Compositions
Nocturnal Birds
Mark Terence Yumang
Nocturnal Birds is inspired from the sound of birds also known as“birdsong”. Birdsong is certain vocalization of birds as they attract a mate or defend their territory. It is also used as their way of communication within a species. Many believed that birdsong has had a large influence on the development of music and inspired other composers and musicians to use birdsong in their music in different ways.
The composer was also inspired by birdsong and intentionally imitates different bird species with the use of trills and flutters. The melodic theme which then varied as the piece progresses, helped build the foundation of this work.
source: Facebook. (n.d.). https://www.facebook.com/100002554473071/videos/779397296896395/
The piece was performerd during my graduation recital by Lester Armenta, flautist of The Manila Symphony Orchestra.
Falling Leaves
Mark Terence Yumang
Falling Leaves is inspired from the point of view of someone watching the way leaves fall. Curious how the fall differ to other. Curiousness that led to expression of what he sees and what he feels. This piece convey the moods of the setting. During fall, we like seeing autumn leaves. Sometimes we like to sit somewhere near and read. It gives us this feeling of relaxation and peace.
source: Facebook. (n.d.). https://www.facebook.com/100002554473071/videos/779397296896395/
The piece was performed by Raphael Espada, violinist of The Manila Symphony Orchestra
Mousehunt
Mark Terence Yumang
Mousehunt is a work that is inspired by true to life events. This composition followed a 12 tone matrix and used all possible sequences such as inversion, retrograde, retrograde inversion etc.. The right hand represents the mouse and the left hand represents the man. The use of an interesting pattern makes the mouse more present.
Facebook. (n.d.). https://www.facebook.com/100002554473071/videos/779397296896395/
The piece was performed by one of CEU's Conservatory of Music Professors, Mr. Benjamin Reyes, Jr.
Crossing the Bar
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Mark Terence Yumang
Crossing the Bar is one of Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s most famous poems. In which the speakers confront the reality of imminent death- and find a kind of peace in the thought of dying. Rather than being scared of death, it presents its mere transition into another kind of life.
The dramatic piano accompaniment adds great color as it gives a feeling of something soothing as if it emphasizes a journey and supports the well-crafted melodic line of the singer.
I picked this poem because death interests me and there’s nothing we could do but accept and have faith.
Facebook. (n.d.). https://www.facebook.com/100002554473071/videos/779397296896395/
The piece was performed by Prof. Benjamin Reyes, Jr. and Ms. Christel Alvarado of Centro Escolar University Singers Manila.
"Hope" is the thing with Feathers
Emily Dickinson, Mark Terence Yumang
Hope is the thing with feathers by Emily Dickinson was written in 1861 and first published in 1891. The text represents hope as a quality that shines even through adversity and that only hope can help us to remain positive during extreme situations. Dickinson described hope as a bird that “pearches in the soul”. This piece depicts the hopefulness of the bird’s song that “never stops” even when life is difficult.
This poem had a huge impact on me during this time of pandemic and writing music to it motivated and gave hope to me to to pursue my everyday life. As the poem says, hope is everlasting, ever shining and unbeatable.
Facebook. (n.d.). https://www.facebook.com/100002554473071/videos/779397296896395/
The piece is performed by Liedertafel. An all male choir under the guidance of world-renowed music director and my professor, Jude B. Roldan.
Kings and Queens
Mark Terence Yumang
The royal greatness of Kings and Queens inspires this piece. They are known as a supreme ruler or a monarch. A monarch is a head of state until abdication and therefore exercises the highest authority and power in the state. Most monarchs have been born and brought up within a royal family and trained for future duties.
The first movement represents a King. Being the one who protects people, maintains order, is virtuous, wise and understanding. The use of low registers of cello and high registers of flute and violin represents stability and power. The second movement represents the Queen—who lives with bravery, grace and thoughtfulness. The third movement shows how a monarch carry out duties with unity and pride, giving the country they govern a sense of stability and continuity.
Lacebook. (n.d.). https://www.facebook.com/100002554473071/videos/779397296896395/
Lacebook. (n.d.). https://www.facebook.com/100002554473071/videos/779397296896395/
Lacebook. (n.d.). https://www.facebook.com/100002554473071/videos/779397296896395/
The piece was performed by Lester Armenta (flautist) Noreen Anne Yambao (violinist) and Kenneth Laron (cellist). They are members of The Manila Symphony Orchestra.
Dracula
Mark Terence Yumang
This piece is inspired by the legend of Prince Vlad III of Wallachia (part of modern
Romania) also known as ‘Drcaula’ (meaning “son of Dracull”) was derived from the latin draco (dragon) after his father’s induction into the Order of the Dragon by the Holy Roman Emperor, which fought the Muslim Ottoman Empire. During his reign in the 15th century, he was known to instill extreme cruelty to those who opposed him.
Unsettling harmony and murk instrumentation was deliberately used to convey a sense of darkness and mystery as the composition chronicles the legend of Dracula.
Facebook. (n.d.). https://www.facebook.com/100002554473071/videos/779397296896395/
The piece was conducted by the composer and performed by The Manila Symphony Orchestra
4th of July
Mark Terence Yumang
This piece is inspired by America’s Independence Day celebrations, also known as The Fourth of July. Its tradition of celebrations goes way back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th, has been celebrated as the birth of American Independence.
The piece, 4th of July, represents the celebration that happens on July 4th; this can be seen by the triumphant theme which symbolizes honor and independence, together with the lively percussion section that represents joy and fireworks.
Indigenous
Mark Terence Yumang
This piece is inspired by the Indigenous people’s way of life, particularly in their music, shared characteristics, war and death, tradition and common economic life. This can be seen as the piece progress through manipulation of sound and texture. INDIGENOUS, the piece, does not represent a particular ethnicity, but a representation of
Indigenous people’s way of life and sound, hence, the combination of instruments used in the piece.
The use of drones, interlocking and syncopated rhythms helped build the foundation of this work. The development of the piece followed a Fibonacci Sequence wherein the cycles are determined by the measures.
Arrangements
All Creatures God and King
This poem is a text from "All creatures of God and King" which is originally composed by St. Francis of Assisi. The tune by which we know these lyrics is from a German hymn called "Lasst Uns Erfreuen". It was harmonized by the English composer Ralph Vaughn Williams.
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The original piece was made for voices (SATB) which then I arranged for orchestra.