Alturas keeps
delighting audiences time and time again. The mini guitars made of armadillo
shells, musically-tuned reed pipes and hand carved bamboo flutes are among
the instruments that recreate the Pre-Columbian and South American sounds
presented by Alturas. Alturas has enchanted audiences throughout
Western United States, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia, with their
authentic costumes, instruments, and vocals bringing the sounds of South
America to life in the schools, colleges and concert halls.
Feature with Alturas is it’s multi-talented founder, Raúl Ayllón,
a native of La Paz, Bolivia. Ayllon has mastered more than 40 musical
instruments. Those who watch him get amazed at his ability to play native
wind instruments (Quena - bamboo flute, Zampoña - South American pan pipes)
and the skill he plays the “Charango” (small 10-string guitar like
instrument with the shell of an armadillo as the body). Raul has a unique
style when he plays the spanish guitars. Alturas continually adds to its
repertoire of international music and is joyous in sharing their heritage.
Truly this is a performance that will open your eyes, ears and hearts to the
richness and vitality of South American folk music.
The
Bulk of our repertoire is Bolivian and Peruvian folk music,
performed with all native instruments (i.e.. Quena, Zampoña,
Charango, etc.). These songs typify the mystical sound of the Andean
region, like in the well known song "El Condor Pasa" some songs are
sung in Spanish, Quechua and Aymara, which are the languages of the
region.
Traditional (Latin American)
We have included in our
repertoire several of the most popular traditional songs from each
of the countries in Latin America illustrating their unique style
and rhythms and using ethnic instruments of the area.
International Folk and Classical
We have adapted several
international favorites such as: "Malagueña" (Spain); "Meadow Land"
(Russia); "La Bamba" (Mexico), and without loosing our ethnic
identity, we have combined the classical world music with our native
style of playing by including classics such as: "Swan Lake" (Tchaikovsky), "Concert
of Aranjuez"(Rodrigo), "Lambada" (Bolivia), "Samba" (Brazil), etc.
Contemporary and New Age
Showing their
versatility and innovation, Alturas performs selections such as:
Theme from "The Mission", "Chariots of Fire"; as well as many of
their own compositions that reflect the New Age style as: "Como Olvidar", "Wara", "Andean Reed", "Soleado" among others.
