Fundacion de Musica
Established in 1992 by Egberto Bermudez and Juan Luis Restrepo, the Fundacion de Musica, or “Music Foundation,” has supported research and study into the music of Colombia. The Foundation has produced numerous books and recordings that give evidence of a country with a rich and complex music history. Their recording projects are divided into three categories—Historical, Traditional, and Ethnic. Within the historical we find a wealth of music from Colombia’s Spanish Colonial period, primarily centered on its capital Bogotá, once known as Santafé.
The Foundation’s many releases have not been solely devoted to music from Colombia, but from other parts of colonial Latin America such as Peru, Guatemala, and Mexico. They’ve included works that were heard in churches, town squares, and salons, as well as music inspired by indigenous and African populations within the colonies.
“Al dichoso nacer de mi Niño”
The Foundation’s most recent recording, “Al dichoso nacer de mi Niño,” recreated a Christmas Matins church service from 1702, which included villancicos and instrumental pieces.
“History of Music in Santafé and Bogotá”
One of the Foundation’s special publications was the book entitled “History of Music in Santafé and Bogotá from 1538-1938,” which was accompanied by a two CD set of recordings, which excerpted four hundred years worth of music beginning with the high Renaissance and concluding with salon music of the early 20th Century.
The ensemble’s 1993 release, “Armonía Andina,” was designed to represent countries with Andean cultures, including Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia. The endeavor was undertaken to connect indigenous music with that of the Spanish colonies. In some cases the performance even incorporated traditional Andean instruments.
Our new release of the week features soprano Linda Tsatsanis and Lutenist John Lenti in their debut release on the Origin Classical label. They perform a varied program of 17th-century songs from France, England, and Italy for voice and lute or theorbo accompaniment. All of the composers represented were well known in their day as great exponents of song in their native languages.
Here’s a video of a series of Spanish Colonial images with ensemble Canto performing “Convidando está la noche” by Juan García de Céspedes.