ILANG-ILANG (Cananga Odorata)

Composed in 1890 by revolutionary musician Julio Nakpil, Ilang-ilang is a mazurka for piano named after the fragrant Philippine flower. Nakpil, who was closely associated with the Katipunan during the struggle for independence, often infused his works with both romantic charm and quiet patriotic fervor. The mazurka form—a European dance style—was adapted by Nakpil into a distinctly Filipino idiom, graceful yet expressive.

Through Pedro Concepcion’s arrangement, the piece entered the Philippine concert band repertoire, where its lyrical melodies and gentle dance rhythms gained new life in full instrumentation. Today, Ilang-ilang stands as both a musical gem from the late 19th century and a reminder of the cultural flowering that accompanied the nation’s fight for freedom.