Artsource
MUSIC ®
The Music Center’s Study Guide to the Performing Arts
TRANSFORMATION
ENDURING VALUES
ARTISTIC PROCESSES
TRADITIONAL CLASSICAL
1. CREATING (Cr)
CONTEMPORARY
2. PERFORMING, PRESENTING, PRODUCING (Pr)
EXPERIMENTAL
3. RESPONDING (Re)
MULTI-MEDIA
4. CONNECTING (Cn)
THE HUMAN FAMILY
THE POWER OF NATURE
FREEDOM & OPPRESSION
Title of Work:
About the Artwork:
Joropo Azul and Zayante, Paraguayan Folk Harp
The audio selection is really a pairing of two
Creator: Alfredo Rolando Ortiz
contrasting pieces. Joropo Azul and Zayante are two short works, representing traditional styles with both
Background Information:
classical and folk roots from Latin America. The
“I was born in Cuba where the harp is not a traditional
pieces were originally improvised and then become
instrument. My adventure with the harp began when I was
totally new compositions. The first piece, Joropo Azul,
11 years old. Our family emigrated to Venezuela. As the
is in the style of joropo, the national folk dance of
ship neared land, I saw green forms rising up through the
Venezuela.
clouds, and soon the mountains of Venezuela loomed in
composed in the traditional style of Paraguay. Joropo
front of us. As we drove up that mountain there was this
Azul is played in a major key, with very bright tones
beautiful music on the radio. I didn’t know what it was, but
and an upbeat rhythm. The melody sometimes
I fell in love with it.” It was a harp! As a teenager, Alfredo
follows the main beat and sometimes is heard off the
Ortiz borrowed one and began taking lessons from a fellow
beat (syncopated), which gives a complex texture to
student. His interest blossomed into a passion, as he began
the piece. You will hear accented main pulses, and the
to play the harp for hours at a time when schoolwork was
groupings of very short pulses.
done. On weekends he would get blisters from practicing as
Creative Process of the Artist or Culture:
he skipped meals and rest. He pursued the opportunity to
Latin American harps are folk harps. As with folk
hear the famous Paraguayan harpist Alberto Romero and
music around the world, Latin American harp music
met him backstage. Mr. Romero took an interest in the
is usually not written down. The musicians learn by
young boy who was fascinated with the harp, and after he
listening and watching, as well
heard Alfredo play offered to teach him at no charge. After
as memorizing some pieces.
graduation from high school, Alfredo was accepted to med-
Some become proficient at
ical school in Medellin, Colombia. His professional music
improvisation.
Each region
career began shortly after arriving in Medellin, when he
has
characteristic
received his first paid assignment to play at a local wedding. One
structure and design of the
It is set in contrast with Zayante,
of the guests offered him a recording contract. Combined income from performances and recordings paid his way through medical school. In spite of his success as a harpist, Alfredo never missed a class and became a doctor. After five years of medical practice in Colombia, Dr. Ortiz moved to Southern California to study Music Therapy. Since 1978 his life has been wholly dedicated to music.
its
own
harp, as well as unique ways of Photo courtesy of Alfredo Ortiz
playing.
“Nature, my countries, the people I love, and the marvelous Latin American music styles are the seeds of my compositions. The titles only identify them... the melodies, their feelings and emotions are mine... and yours.” Alfredo Rolando Ortiz
California Cuba Venezuela