Nicanor Abelardo

Nicanor Santa Ana Abelardo (February 7, 1893 – March 21, 1934) was a Filipino composer known for his kundiman songs. Biography Early life Nicanor Abelardo was born in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan to Valentin Abelardo and Placida Santa Ana, on February 7, 1893 His mother belonged to a family of artists in Guagua, the Henson. He was introduced to music when he was five years old when his father taught him solfeggio, the bandurria, and the guitar at 6. His quick mastery of the instruments made him a local prodigy. He could play his father’s arrangement of Rossini’s “William Tell Overture” on the guitar at age 6. He also learned the violin and other string instruments given to him by his father, and learned how to play quickly without much difficulty. In 1901, he wrote his first composition, “Ang Unang Buko”, and dedicated it to his grandmother. In 1902, Nicanor’s uncle, the painter Juan Abelardo, took him to Manila to attend several schools. During this time Nicanor became the favorite among the haranistas who admired his skill at such a young age. This was also the time when he learned how to play the piano. He saw a piano for the first time at a factory of one of his uncle’s client