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Florante Aguilar
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      • Probinsya (2022)
      • Dadap-Aguilar Duo (2019)
      • The Music of Bae Makiling (2016)
      • The Music of Maség (2014)
      • Introducing the Harana Kings (2012)
      • Manila Galleon Guitar Music (2010)
      • Paraiso (2007)
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      • Buffalo Guitar Quartet (1990)
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      • Aswang Song Cycle (2013/2018)
      • Lalawigan – A Tagalog Song Cycle (2009)
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      • Utom (2019)
      • The Music of Bae Makiling (2016)
      • The Music of She Who Can See (2015)
      • The Music of Maség (2014)
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    Lahat ng Araw (Silayan)

    by floranteaguilar April 5, 2020

     

    Written in 1939, this song is about shining a light and giving hope. Lahat ng Araw, more popularly known as “Silayan” for its opening word, was written by Miguel Velarde, Jr., the same composer of the ever popular Dahil sa Iyo.

    I have such deep respect for composers who can write indelible and beloved melodies. A melody by definition must be simple, uncontrived. The act of stringing together a diatonic series of notes that elicits emotions and trancends time is no easy feat.

    I believe a great melody comes from something undefinable – the closest thing a composer has of being visited by a muse and leaving you a gift. It is magic.

    Schubert, Beethoven, Mozart, Piazzolla, Gershwin, to name a few,  and don’t forget, the The Beatles, were definitely visited many times over.

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  • Utom Videos

    by floranteaguilar April 7, 2019

    Just dropping these videos today! Concert  dates below: June 1, 2019 – San Francisco International Arts Festival at Fort Mason, SF Tickets:  https://bit.ly/2tYxR1A June 9, 2019 Brava Theater, SF Tickets: https://bit.ly/2CcWyMh   

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  • A Sinister Sounding Christmas Song

    by floranteaguilar November 25, 2018

    There is something about this christmas song, Carol of the Bells, that I’ve always found intriguing. It is probably the darkest and most sinister sounding christmas song that I know of. It was pointed out to me by a friend and fellow composer Roman Turovsky (wiki) that it was a Ukrainian melody…

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  • Fun with Arranging – Erik Satie’s Gnossiennes #1

    by floranteaguilar August 23, 2018

    I like goofing around with known classical pieces. I don’t know why I do this but sometimes I hear pieces in my head differently. In my mind, certain pieces work better a certain way based entirely on my personal preference and musical disposition at a given time. Case in point,…

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  • Music Video – Death of Isagani (Pagkamatay ni Isagani)

    by floranteaguilar April 8, 2018

    Excerpt from Aswang the Concert performed and recorded live at the Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center. PAGKAMATAY NI ISAGANI (Death of Isagani) This is the story of Isagani, a fisherman-by-day and spy-by-night during the Philippine revolution. The song finds him being pursued by the Spanish soldiers through the jungles…

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  • How to Write a Song When You’re in a Rut

    by floranteaguilar January 15, 2018

    Florante talks about one of the most reliable technique he uses when writing a song, especially when stuck in a rut. The song is called Ang Tumao, one of the songs for the Aswang Song Cycle. Here’s a link to listen to the full song:

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  • Rosas Pandan

    by floranteaguilar December 25, 2017

    Not exactly a Filipino Xmas song but definitely in the same festive spirit. Rosas Pandan is a Visayan folksong that speaks of a maiden who came down from the mountains to celebrate fiesta. Lots of dancing, singing and courtship ensued. Happy Holidays!

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  • ASWANG the Concert Coming to Napa January 2018

    by floranteaguilar December 13, 2017

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ASWANG  Comes Alive in Napa on January 28, 2018 December 13, 2017 (NAPA, CALIFORNIA) – New Art Media Productions, the makers of the award-winning HARANA documentary, will kick off the New Year with a live concert for their upcoming feature film, ASWANG, Mga Kwentong Halimaw, a dramatized…

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  • Florante Receives 2016 Gerbode Composition Award

    by floranteaguilar February 6, 2017

    On February 1, 2017, the Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation announced that Florante Aguilar along with presenting organization KulArts, are one of the six recipients of $50,000 grants to support the creation and production of new music by California composers. Billed as “today’s most influential composers”, the Gerbode Foundation’s past awardees…

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  • Cavite el Viejo – Poblacion & Marulas

    by floranteaguilar November 16, 2016

    An  ode to my hometown of Kawit, Cavite (formerly known as Cavite el Viejo) the suite consists of 12 movements named after the town’s barrios. The first two movements, Poblacion and Marulas, are barrios I spent a lot of time riding my bike to from our house in Gahak. These were also…

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Florante Aguilar
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Works
    • ALBUMS
      • Probinsya (2022)
      • Dadap-Aguilar Duo (2019)
      • The Music of Bae Makiling (2016)
      • The Music of Maség (2014)
      • Introducing the Harana Kings (2012)
      • Manila Galleon Guitar Music (2010)
      • Paraiso (2007)
      • Tipanan (2006)
      • The Barbary Coast Guitar Duo (2005)
      • The Art of Harana (2003)
      • Buffalo Guitar Quartet (1990)
    • Harana the Movie (2012)
    • THEATER
      • Aswang Song Cycle (2013/2018)
      • Lalawigan – A Tagalog Song Cycle (2009)
    • COMMISSIONED WORKS
      • Utom (2019)
      • The Music of Bae Makiling (2016)
      • The Music of She Who Can See (2015)
      • The Music of Maség (2014)
  • Videos
  • Press Kit
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Shop
    • Official Store
    • Music Sheets
    • Merch
    • My Guitar Gear
    • CDs and DVDs
    • Licensing