Program Notes
FANTASÍA MEXICANA
Samuel Zyman
This piece employs elements of musica jarocha, native to the Mexican state of Veracruz. Jarocho music includes indigenous sonorities and rhythms of the Huasteca Nation, which today is spread throughout a large region within modern day Mexico. Flutist Flor Cruz Longoria, who herself is a member of the Huasteca nation, performs with us tonight wearing traditional clothing of her people.
THREE JAMAICAN FOLK SONGS
Peter Ashbourne
Sonya Headlam, a soprano of Jamaican descent herself, performs this song cycle that remembers the Taino people who were indigenous groups that lived throughout the Caribbean and Florida. A distant voice, a touch of the Taino spirit, influences Ashbourne's music.
SPIRITS OF THE FOREST
NOCTURNE ELEGIE
Ramón Catalán
Two of tonight’s world premieres, these pieces were both inspired by the 'pueblos originarios', or original civilizations, that once inhabited the majestical Tierra del Fuego in South America.
VOCALÍCE FOR PIANO AND VIOLA
Carlos Zamora
Composer Carlos Zamora is an indigenous composer from the Atacamenian Culture of the Licanantay of San Pedro de Atacama. Vocalice is a traditional baguala, a slow piece that reminds him of the simple life he knew growing up as a boy, living off the land in his indigenous community in the valley of a volcano called Licanbur. The melody reminds him of his homeland and their traditions of planting, harvesting, and festival celebrations.
OTOÑO EN TIERRA DEL FUEGO AUTUMN IN THE LAND OF FIRE
Aina Sandoval
Emerging composer Aina Sandoval tells the story of Selk’nam de Kamshout who revealed to his tribe the existence of autumn. He transforms himself into a bird and brings Autumn to his native lands KÜRÜF Sebastián Vergara Kürüf means "wind" in Mapudungun, the language of the Mapuche. Composer Sebastian Vergara uses impressions from traditional Mapuche songs and, taking his cue from nature, using this element to bring together the overlapping of various elements. The wind merges the different aspects of culture, history, and nature, as the air we breathe.
KELÜLWE
Dr. Patricio Molina
Kelülwe means "colors" in Mapudungun. The fast dance rhythms from traditional Mapuche music are layered in thick textures to create a picture of the vibrant colors that are present in Mapuche culture through their clothing and art.
TE GUSTA MI BOSQUE YOU LIKE MY FOREST
Composer: Dr. Patricio Molina
Poet: Roxana Miranda Rupailaf
Rupailaf’s poem honors extinct South American nations: selknam, aonikenk, alaculuf, yaman. You will find a translation in your program. The poem tells how the land itself holds the history and memories of the people who once lived there long ago. As the lands come under threat of destruction by the encroachment of the modern world, we are reminded that losing the land means losing history as well. A translation of the poem can be found in your program.
KECHA TREGÜFLE
Composer: Dr. Patricio Molina
Poet: María Lara Millapan
Birds are a significant symbol to many indigenous communities. Millapan’s poem chronicles the transformation of the dying body into the next life. Spirits appear to welcome a dying man into their realm, with a spiritual dance that transforms his soul into a bird. This premiere marks the first time the language of Mapudungun has ever been heard at Carnegie Hall. A translation of the poem can be found in your program.
ARIA DE LAUTARO
Ortiz de Zarate
This aria tells the story of a Mapuche leader named Lautaro who led the uprising against the Spanish conquerors in 1553. Guacolda, a Mapuche hero and Lautaro's partner, tells the story. She sings for her beloved Lautaro and her cherished culture. This performance is the first in a century since its debut in Chile.
JAN ARMASIMTI THE ELDERS
Sandra Caqueo
Jan Armasimti is about the last words of wisdom from an elder: "Don't forget your heritage, your land, your roots, and your family". This is the first time we hear the Aymara language at Carnegie Hall. CUCULÍ Traditional Cuculí is a traditional morning song of the Aymara signaling to the community that it's time to be joyful in life's party one more day again.
EL CONDOR PASA
Dr. Patricio Molina
This piece is a fantasy for violin and piano based on El Condor Pasa, a popular indigenous melody from Peru that is beloved around the world.
ARIA DE FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZONAS / ARIA OF FLORENCE IN THE AMAZON
Daniel Catán
A woman wanders through the Amazon looking for her lost love. In her journey, she discovers the beauty of nature, and the people living in the forest. The song then draws to a close, with her body transformed into a butterfly that symbolizes her spirit.