Masterpieces and history of folklore: An introduction to traditional music of the South American Andes

Maidens of the SunRosu Chyakosu

Los Chacos — Maidens of the Sun

This is the folklore piece Maidens of the Sun, composed by Jorge Bravo de Rueda.

The Inca Empire flourished mainly in Peru and Bolivia in South America.

The title refers to priestesses who served in the temples of the Inca Empire.

Although the piece depicts the maidens of the sun attending a ritual, the lyrics tell of an unrequited love.

HumahuacañoEdamundo Sarudibāru

Flower Festival Umahuacaño

This is “Humahuaqueño,” a piece of Andean folklore said to have been composed or transcribed by Edmundo Saldívar from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In Japanese it’s titled “Hanamatsuri” (Flower Festival), but that title is only used in places like Japan and France, so it’s better to remember the original title.

Coffee RumbaŪgo Buranko

HUGO BLANCO – MOLIENDO CAFE

This is Coffee Rumba, which became a major hit performed by harpist Hugo Blanco.

The original title is Moliendo Café, meaning “Grinding Coffee.” Although the Japanese title says “Rumba,” the actual rhythm is not rumba but Orquidea.

It’s a popular song in Japan and has been covered by many singers.

On Beni’s beachArehando ro Kamara

EN LAS PLAYAS DEL BENI ( en Charango )

This is a piece themed around a romance on the banks of the Mamoré River in Bolivia, titled “On the Shores of Beni.” Its style is called a “vals,” which is a waltz.

The rendition played on the charango by Alejandro Camara, in particular, is beloved by many.

Mi BoliviaSakanbaya

SACAMBAYA – Mi Bolivia

The Bolivian group Sakambaya delivers a soul-stirring, majestic performance that conveys the very essence of traditional Andean music.

Featured on their 2004 album Migrante, this piece employs the tinku rhythm to evoke emotions that are both powerful and delicate.

Centered around the group’s leading figure, Jorge Aquino, the harmonies woven by distinguished members including Edwin Ceballos evoke the breath of the majestic Andes themselves.

The signature sounds of the kena and charango—virtually synonymous with the group—brilliantly express Bolivian culture and spirit, making this a perfect track for anyone wishing to experience the heart of Andean music.

Blanca RosaFerunando Himenes

Blanca Rosa-Fernando Jiménez.

This is “Blanca Rosa,” a classic of Andean folklore imbued with melancholy.

The plaintive tone of the kena stands out over Latin American rhythms.

Many musicians perform it, but I especially recommend listening to the rendition by Fernando Jiménez, a Bolivian master of the zampoña.

From the plateau to the jungleErunesuto Kabūru

ERNESTO CAVOUR Ernesto Cavour; From the Mountains to the Jungle — From the Plateau to the Rainforest

A gem of a masterpiece that brilliantly expresses the majesty of the Andes through music.

Included on the album “Agua Y Tierra,” this piece by Bolivian musician Ernesto Cavour paints the landscapes of his homeland—from the high plateau to the dense jungle—through the delicate tones of the charango.

It was also featured on the 2007 album “50 Años, Antología,” and continues to be cherished as one of his signature works.

Cavour, who founded the Charango Museum in La Paz in 1962, is known for his innovative musicianship, including the creation of the charango “ESTRELLITA,” which features five separate necks.

This is a highly recommended track for anyone interested in traditional Andean music or wishing to experience the grandeur of South America’s natural world through sound.