During the concert of Música Temprana, the rich and diverse world of colonial Latin American music will be presented. Lamentations and the Three Responsories for Holy Week, which are the focal points of the repertoire, are an expression of both religious reflection and the cultural heritage of the region. And there were plentiful influences from foreign cultures, which is confirmed by the musical compositions created at that time.

Cusco, once the capital of the Incas and as important a centre as Rome in Europe, had a turbulent history full of internal conflicts. This made its conquest easier, and soon afterwards, the state gained its Catholic cathedral and musical rituals. That is why, over a hundred years later, we find here so many Lamentations of Jeremiah. The history of the presented works is intertwined with the colonial legacy of Latin America, where European musical traditions collided with indigenous cultures, creating a new musical landscape. The anonymous Lamentations from Cusco were initially closely related to the Spanish style, but around the mid-18th century they began to be influenced by Italian formal conventions. Among them, single-, double- and multi-voice compositions were found. The compositions of Tomás Torrejón y Velasca reflect the fusion of European polyphony with Andean melodies. Meanwhile, Juan de Arauja’s works, rooted in the musical traditions of colonial Bolivia, reflect the spirit of Baroque extravagance.

The Responsories for Holy Week by an unknown author from Argentina will enrich the repertoire with moving reflections on the Passion of Christ. Also related to Easter, Villancicos de pasión, which often begin with the exclamation “¡Ay!”, have a special meaning in the context of how emotions were expressed. These words in Spanish aesthetics symbolise all kinds of pain, suffering and sadness, but they are also a form of contemplation and reflection on human experiences. In their simplicity, they can be powerful means of artistic expression, allowing performers to reach the deepest emotions of their listeners. This task during the concert will be undertaken by Adrián Rodríguez Van der Spoel and his Música Temprana – specialists in the interpretation of music from Latin America and Spain during colonialism.