Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout VI. Coqueteos

Gabriela Lena Frank
Piece Duration: 3:20

About this Piece

(Movement VI is 16:16-19:36)

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.

'Coqueteos' is a flirtatious love song sung by gallant men known as romanceros. As such, it is direct in its harmonic expression, bold, and festive. The romanceros sing in harmony with one another against a backdrop of guitars which I think of as a vendaval de guitarras ('storm of guitars')." -Gabriela Lena Frank

You can listen to La Romanceros Crillos at this link!

Throughout this movement, Tremolos and Glissandos recreate the sound of a vendaval de guitarras (a choir of guitars)!

"Leyendas" Movements Featured:
II. Tarqueda
III. Himno de Zampoñas
IV. Chasqui
V. Canto de Velorio
VI. Coqueteos

Notable Passages

Time Stamp: 16:15 — 17:15
Description:

The first and second violins begin with a melody in parallel thirds, mimicking the sound of romanceros!


Keywords: Interval - Harmonic , Parallel Motion

Time Stamp: 17:10 — 17:52
Description:

After an energetic introduction, the music settles into a grooving compound meter, with sixth eighth notes in a bar! 

Can you conduct along with the music, using a two-beat pattern?


Keywords: Compound Meter , Duple Meter

Time Stamp: 18:13 — 19:00
Description:

The lower strings get a chance to be the romancero singers, now! The high strings strum full pizzicato chords above.

The high-range and low-range instruments switch roles throughout this section!

  • Split the room in half, one side listening for high range, and the other side listening for low range.
  • Listen to the Notable Passage, and raise your hand when your assigned section has the romancero melody!
  • Listen to the Notable Passage again, and raise your hand when your assigned section has pizzicato or accompaniment!

Keywords: Pizzicato , Range - Melody , Range - Texture

Time Stamp: 19:00 — 19:38
Description:

In the fiery closing of this movement, the full range of the string orchestra is used!

  • High Range: The first violins play a high melody
  • Mid Range: The second violins and violas play glissandi and tremolos
  • Low Range: The low strings play steady eighth notes in compound meter

Keywords: Glissando , Range - Composition Technique , Range - Expressive Elements , Range - Texture , Tremolo - Articulation , Tremolo - Expressive Elements

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