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CD Review
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Cranky Crow World Music, CD Review >>
Hailing from the "New World" or the Americas, San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble (SAVAE) brings us a multiethnic recording, Christmas Music of Colonial Latin America, La Noche Buena (The Good Night). This ambitious project and its 7 musicians explore Christmas music of African slaves, American Indians and their European colonizers. Medieval European vocals appear alongside Aztec, Mayan and African percussion. Songs lyrics reflect various ethnic points of view, but are focused on the Nativity Story. Not to worry though, this recording is not supporting colonialism, but is focusing on a unique musical fusion as well as, some of the earliest holiday music found in the Americas.
"This was an unprecedented time in the history of the world--people from two hemispheres of the globe who had no previous contact with one another were suddenly face to face, says Artistic Director and vocalist Christopher Moroney, "Along with all the brutality, prejudice, injustice and horrors that occurred, a remarkably unique and flourishing creative musical culture developed. Some of this now centuries old music is still so fresh and inventive today that it practically 'jump off' the manuscript pages to any musician who looks at it. It's important not to overlook this part."
The songs Moroney is referring to were composed between 1570 and 1680 by newly converted composers as well as, Spanish and Portuguese chapelmasters to celebrate the Nativity Story; originally performed in New World cathedrals. The songs that appear on this recording were transcribed from cathedral archives by Shiela Raney Baird and Robert Stevenson and arranged by Christopher and Covita Moroney. The Moroney's, a baritone and an alto in the 7-person choir, also perform several Early Music instruments from Europe, Africa and the New World. Not uncommon among small Early Music choirs, all the vocalists in this group, perform double and triple duty. The end result is a gorgeous collection of songs from a bittersweet period of the New World that features Aztec and African percussion, as well as, organ and soprano recorders of Europe.
It's difficult to single out a couple of tracks to represent in this review, but the polyphonic Conception of the Virgin Mary (English spelling) and En Un Portalejo Pobre (in the humble manger) are both angelic songs and enough to send shivers up listeners' spines. Anyone who listens to La Noche Buena is going to wonder why they didn't have holiday music like this when they were children? The music here straddles both the academic and spiritual worlds, while never losing sight of a human need to listen to beautiful, heartfelt music. 11/30/05 >> go there
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