Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout II. Tarqueda
Gabriela Lena FrankPiece Duration: 03:10
About this Piece
(Movement II is 0:00-3:10)
Program Note: "Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout draws inspiration from the idea of mestizaje as envisioned by Peruvian writer José María Arguedas, where cultures can coexist without the subjugation of one by the other. As such, this piece mixes elements from the western classical and Andean folk music traditions.
'Tarqueda' is a forceful and fast number featuring the tarka, a heavy wooden duct flute that is blown harshly in order to split the tone. Tarka ensembles typically also play in fourths and fifths.” -Gabriela Lena Frank
Listen to the Tarka flute at this link!
Teachers - Further Reading: "Mestizaje"
-"Problematizing Mestizaje" - Eric Rodriguez and Everardo J. Cuevas
-"The Politics and Performance of Mestizaje in Latin America" - Paul K. Eiss and Joanne Rapport
"Mestizaje has been a complicated topic to dissect as it is oftentimes seen as a topic around 'blood quantum' (ideology introduced to quantify the percentage of Indigenous blood people possess) [...]
However, mestizaje is not an issue of blood quantum, but rather a social, cultural, and political identity that acknowledges someone's Indigenous roots, but also recognizes their Spanish heritage. [Mestizaje] is enforcing the dualities that come with the identities of both the oppressor and oppressed." - Jessica Fernandez ("Fresh Banana Leaves" 2022)
"Leyendas" Movements Featured:
II. Tarqueda
III. Himno de Zampoñas
IV. Chasqui
V. Canto de Velorio
VI. Coqueteos
Notable Passages
Description:
Double Stops/ Glissando: A solo violinist recreates the sound of a tarka flute by sliding back and forth between different double-stops in an excited manner!
Tremolo: The string orchestra accompanies the soloist with tremolos. The musicians play repeated notes by moving their bows back and forth as fast as possible!
Range: The string orchestra plays low-pitched tremolo notes. Meanwhile, the violin soloist plays double stops at a very high pitch!
Keywords: Double Stops , Glissando , Range - Texture , Solo and Ensemble , Tremolo - Articulation , Tremolo - Expressive Elements
Description:
Rhythmic Pattern: Each measure has a rhythmic pattern that is unique to its meter!
-8/8 measures have two longer beats followed by one shorter beat.
-Think 123 456 78 or (123) (123) (12)
-7/8 measures have two shorter beats followed by one longer beat.
-Think 12 34 567 or (12) (12) (123)
-3/4 measures have three equal beats.
-Think 12 34 56 or (12) (12) (12)
Gabriela Lena Frank creates a larger rhythmic pattern featuring two measures in 8/8, one measure in 7/8, and one measure in 3/4.
Suggested Activity: Lets learn how to speak Gabriela Lena Frank's larger rhythmic pattern with words!
- Read the numeric descriptions of each beat pattern, above
- Let's replace the numbers with the word "lollipop" for groupings of 3, and "hippo" for groupings of 2. It would sound like this:
"Lollipop Lollipop Hippo,
Lollipop Lollipop Hippo,
Hippo Hippo Lollipop,
Hippo Hippo Hippo!"
- Now, try speaking along with the recording at 0:48-1:13
Mixed Meter: The meter changes in almost every measure, here! Here's the pattern: two measures in 8/8, one measure in 7/8, and one measure in 3/4.
However, unexpected measures of 2/4, 4/4, and 3/4 disrupt this pattern. These changes create an energetic, unpredictable groove!
Keywords: Mixed Meter , Rhythmic Pattern , Rhythmic Pattern - Composition Technique , String Orchestra