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A letter from Music Director/Conductor Gerard Salonga:
One morning, I did an internet search for "Lucio San Pedro". I was looking for a way to purchase a recording of his symphonic works, having myself never heard the orchestral mastery of this National Artist. I was quite disappointed when the only incarnations I could find were in the form of ring tones and MIDI files.
It hit me. There were simply not enough recordings available, if any at all, of the greatest musical achievements of Filipinos. There was plenty of Pop to go around, but I was saddened by the fact that truly great Filipino music was largely unavailable to us.
From that day, it became my mission to do something about it in my own humble way, and the result is the series of recordings here. I feel very lucky to be able to share this music with my fellow Filipinos, as well as everyone else around the world.
Investigating this music has been an extremely gratifying experience for me, and my colleagues in the orchestra. The relationships I have formed with the composers, both personally and spiritually through their music, as well as the bonds formed with the musicians during the recording sessions, have had an impact that will affect the rest of my musical life. The presence of Angel Pena at our recording sessions, for example, was akin to having Beethoven there to tell me exatly how much joy, or resentment, he was feeling whilst writing his C-minor Symphony. Him being there to answer all my questions, whether related or not to his music, will mean more to me than he will ever know.
If I were to use one word to describe this series, the word would be honest. By no stretch is this collection perfect, but by all accounts honest. Not for fame, accolades, approval, or personal gain. This is one humble musician's endeavor to get great music out of the dust, and for it to be heard. That may be an over-simplification, but a truth nonetheless. As I said in our first live performance of Maestro San Pedro's music, most every composer's dream, and driving force for whatever reason, is for his or her music to be played. And heard.
I hope you will join us on this musical journey. A journey that will, if my luck continues, last a lifetime.
Mabuhay ang Musikong Pilipino.
Gerard Salonga
August 2006
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