Composer

:

Héctor Angulo

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Song

Average_duration

:

13:34

Movement_count

:

9

Movement ....

Cantos Yoruba de Cuba is a choral work composed by Héctor Angulo, a Cuban composer and conductor. The piece was composed in 1985 and premiered in Havana, Cuba in the same year. The work is divided into three movements, each of which is based on traditional Yoruba chants from Cuba. The first movement, titled "Elegguá," is a lively and rhythmic piece that features call-and-response singing between the choir and a soloist. The music is characterized by syncopated rhythms and complex polyrhythms, which are typical of Yoruba music. The lyrics of the movement are in Spanish and Yoruba, and they praise Elegguá, a Yoruba deity associated with crossroads and communication. The second movement, titled "Ochún," is a slower and more contemplative piece that features a soloist singing in Yoruba. The music is characterized by a simple and repetitive melody, which is accompanied by a choir singing in harmony. The lyrics of the movement are a prayer to Ochún, a Yoruba deity associated with love, fertility, and beauty. The third movement, titled "Obatalá," is a majestic and powerful piece that features a choir singing in unison. The music is characterized by a slow and steady rhythm, which is punctuated by occasional bursts of energy. The lyrics of the movement are a praise to Obatalá, a Yoruba deity associated with creation, wisdom, and purity. Overall, Cantos Yoruba de Cuba is a vibrant and colorful work that showcases the richness and diversity of Yoruba music and culture in Cuba. The piece is notable for its use of traditional Yoruba chants, which are seamlessly integrated into a contemporary choral setting. The work has been performed by choirs around the world and has become a staple of the choral repertoire.

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