The Kasilag Guitar Quartet

The Kasilag Guitar Quartet is one of the very few guitar quartets in the Philippines today. It is composed of Benchito Cariño, Perfecto De Castro, Edgardo de Dios and Phil Valdez. All of them studied under one of the country’s best guitar pedagogues, Maestro Jose Valdez, and are individual prizewinners of the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA).

The quartet is named in honor of Philippine composer and National Artist Lucrecia Roces Kasilag, whose significant contributions to Philippine music are part of the nation’s pride and treasure. Her outstanding leadership in cultural administration, leading the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) for twenty years since its founding in 1969 and her pioneering works in the East-West idiom has truly made her the ‘First Lady of Philippine Music.’

The group’s main thrust is to explore new possibilities in the art of classical guitar performance in the Philippines where the instrument is usually confined to the playing of standard Classical-Romantic styles. Also in line with this is the broadening of the instrument’s repertoire through transcriptions and arrangements of music of all cultures as well as commissions from various composers.

Apple iTunes
MSN Music
MusicIsHere
Etherstream
Sony Connect
Rhapsody
MusicMatch
MusicNet
Napster
Loudeye
Bitmunk
MP3Tunes
Puretracks
MusicNow
Netmusic

"...varied repertoire... very good work." - Lucrecia Roces Kasilag, Philippine National Artist

“This new compact disc richly displays the guitarists' mastery of music both new and old. I'm pleased to recommend it highly, especially to guitar aficionados." - Morten Lauridsen, composer

"Eclectic, refreshing, evocative! A must for all CG lovers" - CDBaby Buyer Reviews

"One of the best live guitar performances I have ever seen, I wouldn't change a thing. All four performers are talented and together they are magical. The choice of pieces set the stage upon which the Quartet could exemplify the expanded the horizons by which classical guitar can be played." - KGQ Concert Review, Philmusic Pinoyrock Yahoogroup

".....the KGQ played so elegantly and with depth of feeling....." - Maria Celine Veloso Pil, The Manila Times