Antonio Molina (composer)

Antonio J. Molina (26 December 1894 – 29 January 1980) was a Filipino composer, conductor and music administrator. He was named a National Artist of the Philippines for his services to music. He was also known as the Claude Debussy of the Philippines due to his use of impressionism in music.

Molina was born in Quiapo, Manila, the son of Juan Molina, a government official, who founded the Molina Orchestra.:147 He attended the Escuela Catolica de Nuestra Padre Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo, Manila, and college at San Juan De Letran where he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1909.

Molina made his first composition in 1912 titled Matinal, which is preserved in an unpublished volume called Miniaturas, Vol. 1.:147 He was appointed to teach harmony, composition, music history, and violincello at the UP Conservatory of Music, pursuing a career in music education until being appointed dean of the Centro Escolar Conservatory of Music. He founded the CEU String Quartet which was professionally organized and financed by its music school.

As a composer Molina is credited with over 500 compositions.

Molina stated in his interview conducted by Helen F. Samson that his music was usually inspired by literature, with his favorite being La Novia Muerta by Ruben Daria.:146 lulu