Guadalupe: Virgen De Los Indios [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble hits a high mark with this recording of indigenous Mexican and Central American homages to the Virgin of Guadalupe. Historically, the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Nahua Indian Juan Diego in 1531, prompting a flush of visual arts, crafts, and musical compositions. These 18 pieces reach back to the mid-16th century, and to approximate the period's likely fusion of formal, through-composed Spanish practices with indigenous improvisatory methods, SAVAE has scripted percussion and flute accompaniment to the European-tinged vocals. Culled from cathedral archives, the vocal parts are as richly reverential as almost any comparable work from continental Europe, centering their tones in the lower register and proceeding at loosely articulated intervals. The added instruments work well as nuance, accentuation, and contrasts: the clay flutes--used only occasionally--create at once an airiness and timbrally scouring undertones. The percussion (mostly log and clay drums) is similarly deep-toned and wispy, providing an often gently propulsive rhythmic framework. In many cases, these compositions have never before been recorded. Add to this historical value the mix of national styles, and this package is downright vital to Latin American music enthusiasts and early-music cognoscenti alike. --Andrew Bartlett

About the Artist
Led by Christopher and Covita Moroney the San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble has made an international reputation of re-creating previously unheard music. "Guadlupe - Virgen de Los Indios" remains one of the seven-member group's most popular releases and has won high praises from the Associated Press, Los Angeles Times and a variety of other sources.

Album Description
The celebrated album by SAVAE, the San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble, reviving the earlies mustic written to honor La Virgen de Guadalupe in the 1500s.

Guadalupe: Virgen De Los Indios [Import]

Tracks:

Abrase el reyna de cielo
Mananitas a la Virgen de Gaudalupe
Dios Es Nacido
Aquestando tonceria
Aufer a nobes inquitates
Nican Mopphua
Virgen Madre de Dios
O Virgen de Maria
Al prodigio mayor
De la Sagrada Maria
Juantzin, Juan Diegotzing
Bay magalhi
Alabaza: Ducle Conselo
Hoy nace la nueva Estrella
Tepeyac
In il huicac cihuapille
Y technepa sacramento Dios
Ma Xiccaqui

Amazon.com

The San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble hits a high mark with this recording of indigenous Mexican and Central American homages to the Virgin of Guadalupe. Historically, the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Nahua Indian Juan Diego in 1531, prompting a flush of visual arts, crafts, and musical compositions. These 18 pieces reach back to the mid-16th century, and to approximate the period's likely fusion of formal, through-composed Spanish practices with indigenous improvisatory methods, SAVAE has scripted percussion and flute accompaniment to the European-tinged vocals. Culled from cathedral archives, the vocal parts are as richly reverential as almost any comparable work from continental Europe, centering their tones in the lower register and proceeding at loosely articulated intervals. The added instruments work well as nuance, accentuation, and contrasts: the clay flutes--used only occasionally--create at once an airiness and timbrally scouring undertones. The percussion (mostly log and clay drums) is similarly deep-toned and wispy, providing an often gently propulsive rhythmic framework. In many cases, these compositions have never before been recorded. Add to this historical value the mix of national styles, and this package is downright vital to Latin American music enthusiasts and early-music cognoscenti alike. --Andrew Bartlett

Product Description

The celebrated album by SAVAE, the San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble, reviving the earlies mustic written to honor La Virgen de Guadalupe in the 1500s.

Customer Reviews:

Inspired Music.......2007-07-06

Gorgeous harmonies and compelling musical lines and hypnotic rhythms combine with spiritual strength to make this recording profoundly moving and soothing to the soul. Timeless music that makes time stand still.

what a shame..........2004-09-29

Que pena! This could have been a triumph, were it not for the unbelievably poor pronunciation of the Spanish and Nahuatl languages. Though I agree somewhat with other reviewers about the lack of passion, frankly, this is so trumped by the pronunciation issue that I really couldn't get past it. The voices are good but not outstanding (the arrangements are great)and so it really needs/needed authenticity. Linda Rondstadt's Canciones de mi Padres is one of my favorite recordings of all time, and she does not speak Spanish (though she was certainly familiar with the rhythms and culture, as you would think these folks from Texas are.) Anyway, close but no cigar.

Guadalupe praised in Spanish and Nahuatl.......2000-11-02

I own two CD's by this group and bought the Guadalupe themed music in reverse order of their release dates. I loved the first one I bought and was a little disapointed when I listened to this one. The vocals lack passion and the Spanish language songs are sung with a poor accent... Hiring a singer that could annunciate the Nahuatl language would have helped. The concept and vocals themselves are beautiful. The shortcomings can be overlooked because of it's sheer beauty. The music mixes indigenous reproduced Aztec instruments with vocals. The language is derived from manuscripts dating back to the conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards. The blending of Aztec and Spanish language in praise of La Virgen de Guadalupe is marvelous and powerful. Conceptually it is wonderful and leaves one feeling tranquil and peaceful. It is meditative music that allows one to listen to one's heartbeat and feel contemplative and joyful. This is a good revival of spiritual music, it just needs more soul. Excellent background music to take a walk in nature and marvel at the gifts we are blessed with. Good peaceful music to get in touch with your inner sanctum.

A different approach to medieval music.......2000-05-01

A refreshing departure from the nation's apparent obsession with Celtic and "celtic" music, these are Central American madrigals. All are sung in their original language. Not bad, but nothing too memorable.

Excellent recreation of a medieval musical treasure........1999-05-01

The unique mixture of Spanish Renaissance and Aztec folk music was lost for centuries. This group recreated the music after a fortunate discovery of the old scripts. The group provides a highly enjoyable listening experience by recapturing the mysterious ambience of the times. Their talented work in rescueing a long-forgotten musical treasure is examplary. This type of music and approach bring beauty, peace and love to our trobled times.

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