Fantasia No.1 on the Songs of Willy Cruz and Baby Gil - for Piano & Orchestra 

PIANO & ORCHESTRA version of Fantasia No.1
In our FB chat, I intimated to Ms. Cecile Licad my long time desire of her playing one of my musical works, inspired by the songs of Willy Cruz (her favorite cousin, in her own words), with a full orchestra. Without any hesitation, she agreed! If this happens, my UP College of Music journey will have come full circle.
FANTASIA No.1 on the Songs of Willy Cruz and Baby Gil - for Piano & Orchestra
Composer: Danny Tan
Kapag Puso'y Sinugatan, Sana'y Maghintay ang Walang Hanggan
Music: Willy Cruz
Lyrics: Baby Gil
BACKSTORY: During my first interview with Dean Mangahas after having been accepted as a Piano Major in 1976, she asked me if I knew Chopin or Cecile Licad. I replied, "No, ma'am". I was the naive freshman "probinsyano" who just arrived in Manila from Brooke's Point, Palawan. I didn't know Chopin (pronounced as show-pan) was the Chopin (cho-pin, my pronunciation) I knew. I was so embarrassed because I never heard of Cecile Licad. I could just imagine how flabbergasted Dean Mangahas and my fellow interviewee, drummer Mar Dizon, were with my answer! I could have been a laughing stock of UP College of Music!
As a frustrated concert pianist, I have long yearned to write a piece for solo piano in concerto style. I was enrolled as a Piano Major at the UP College of Music in 1976 before I shifted to Composition upon the prodding of Dr. Lucio San Pedro, my favorite college professor. Finally, I got to sit down and write this composition, inspired by the melodies of my dearest friend, Mr. Willy Cruz!