From the
heart of South America, Alturas brings to life the rich
heritage of the Inca and Aymara Cultures. Colorful native costumes and
unique Andean instruments which are handmade from armadillo shells, llama
skins and various hollow reeds, which makes their presentation both
authentic and entertaining. 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.
Traditional (Andean)
The Bulk of our
repertoire is Bolivian, Peruvian and Ecuatorian 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 also 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.
Latin Rumba, Chacha, Salsa, Merengue. Brazil; Bossnova, Samba. Jazz,
Andean music from Bolivia; “llorando se fue, La lambada”, Peru; “El
Condor pasa”, Ecuador; “San juanitos”, Cuba; “Guantanamera”,
Colombia; Cumbias, Caballo Viejo, Negra Tomasa, Great Classics of
Mexico “La Bamba, Besame Mucho. La Paloma, Historia de Amor”.
International Folk and Classical
We have arranged
several international favorites such as “Malagueña” (Spain); “Meadow
Land, Dark Eyes, Those Were the Days” (Russia); “La Bamba” (Mexico),
and without losing our ethnic identity, we have combined the
Classical world music with our native style of playing by including
classics such as: “Canon in D (Pachelbel), “Concierto de
Aranjuez”(Joaquin Rodrigo), “Ave Maria” (Shubert), Zorba the greek,
Lara’s Theme, Love Story, Hava Nagila Hava, and others.
Contemporary and New Age
Showing their
versatility and innovation, Alturas performs selections of rumba
flamenco “Morea, Inspiration, Volare, Bamboleo, Cotemporary: Fly Me
to the Moon, Autumn Leaves, Moon River, and for the Holidays, Noel,
Silent Night, Jingle Bells, Angels We Have Heard, among others.