A Conductor's Analysis of Balintawak: Misang Pilipino by Bonifacio Abdon (1876-1944)

Abstract

The Philippines is a diverse country, but its people are united because of their sharedhistory, and the central role of music and religion in their lives. Balintawak: Misang Pilipino (1910) by Bonifacio Abdon (1876-1944) is an important work in the history of the Philippines. The use of the Tagalog language, the nationalistic text, the re-interpretation of the traditional mass text, the selection of a respected Filipino composer to set it, the commission by the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, and the incorporation of the national anthem–all of these were revolutionary aspects of the work at the time it was composed. They infuse the mass with a unique spirit and musical character that embodies the identity, pride, and independence of the Filipino people. In studying and performing this mass, scholars, and conductors can benefit through an understanding of the historical and cultural context of the work, the life and work of the composer, the central place of music in the lives of Filipinos, and knowledge regarding Balintawak’s connection to Iglesia Filipina Independiente.