Juan de Araujo: L'Or et l'Argent du Haut-Pérou

On this CD:

1. Vaya de gira
Composed by Juan de Araujo
Performed by Elyma Ensemble

2. Avecillas Sonoras
Composed by Juan de Araujo
Performed by Elyma Ensemble

3. Para arrullar el amor
Composed by Juan de Araujo
Performed by Elyma Ensemble

4. Al Sentido Confuso
Composed by Juan de Araujo
Performed by Elyma Ensemble

5. A Recoger Pasiones Inhumanas
Composed by Juan de Araujo
Performed by Elyma Ensemble

6. Nueva Guerra De Los Campos
Composed by Juan de Araujo
Performed by Elyma Ensemble

7. Alarma, valientes
Composed by Juan de Araujo
Performed by Elyma Ensemble

8. Cayosele Al Alba
Composed by Juan de Araujo
Performed by Elyma Ensemble

9. Corderito, Por Qué Te Escondes?
Composed by Juan de Araujo
Performed by Elyma Ensemble

10. Atencion a la Fraga Amorosa
Composed by Juan de Araujo
Performed by Elyma Ensemble

11. Ah de la Obscura, Funesta Prision
Composed by Juan de Araujo
Performed by Elyma Ensemble

12. Qué Dulce, qué Horrible Estruendo
Composed by Juan de Araujo
Performed by Elyma Ensemble

13. Lamentación de Jeremías, for chorus & ensemble
Composed by Juan de Araujo
Performed by Elyma Ensemble

14. Magnificat for chorus & ensemble
Composed by Juan de Araujo
Performed by Elyma Ensemble

Customer Reviews:

Araujo: A neglected master.......2006-11-12

I became familiar with Juan de Araujo (1646-1712) through Hyperion's two Latin American baroque music anthologies: "Moon, Sun & All Things" and "New World Symphonies." As evidenced by the selections on those releases, Araujo was a first-rate composer, despite being unknown today. As a bit of background, Araujo left Spain for South America during childhood. Early in life, Araujo composed in Peru and Panama, before accepting the position of choirmaster at La Plata Cathedral (located in present-day Bolivia, but known as "Upper Peru" during the colonial period). Sources suggest that the choir and orchestra at La Plata, primarily funded through the mining of precious metals, were equal to the finest European ensembles. And thus, we have the title of this release (English translation): "Gold and Silver in High-Peru."

Of course, the only thing you need to know is that this program, featuring some of the sacred works of Araujo, is that the music is fantastic. Many of Araujo's compositions were composed in the lively villancico style. These are extraverted pieces, full of energetic polyphonic choral writing, surprising syncopations and colorful orchestration, including recorders, sackbuts, lutes, percussion and a harp. Yet, several of the selections contain lovely melancholic reflections, suggesting a level of sophistication absent from other music from this period. This program concludes with two transcendent lamentations, which serve to contrast against the spirited, dance-like villancicos. An excellent performance by the Ensemble Elyma rounds out this highly attractive package.

In summary, this release is yet another piece of evidence indicating that Araujo's obscurity is unwarranted. If you enjoyed the baroque music anthologies mentioned above, or consider yourself a fan of the late renaissance period, you will enjoy this. If you missed either "Moon, Sun & All Things" or "New World Symphonies," I would acquire those first on the basis that they contain more variety.

Highly recommended.

TT: 66:53

Music Review:

Music Review

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