The Harpists of Paraguay part 10
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.
This 10th episode is dedicated to the harp virtuoso and composer Enrique Samaniego. The compiler of this programme first got to know this harp player through his friend Joop. Joop worked on the high seas and visited Paraguay regularly. There he often visited music performances in Asunción, where the trio Los Tres Del Paraguay often performed. Thus, they got acquainted and developed a certain friendship. The records came to the Netherlands, and we are now able to make this programme from them. Samaniego, born in 1934, started playing the harp at an early age, and one of his first achievements was the group Amerindia from 1956. This breeding ground produced many famous artists, such as the singer-guitarist Rubito Medina, member of the trio Los Paraguayos led by Luís Alberto del Paraná. When the singer Juan Buena Mora founded a trio under the name Los Tres Del Paraguay in 1964, Enrique Samaniego became the harpist. In 1969, an LP was released with one of the few female harpists: María Cristina Gómez. When Juan B. Mora left the trio, the trio continued with Enrique’s brother and his regular singer-guitarist Tito Ávalos. Later, Juan B. Mora returned to the trio. For this programme, we have made a selection from the various LPs (as many as 26).
Playlist:
1 Coty-mí, polca-instrumental – Enrique Samaniego [22] (F.P.C.) – Los Tres del Paraguay – Viaje Musical con… – RCA Victor AVLP 3917
2 Nde rendape ayú (Vengo junto a tí), guarania (M.Ortiz Guerrero-J.A.Flores) – Viaje Musical con… – RCA Victor AVLP 3917
3 Paso yoval, polka-paraguaya (Enrique Samaniego) – Conj. Folklórico Paraguayo Amerindia – Antar PLP 5004
4 Grito del pueblo, canción-guaraní (F.P.Cardozo-V.Montorfano) – Conjunto Folklórico Paraguayo Amerindia – Antar PLP 5004
5 Lágrimas de madre, polka-paraguaya-instr.) (Enrique Samaniego) – Conj. Folklórico Paraguayo Amerindia – Antar PLP 5004
6 Despertar de mi Aldea, polca-instrumental (Enrique Samaniego) – Los Tres del Paraguay – RCA Camden CAL 3085
7 Recuerdos del Paraguay, guarania (Ben Molar-Demetrio Ortiz) – Los Tres del Paraguay – RCA Camden CAL 3085
8 Villa Pastoreo, polca-instrumental (Enrique Samaniego) – Los Tres del Paraguay – RCA Camden CAL 3085
9 Tus oyuelos (Nde-raty pycuá), guarania (Félix Fernández-José A.Flores) – Los Tres del Paraguay – RCA Camden CAL 3085
10 Mi Reina (Che la Reina), polca (F.P.Cardozo-E.R.Fernández) – Los Tres del Paraguay – RCA Camden CAL 3085
11 El boyerito, polca-paraguaya – María Cristina Gómez & Enrique Samaniego
(Enrique Samaniego) – Arpegios Guaraníes – Guarania 305
12 Guavira poty, guarania – María Cristina Gómez & Enrique Samaniego
(E.R.Fernández-M.Cardozo Ocampo) – Arpegios Guaraníes – Guarania 305
13 Piririta, polca-paraguaya – María Cristina Gómez & Enrique Samaniego
(Alejandro Villamayor) – Arpegios Guaraníes – Guarania 305
14 Ycuá rape (Félix Pérez Cardozo) – Enrique Samaniego – Elio FEV 427
15 Canto al Paraguay, polca – Los Tres del Paraguay (E.Cardozo-AltinierDe Los Ríos) – La Verdad de tu Amor – RCA Camden CAL 3216
16 Mi palmera del mar, guarania – Los Tres del Paraguay
(Tito Avalos) – La Verdad de tu Amor – RCA Camden CAL 3216
17 A mi Madrecita (che sy mi), polca-instrumental (Enrique Samaniego) – La Verdad de tu Amor – RCA Camden CAL 3216
18 Che Maiteí (Mi augurio), polca – Los Tres del Paraguay
(J.C.del Paraguay-M.D.Ferreyra) – Esperanza de mi Vida – RCA CAL 3250
19 Estrella morena, guarania – Los Tres del Paraguay
(Tito Avalos-Alexis Cascopane) – Esperanza de mi Vida – RCA CAL 3250
20 Para tí negrita, polca-instrumental – Los Tres del Paraguay
(Juan Almada) – Esperanza de mi Vida – RCA CAL 3250
Reserve: María Elsa, polca-instrumental – Los Tres del Paraguay
(Félix Pérez Cardozo) – Viaje Musical con… – RCA Victor AVLP 3917
