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About
the band and its music:
Panpipes, bamboo flutes, the ringing double and triple strings of
the charango and tiple... Memorias de los Andes
("Memorias" for short) is the band for concerts, banquets,
weddings, birthdays, lounge music, and many other occasions where
quality counts and something special is desired. If you like the
sound of Irish post-celtic, try some post-incaic for size. (listen
to us on our CD online or the samples
box at the bottom of this page)
Have
you ever heard a melody you could not quite describe but that
was so catchy it stayed with you for a long, long time? Memorias
is a band formed in 2002 by four long-time experts of a lesser-known
genre that beautifully combines unusual flutes and panpipes with
acoustic strings that range from the common guitar to exotic marvels
like the lute-like charango and the steel guitar-like tiple. In
an age in which we are beset from all directions by prefab electric
music that all sounds the same and replaces musician skill with
industry formula and electronic synthesizers, Memorias religiously
commits to acoustic instruments, performing with human skill and
feeling instead of factory-made effects. In this fashion, it forms
a pristine oasis in an industrially polluted world of music. Just
as the better known Irish Music of today reflects ancient celtic
sentiment preserved and carried through the dark ages while also
having evolved along the way, so does the Andean Music of Memorias
immortalize the very essence of pre-Columbian civilization in today's
modern times.
Although
Memorias has beautiful vocal pieces in its repertoire for Latin
audiences, its emphasis lies on instrumental tunes that cross national
and cultural borders sounding at times like romantic movie tracks,
at other times like a happening party. Memorias adjusts to the wishes
of its audience, playing upbeat or mellow as desired. Thus, these
four talented musicians who sound like six blend easily into the
background of a banquet or wake the dead with rare treasures from
Latin America or with their own creative compositions. Memorias'
first CD was released at the end of 2004 and includes numerous
original compositions. It is now available on
this site for listening and purchase. Words can't do Memorias justice.
Its music one must simply hear for oneself, for one can only approximately
describe it as a Classical Music bred in the South American highlands,
a New Age sound without the artificial ingredients, mystic folklore
that has outgrown the fetters of tradition, or haunting dream music
which now and then dances a merry jig.
Bringing
you the surviving gold of the Incas, the heritage of wind-swept
places where the cultures of Europe, Africa, and especially Native
America merged to create an electrifying music of the soul, these
four musicians never disappoint. Despite being busy, Memorias often
has a number of open spots in its calendar throughout the year for
special appearances at weddings, birthday parties, banquets, gatherings
and other occasions. For your own event, book
them today! (duo and trio arrangements are also possible)
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Andean Links:
For more information on Andean music and the Andes you may
want to visit these select sites:
CULTURES
OF THE ANDES
Great site with many nifty links and pages. Especially notable:
the Quechua
Songs page with its lyrics (original and translated)
plus listening samples.
Andean
music
Short description and history plus links.
A
Short History of Andean Folk Music
Nice short history. They also sell learning manuals for siku
(AKA: zampoña) and quena.
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