SUMMERTIME

by G. Gershwin

 This iconic song comes from the Gershwin opera “Porgy and Bess,”
a black-inspired story that tells of the melancholy and lament
of Bess as she thinks of her friend who had taken his own
life even as she was now enjoying the easy life of summer
when the summer flowers are in full bloom.

NIGHT AND DAY

by C. Porter

This is a song of longing and aching, describing love as under the skin

and infectious. The light syncopations and chromaticism

add to its rhythmic lilt.

OVERTURE TO “MY FAIR LADY”

by F. Loewe/R. Sunico

 This all-time favorite Broadway musical is presented here as a medley

of its various songs, many of which have become independently

popular. Included are “I Could Have Danced All Night,”

“On the Street Where You Live,” “Get Me to the Church on Time,”

“The Rain in Spain,” “Show Me,” “I’ve Grown Accustomed

to Her Face,” and “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?”

PAMULINAWEN - BANNATIRAN

by R. Sunico

These two popular Ilocano songs are combined into a medley

to enhance the endearing quality of their message of love

and courtship. “Pamulinawen” is the name of a girl with a hardened

heart who refuses to be swayed by her suitor's sweet words

and advances, while “Bannatiran” is a native bird from Ilocos

that is used as a metaphor in matters of love and longing.

MAALAALA MO KAYA

by C. de Guzman

 This endearing love song tells of a male lover’s curiosity 

about whether the love promised to him would remain steadfast,

which if it would, will be the source of his true happiness.

to continue living.

DAHIL SA IYO

by M. Velarde

This timeless kundiman, now popularly associated with Former

First Lady Imelda R. Marcos, speaks of a male suitor who proclaims

to his girl that it is because of her that he wants to continue living.

SARANGGOLA NI PEPE

by N. Gallardo/R. Sunico

This is a happy-go-lucky song whose carefree living is symbolized

by a young boy flying his kite while depicting scenes of a deaf

grandfather, a captive bird, a moving jeepney, and the trivial

movements of nature.

PANDANGGUHAN

by N. Gilbert

This is a song translated as “Dancing the Pandanggo.”
Its source is the Spanish fandango, a lively dance in 3/4 time.

TAKE FIVE

by P. Desmond

Popularized by the jazz pianist Dave Brubeck, this popular song takes

its name from its unusual meter of 5/4, and is also suggestive

of a short break from work lasting around five minutes.

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

by F. Mercury

One of the most enduring popular songs of all time, this piece

was recorded by the British rock band, Queen. Their leader,

Freddie Mercury, composed the suite, which is notable for lacking

a refraining chorus and instead consisting of several distinct

sections, including an introduction, a ballad segment, an operatic

passage, a hard rock part, and a reflective coda.

SPAIN

by J. Rodrigo/C. Correa

The theme is taken from the second movement of Joaquin Rodrigo’s

Concerto de Aranjuez for Guitar and Orchestra. American jazz pianist

Chick Correa provides his improvisations on the theme, modifying

its harmonic progressions while introducing broken chords

for a contemporary feel.

NEVER LET HER SLIP AWAY

by A. Gold

This song was written by Andrew Gold for his girlfriend

Laraine Newman, a cast member of “Saturday Night Live,”

where he expresses his longing for her during a long distance

call even after meeting her only for a week.

RHAPSODY IN BLUE

by G. Gershwin

This Gershwin masterpiece has become a symbol of the birth

of American jazz and has been performed by various types

of ensembles – from piano solo, orchestra, band, and chamber groups.

It is replete with syncopations, chromaticism, broken chords,

and held together by a nostalgic melody in the middle section.