There was a fundraising concert held at the College of Music for the benefit of Sir Manny Gregorio last Wednesday, the 23rd (Please pray for him, he is currently in the ICU of San Juan De Dios Hospital).
Among the several performers were Ma'am Camille Lopez-Molina (who did an awesome rendition of Maria Clara's aria, Kay Tamis ng Buhay), the Madz, the UP Camerata (my new favorite choir! Go collegemates!) Ma'am Luci Magalit, and Kuya Ervin Lumauag. His performance of Sir Agot Espino's Kundiman ng Langit was the highlight of the evening, for me (There WAS one incident concerning the order of the music sheets that made our pulses quicken, haha! But it was a breathtaking performance, nonetheless).
Just wanted to share the beautiful lyrics of this exquisite song.
KUNDIMAN NG LANGIT
May isang kundimang naiiba,
Daloy ay kay haba, waring hindi magwawakas;
Nilikha buhat sa langit, ng Amang tapat umibig;
Awitin, kundiman ng langit.
Himig ay sinulat ng Kanyang dugo,
Titik ay hinugot sa pusong ‘di magtatampo,
Ang hatid ay kaligtasan, at ang ating kalayaan;
Dinggin, kundimang ito.
Kay hiwaga ng pag-ibig na dulot Mo,
Kasalanan ko’y nilimot nang totoo;
Sa kabila ng ginawa ko; ako’y mahal na mahal Mo,
May hihigit pa ba sa pag-ibig Mo?
Sana’y tugunan ang haranang ito
Na binuhay ng kamatayang pinangtubos,
Sugat ay paghihilumin. Dungis nati’y lilinisin;
Damhin, pagsuyong ito.
May hihigit pa ba sa kundimang ito?
I was lucky enough to have the honor of interviewing Sir Agot Espino, the composer of this classic song. He told me that this was one of the few songs he was able to notate with words AND music, at the same time! This made me comment that it was as if God was whispering in Sir Agot's ear. The humble man blushed at this, and said he didn't want to assume this was so. But he believes (and so do I) that this song couldn't have been written without Divine Inspiration.
What struck me about this song upon my first hearing was its near-perfect cohesion of words and music, which only occurs in masterpieces of the art song. And truly, Kundiman ng Langit is a masterpiece. It sends chills up and down my spine... to visualize Sir Agot, writing down the notes and lyrics of this blessed song, with each individual note and nuance perfectly in place.
Here's hoping that Kundiman ng Langit will be performed more often in worship services. :) If there ever was a song composed that deserves to win a praise song award, this has GOT to be it!
"... and with my song I will praise Him." (Psalm 28:7)
awww.i hope sir manny will get well soon..
ReplyDeleteKundiman ng Langit is also a personal favorite. This was my Filipino piece in my first year in college. And i reaaaaaly loooove it=)
I miss you guys!=) mwah!
Wow, first Filipino song mo pala ito. How special! *thinks hard* Mine was SA BAWAT SANDALI. Hehe.
ReplyDeleteSomeone said that "Kundiman ng Langit" is now the most popular song in CMu. Dapat lang! :) Kakaiba yung ganda niya.
We miss you Eni dear! *hug* Take care
Hay... and Ervin certainly did justice to this song. :) LOVE IT. :)
ReplyDeleteHaha! AND TAKE NOTE! May polyps pa siya nun! ;) He's such an amazing singer!
ReplyDeletemiss you too gabeey! i miss all of you kaya! shux...ganda tlaga ng kantang yan. of course, for us baritones, the lower key. haha. i first heard it kay Joesph Legaspi for his farewell recital.
ReplyDeletewaah..sayang..i missed kuya ervin's pagkanta..haay..
take care lagi ah! mwaaah =)
regards
eni
Si Dondi Ong ang unang una kumanta ng Kundiman ng Langit sa loob ng College and sa labas.
ReplyDeleteHi Ate Alexis! Thanks for sharing... bwahaha, napaka-historic pala ang papel ni Kuya Dondi sa college!
ReplyDeleteOf course! hahahaha. Buti nalang I recorded it. haha :)
ReplyDeleteim proud of sir! what a humble guy. what a breathtaking song, ang ganda ng scales on the piano in the major part, it's like the sweetest purest wind.
ReplyDeleteyup! super ganda ng pyesa. ayaw mong matapos ung song kasi masarap sa tenga. favorite part ko rin ung sa major part, ung may scales! un bang nasa langit ka na, pero umaangat ka pa rin
ReplyDelete