RAYMI
sinfonía-obertura
Composed in June 2013, "Raymi" is a programmatic work consisting of four movements. Fundamental elements such as polyphony, polyrhythm, and body percussion are incorporated. From a single theme, this composition offers the listener a diverse world of colors and sensations, all while remaining rooted in the indigeous and traditional.
The overall structure of the work is conceived in the following forms: "Allegro - Sonata", "Rondo and Coda", which allows for the distinction of the following movements:
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I) EL INCA - The Inca
II) DANZA DEL SOL - Dance of the Sun
III) DANZA DE LA LUNA Y RITUAL - Dance of the Moon and Ritual
IV) RAYMI
SYNOPSIS
I) EL INCA The Inca
The composer employs traditional harmony to depict the sunrise over the magnificent Inca territory; the resplendent sun ascends majestically, illuminating the figure of the laboring indigenous person. The primary motif, introduced by the English horn at the outset of the composition, symbolizes the Sun god Inti, whereas the brass section employs contemporary harmony to convey another musical concept: the grandeur of the Inca leader before his subjects.
II) DANZA DEL SOL Dance of the Sun
This movement is structured as "Allegro - Sonata."
During the Inti Raymi festivals, it is customary to dance to the beat of the Sanjuanito rhythm. People pay homage to the god Inti through an intensely masculine dance, which the composer envisions within a contemporary harmonic framework featuring pronounced polyrhythms, with the persistent "ostinato" of the Sanjuanito ever-present. Simultaneously, the dominant theme, played by the winds, emerges as a powerful, warlike dance.
The tuba announces the arrival of the Shaman who directs the ceremony. The development of the movement is a dance that becomes ever more intense, majestic, and dramatic. The dance reaches its climax at the recapitulation of the main theme, the dance of the Sun. The Shaman, now represented by the French horn, is reintroduced and announces the arrival of the women. The dance ends little by little as indigenous participants sit around the sacred circle.
III) DANZA DE LA LUNA Y RITUAL Dance of the Moon and Ritual
A polyrhythmic ostinato of the ropes announces that the night has come. The atmosphere becomes calm, and with the subtle intonation of the cello and the French horn, the theme of the goddess Quilla (Moon goddess) emerges. The "harmonics" effect on the saucers, played with bowed strings, symbolizes the night, while the chords maintain a harmonic foundation to allow the winds to introduce variations of the main theme of this movement.
Suddenly, the Shaman appears, invoking the gods to celebrate a ritual alongside the village. The war horns (horn and tuba) join the people who cry out to the gods, represented by the strings and winds. They sing and stomp their feet on the ground.
The development begins with a solo flute and incorporates elements of the main theme. This culminates with the arrival of the Sun God and the Moon Goddess, their themes now interwoven.
IV) RAYMI
Its meaning in the Kichwa language is "Festival."
The final movement of this piece presents the "Rondo" form with a concluding Coda.
The celebration begins with a "Yumbo" rhythm. Various thematic variations with a festive character create an atmosphere of grand celebration. The ritual formed within the sacred circle leads both men and women to chant the names of their gods: "Inti Raymi!" (Feast of the Sun) and "Quilla Raymi!" (Feast of the Moon), accompanied rhythmically by the stomping of their feet to the beat of the Yumbo.
​The party continues with a brief recap of the preceding themes, culminating in an energetic final coda led by the brass section. Here, the theme of the sun god emerges in a majestic and imposing manner, until the entire orchestra joins in, capturing the spirit of the people who energetically herald the gods with the cry: "Raymi ha!"
DETAILS OF THE WORK
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Instrumentation:
Piccolo, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, English horn, 2 B-flat Clarinets, 2 Bassoons, Contrabassoon, 4 French horns, 3 B-flat Trumpets, 2 Trombones, Bass trombone, Tuba, Timpani, 4 Percussionists, String orchestra
Duration:
31:00 min.