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Maceda: Political Pressure, Collective Power

Kate Molleson and Gillian Moore shine new light on 'modern' music. This week, Kate explores one of the largest ever avant-garde musical happenings: José Maceda’s 'Ugnayan'.

Kate Molleson and Gillian Moore present ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3's series exploring the pivotal 'modern' musical works of the 20th century, the groundbreaking composers who created them, and the radical cultural and artistic movements which gave rise to them. This is a story about a hundred years of change. Of war. Of oppression. Of steps towards equality. Of censorship. Of rapid, inescapable technological advancement. Of machines. Of transport. Of science... And it's the story of how art and music responded, the story of the composers who defined the 20th century, who created 'modern' musical art which would shock, appall and fascinate in equal measure, changing the way we listen for ever.

In this episode, Kate explores one of the largest musical happenings in the history of music – José Maceda’s ‘Ugnayan’ of 1974. With potentially millions of performers and listeners involved, the piece took over an entire megalopolis in the Philippines, as twenty distinct musical tracks were played out on different radio frequencies simultaneously. In telling its remarkable story, Kate traces the history of modern art in the Philippines, examining Maceda's connections with some of the leading composers of the avant-garde and his commitment to the emerging world of ethnomusicology. We’ll also hear about the controversial political collusion which made ‘Ugnayan’ possible in the first place, and listen to a large part of this epic work alongside music by Iannis Xenakis, Isang Yun and Midori Takada.

Produced by Sam Phillips
A Reduced Listening production for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3

To listen on most smart speakers, just say “ask ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Sounds to play 20th Century Radicalsâ€

1 day left to listen

59 minutes

Last on

Sun 4 May 2025 21:00

Music Played

  • José Maceda

    Ugnayan

    Performer: José Maceda. Performer: Nita Abrogar. Performer: Ruben Federizon. Performer: Arsenio Nicolas, Jr. Performer: Fabian Obispo. Performer: Felicidad Prudente. Performer: Antonio Regalario.
    • Ugnayan.
    • TZADIK.
  • ABBA

    Waterloo

    • Waterloo.
    • POLYDOR.
  • Lucrecia Roces Kasilag

    Mutya Ng Pasig

    Performer: Lucrecia Roces Kasilag.
    • Mutya Ng Pasig.
    • Sonoton.
  • José Maceda

    Pagsamba

    Ensemble: Jose Maceda Ensemble.
    • Pagsamba.
    • Tzadik Records.
  • Iannis Xenakis

    Pithoprakta

    Orchestra: Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Arturo Tamayo.
    • Pithoprakta.
    • Timpani.
  • Isang Yun

    Reak

    Orchestra: SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden. Conductor: Ernest Bour.
    • Reak.
    • WERGO.
  • José Maceda

    Ugnayan

    Performer: José Maceda. Performer: Nita Abrogar. Performer: Ruben Federizon. Performer: Arsenio Nicolas, Jr. Performer: Fabian Obispo. Performer: Felicidad Prudente. Performer: Antonio Regalario.
    • Ugnayan.
    • TZADIK.
  • Midori Takada

    Catastrophe Σ

    Performer: Midori Takada.
    • Catastrophe Σ.
    • WRWTFWW Records.
  • Hania Rani

    Nostalgia

    Performer: Hania Rani.
    • Nostalgia.
    • Gondwana Records.

Broadcast

  • Sun 4 May 2025 21:00