The Harpists of PARAGUAY, part 9
On 8 June 2010, the then President of Paraguay, Fernando Lugo Méndez, officially proclaimed the harp of Paraguay as “The Symbol of the Musical Culture of Paraguay”. The Jesuits brought the harp from Spain to South America around 1700, and the playing style developed differently in South American countries like Mexico, Venezuela and especially in Paraguay. Around 1950, Paraguay introduced the harp to the West in its perfect form, which caused a true revolution. What a beautiful instrument it had become and so pure in tone. Hundreds of ensembles travelled to Europe, among whom the Trío Los Paraguayos became the most famous. All folk music from Paraguay was played on the harp, and it became an indispensable attribute of this music. Yet, progress was inevitable in Paraguay, and the harp was in danger of being replaced by the electronic keyboard. However, they could not let this happen, and with united efforts, propaganda, education and festivals, the harp was eventually upgraded to the status it achieved with the proclamation of 8 June 2010.
In this part 9, we focus on Cristino Báez Monges. The harpist with “Los manos brujas”, or the man with the devilish hands. In Dutch, we would say: “The man with the golden hands” (which sounds a lot friendlier). He was born in the same place where Félix Pérez Cardozo was born, (Hya’ty) which was later renamed Félix Pérez Cardozo forever. That sounds promising!
Next is Papi Galán, whose real name is Adolfo Bernal. Although he spent his whole life in the service of the harp from Paraguay, he was mostly “abroad”. Firstly, he spent 10 years in Brazil, then 20 years all over the “Old World”, so that is why you will find most of the information about him abroad (e.g. Portugal). Many records including Christmas records and performances at the Festivals in Paraguay that take place annually and last 6 days until now. At this year’s festival, for example, the youth orchestra he founded will be playing. Teaching and composing orchestras, it’s all part of the job.
Playlist :
1) Danza guaireña, danza-paraguaya (C.Báez Monges) – Cristino Báez Monges [020] – Cubalegre (EP) CEP 1542
2) La canción del Mimby, guarania (E.B.Cáceres-Valdy) – Cristino Báez Monges – Felicidades – Odeón SLDB 1053 (1971)
3) Pérez caminos, polca-instrumental (C.Báez Monges) – Cristino Báez Monges – Canto al Paraguay – Odeón 51015 (1972)
4) India, guarania (J.Asunción Flores-M.O.Guerrero) – Cristino Báez Monges -Canto al Paraguay – Odeón 51015 (1972)
5) Cantar del viento, polca-instrumental (C. Báez Monges) – Cristino Báez Monges – Felicidades – Odeón SLDB 1053 (1971)
6) Tus mentiras de amor, guarania (-) – Cristino Báez Monges – Felicidades – Odeón SLDB 1053 (1971)
7) Che vallemí, Hya’ty, polca-instr. (Cristino Báez Monges)
8) Mía, (Lucia Shiomitsu) – Cristino Báez Monges
9) Mitacuña yuki eté, polka-paraguaya (D.Ortiz-C.Báez Monges) – Cubalegre (EP) CEP 1542
10) A mi madre (Cristina) (Joly Sánches) – Papi Galán [021] – Torbellino de Notas – Disc Jockey EST 10.042
11) Álamos del viento (Lucia Shiomitsuk) -Papi Galán
12) A mi pueblito lejano (Papi Meza-Hilarión Correa) – +ML+ LP 608 (1972)
13) Techaga-u (Añoranza) (P.Cardozo-Ocampo) – Papi Galán (Julio Brizuela, flauta) – Trío Veracruz (1973)
14) Jingle Bells (D. P.) – Papi Galán – A Harpa e o Natal – Continental PPL 12.378 (1968)
15) Natal das Crianças (Blecaute) – Papi Galán – A Harpa e o Natal – Continental PPL 12.378 (1968)
16) Firma nas promessas (-) – Papi Galán – Harpa Crista – 1965 – JFLP-5003
17) Anyie, El sueño de Marienito (Papi Galán) – Papi Galán – `Primer Festival Mundial del Arpa en Paraguay’, Asunción Paraguay 2007
18) El Arpa y la danza de mi Tierra (Oscar N. Safuán-Luís Bordón) – Papi Galán – `Primer Festival Mundial del Arpa en Paraguay’, Asunción Paraguay 2007
19) Caballito andador (Luís Bordón) – Papi Galán – Torbellino de Notas – Disc Jockey EST 10.042
20) Volando sobre el Paraguay (Voando sobre o Paraguay) (Mauro da Costa Lima) – Galán, Papi – Torbellino de Notas – Disc Jockey EST 10.042
