On Feb. 14, the vihuela (an early Spanish instrument related to both the lute and guitar) and voice duo Alvarado & Abramovich will bring history to life in The Huehuetenango Songbook, a concert that bridges the gap between historical research and contemporary audiences.
Deep in the archives of the Latin American Music Library at Indiana University lies a remarkable 15-volume collection of polyphonic music and Gregorian chant. Compiled between 1582 and 1635 in the remote Department of Huehuetenango, northern Guatemala, these manuscripts reveal a vibrant musical culture that flourished far from colonial centres. With over 350 works, the collection offers invaluable insight into how European music was embraced, transformed, and reinterpreted by indigenous musicians in the Americas.
A Unique Collection
The manuscripts feature a remarkable repertoire, containing compositions that were popular in Spain, France, and Italy during the mid-sixteenth century, including Masses by renowned Spanish composers Ceballos and Morales, Parisian chansons, and Florentine madrigals. Additionally, the collection preserves vernacular works by Tomás Pascual, the first known indigenous composer from the region. Scattered throughout are villancicos and Spanish motets, reflecting a blend of sacred and secular traditions. This rich diversity of styles highlights the complex artistic exchanges between European and native musical traditions.
Rethinking the Archive
While often regarded as a collection of imported European works, these manuscripts reveal much more than simple replication. They provide evidence of indigenous creativity and adaptation, demonstrating how local musicians engaged with and reshaped European musical forms to fit their own cultural and liturgical contexts. By acknowledging these contributions, we gain a more complete understanding of the musical world of colonial Latin America — one in which native musicians played an active and sophisticated role.
Bringing the Music to Life
These historic works are gaining renewed attention through performance and scholarship. Alvarado & Abramovich will bring selections from the Huehuetenango manuscripts to life, offering a rare chance to experience this music firsthand. This is certainly a rare opportunity to hear these works performed in Calgary.
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Presented by Calgary's Early Music Voices, The Huehuetenango Songbook takes place on Friday, Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church Elbow Park (3602 8 Street SW, Calgary).
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