippine Kundiman Divas of the 1960s along with Norma Ledesma, Norma Balagtas, Pilita Corrales, and others. Camacho was a me ...

(b. 1939) * Rosario Moreno *

Mabuhay Singers The Mabuhay Singers were a group of singers from the Philippines that was formed in 1958. Some of the members went on to become soloists like Cely Bautista, Raye Lucero, Naning Alba, and the late Rene Evangelista, among many others. The group ...

Diomedes Maturan Diomedes Maturan (August 16, 1940 – April 7, 2002) (tagged the "Perry Como of the Philippines" and "The Golden Voice") was an actor who played in ''Botika sa Baryo'' (1960) and a grand champion in ''Tawag ng Tanghalan''. Early life Diomedes wa ...

(1941-2002) * Eva Vivar * Rhodora Silva

References

External links

"Tagalog Literature; A Historico-Critical Study"
by Prof. Eufronio Melo Alip, Manila: U. S. T. Press, 1930. pp. 17,65
"Kundiman" by Dr. José Rizal (English version)"The Music and Theater of the Filipino People"
by R.C. Banas, from El Filipino: Revista mensual Vol I No. 9 (1926)
"The Filipino Folk Song"
by Percy Hill from the Philippine magazine, Vol. XXIII, no. 3, Philippine Education Co. Manila, 1926, p. 147
"El Indio Batangueno"
by Wenceslao E. Retana, Manila, Tipo-Litografia de Chofre y Cia, 1888. p. 25
"Cuentos Filipinos"
by Don José Montero y Vidal, Madrid, Tip. del Asilo de Huérfanos del Sagrado Corazon de Jesús, 1883. p. 106

by Karl Scherzer from "Circumnavigation of the Globe by the Austrian Frigate Novara in the Years 1857, 1858 & 1859."
de la conversación Familiar Español-Tagalog
by V.M. de Avella,Manila, C. Miralles, 1874. p. 116
"Classical Philippines Radio"
plays a unique blend of classical guitar, kundiman and harana music. {{Music of the Philippines Philippine styles of music

Structure

Origins and history

Notable kundiman singers

See also

References

External links