Francisco Feliciano's oeuvre stands as a remarkable testament to the exceptional artistic capabilities of the Filipino people. Throughout his career, he consistently embodied the essence of "Asianness" in his musical endeavors, whether as a composer, conductor, or educator. His unwavering commitment significantly contributed to enhancing global awareness of Asian culture, portraying it as a rich source of inspiration and a celebration of our distinct ethnic identity, particularly that of the Philippines.
Feliciano adeptly integrated the unique sounds of indigenous music into his compositions, which required a level of technical proficiency that rivals the works of esteemed masters in the Western tradition. Through his extensive creative pursuits, he elevated Filipino artistry to a realm of profound admiration and respect on the international stage.
To read more about NA Feliciano, please visit: https://ncca.gov.ph/.../national.../francisco-felciano/
Francisco Feliciano
Filipino composer, conductor and teacher Francisco Feliciano was born at Morong on 19 February 1941. He studied at the University of the Philippines, at Berlin's Hochschule der Künste and at Yale University School of Music. His composition teachers included Krzysztof Penderecki and Jacob Druckman.
He was a National Artist of the Philippines for Music, and one of Asia's leading figures of liturgical music. His more than thirty major works include music dramas and operas, and his hundreds of works of liturgical music include hymns, settings of the mass and other songs used for worship. He also supervised the publication of an Asian hymnal consisting mostly of music by Asian composers. He received a John D Rockefeller III Award for Music Composition in 1977.
His conducting career took him to Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan, and included dates with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra.
He was president of the Quezon City-based Samba-Likhaan Foundation: The Asian School of Music, Worship and the Arts.
Francisco Feliciano died on 19 September 2014, aged seventy-three.
