Ili, Ili Tulog Anay

Notes from the arranger

Traditional Philippine music reflects the country’s diverse culture and history. Though a Southeast Asian country, its musical heritage has been influenced by the Spanish who arrived over 500 years ago. The first Filipino people encountered by the Ferdinand Megellan expedition in 1521 were the Visayans from the island of Sulvan. Dominant historical cultural strains include Hispanic, Han Chinese, Indian, Islamic, Christian, and American influences. The song is sung in Hiligaynon, a dialect of the Visayan language. “Ili, Ili” is term of endearment, “my dear, my dear.” The song reflects the family values of the culture. It is traditionally sung by an older sister or female relative to help a child fall asleep while the mother is away.

Traditional Philippine musical instruments include bamboo flutes, zithers, lutes, drums, gongs, and xylophones. This arrangement utilizes special harp techniques to imitate the sound of some of these instruments. “Sons Xylo” is a technique where the fingers of the left hand are placed against the base of selected harp strings just where the string emerges from the sound board while the right hand plucks the strings. This creates a xylophone like sound. Harmonics create a pure flute-like tone and arpeggiated patterns create the sound of a gentle breeze in the trees. The section marked “Pincé les 2 mains” utilizes a technique where the harp string is pinched and pulled between the index finger and thumb. Both the left and the right hands use this technique in the passage creating a chime-like effect.

Cover art is a watercolor painting by Kathleen Blackwell-Plank of the yucca plant which is native to the Philippines.

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