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Review of "Musica Criolla"

Música Criolla: Choral Gems from Argentina is an extremely special delight, a rare South American treat. The Coro Hispano de San Francisco and Conjunto Nuevo Mundo are choral groups operating under the Instituto Pro Música de California (IPMC), a nonprofit organization committed to making music blossom from within the Spanish-speaking communities in the San Francisco Bay area. Founded in 1975, the Coro Hispano is a community group that explores and performs both classical and folk music from all parts of the Hispanic World. Conjunto Nuevo Mundo is a professional ensemble that provides parallel repertory of vocal chamber music and solo literature of Iberian and Latin American composers. Working together, these two groups provide astounding choral music under the direction of Juan Pedro Gaffney.

Everything about this production is first-class. The album is definitely not your usual holiday offering; instead, this CD offers three principal works: "Misa Criolla" (five tracks totaling 18:25), "Navidad Nuestra" (six tracks totaling 16:33), and "Flor De Chañar" (three tracks totaling 11:12). Only "Navidad Nuestra" is seasonal in nature, and composer Ariel Ramírez brings to life Felix Luna's cycle of poems, a tableau of six scenes that illustrate the Christmas story in Argentine folklore. According to director Gaffney R., this is the drama of Christmas as seen through Third World eyes. The comprehensive liner notes (36 pages, cover to cover!) provide helpful background information in both English and Spanish.

The choral music is largely a cappella with only light accompaniment, including great guitar and percussion. Sung completely in Spanish, the liner notes do describe the stories that unfold. The tone is sometimes joyous, and sometimes somber. The overall tone is more universal than exotic--the music transcends language and cultural barriers. If you love beautiful choral music, then this album will appeal to you.

My favorite pieces here include the opening "Kyrie" (from the "Misa Criolla") and several cuts from Navidad Nuestra, especially "La Peregrinación (huella pampeana)" and "La Huida (vidala tucumana)." The rhythms are hypnotic (the percussion accents are very nice), and the singing clung to my memories long after the album ended.

Música Criolla: Choral Gems from Argentina is for those who embrace Hispanic folk music--and for those adventurous souls who adore great chorale music and are looking for something superbly special for the holidays. Since the music has no hint of traditional Anglo Christmas offerings, this album has limitless replay value all year 'round. Bello!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)