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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

while cryingRosu Karukasu

Kjarkas–“LLorando se fue” en escenario

This is “While Crying,” written and composed by Ulises Hermosa, a member of the Bolivian folk group Los Kjarkas.

The original Spanish lyrics are about heartbreak, but they were plagiarized by Kaoma, a France-based group formed mainly by Brazilians, and spread worldwide as “Lambada.”

imilitaryRosu Karukasu

Los Kjarkas – Imillitay

A Bolivian folklore group that carries Andean traditions into the present, Los Kjarkas deliver a gem of a love song.

Their vocals, where sorrow and passion intertwine, blend beautifully with the traditional sounds of the quena and zampoña, weaving a deeply moving sonic world.

Featured on the album “El líder de los humildes,” this piece was released in 1998 and skillfully incorporates the rhythm of Bolivia’s traditional dance music, the tinku.

With vocals that powerfully convey a bittersweet yearning for a loved one and a majestic sound that seems to resonate from the Andean earth itself, it is a song that will resonate deeply with anyone troubled by love.

Soul of the PlainsPedro Eriasu Gutieres

Alma Llanera

Pedro Elías Gutiérrez’s composition Alma Llanera is considered the second national anthem of Venezuela.

It celebrates the spirit of the people living in the plains known as the Llanos.

Written in the popular Venezuelan joropo style, it is the most famous masterpiece of its kind.

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.