The harpists of Paraguay, Part 11
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 harp was brought from Spain to South America by Jesuits around the year 1700 and developed differently in the South American countries like Mexico, Venezuela and especially Paraguay. Around 1950, the harp in its perfect form was introduced to the West (the Old World) by Paraguay and caused a true revolution. What a beautiful instrument it had become, and so pure in tone. Hundreds of ensembles travelled to Europe, of which the Trío Los Paraguayos became the most famous. All folk music from Paraguay was played with the harp, and it became an indispensable attribute of this music. Yet progress could not be stopped in Paraguay and the harp was in danger of being superseded by the electronic keyboard. This, however, was not to be, and with combined efforts, propaganda, education and annual six-day festivals eventually elevated the harp to the status it finally achieved with the proclamation of 8 June 2010.
In this 11th episode, we ‘cross the border’ to Argentina. Many harpists operate there as well, and some have a great liking for the harp from Paraguay and have even gained world fame. One of them is Ricardo González, and his records have also sold in the Netherlands.
That many harpists from Paraguay were also more to be found abroad (i.e. outside Paraguay) we have already noticed several times in this series. It all started with DIGNO GARCÍA who got married in Belgium and started to live there. For the rest, he was rarely to be found in Paraguay. Others were in Brazil a lot and recorded completely different music like for instance OSVALDO GAONA who made records with the most famous Mexican trio of all time LOS PANCHOS. In short, there is enough music from this musical country that conquered the world around 1950 with its 36-string harp.
1 Gladys Mirtha, polca-instrumental (Estebán López)
DÚO AGUILERA-BRITEZ – Cantares del Paraguay – Asunción A-1000
2 Para tí negrita, polca-instrumental (Juan Almada) – ENRIQUE SAMANIEGO (022) – Esperanza de mi Vida – RCA CAL 3250
3 Ofelia, polca (Ricardo González) – RICARDO GONZÁLEZ (023)
Cascada de Notas – Polydor (doble) 10090
4 Río de adiós, guarania (G. Cuzzeti) – RICARDO GONZÁLEZ
Llovizna de Notas – Odeón SLDB 1062 (1972)
5 Estrellita del Sur, vals (F.C. Rueda) RICARDO GONZÁLEZ
Cascada de Notas – Polydor (doble) 10090
6 Yapeyu porá, chamamé (J. Baudillo González) – RICARDO GONZÁLEZ
Llovizna de Notas – Odeón SLDB 1062 (1972)
7 Variaciones sobre milongas (onbekend) – RICARDO GONZÁLEZ
Llovizna de Notas – Odeón SLDB 1062 (1972)
8 Lágrimas y sonrisas, vals (P. De Cullos) – RICARDO GONZÁLEZ
Llovizna de Notas – Odeón SLDB 1062 (1972)
9 Morena, takirari (A. Pantoja-E. Rayo) – RICARDO GONZÁLEZ
Cascada de Notas – Polydor (doble) 10090
10 Navidad triste, polca (Digno García) – RICARDO GONZÁLEZ
Llovizna de Notas – Odeón SLDB 1062 (1972)
11 Caturi abente, polca (P. Giménez-M. Cardozo Ocampo) – RICARDO GONZÁLEZ – Llovizna de Notas – Odeón SLDB 1062 (1972)
12 Lovizna de notas, galopa (R. González) – RICARDO GONZÁLEZ
Llovizna de Notas – Odeón SLDB 1062 (1972)
13 Quero beijar-te as maos, guarania ((A. de Carvalho-L. Faissal) – OSWALDO GAONA – Harpas Maravilhosas Vol.2 – RGE XRLP 5.0661
14 Pequeña canción, polka-paraguaya (E. Duarte Núñes) – OSWALDO
GAONA – Harpas Maravilhosas Vol.2 – RGE XRLP 5.0661
15 Esperanza mía (Demetrio Ortiz) – OSWALDO GAONA – LOS PANCHOS
Cantan al Paraguay- CBS 8.597
16 Anahí (J.O. Sosa Cordero) – OSWALDO GAONA – LOS PANCHOS
Cantan al Paraguay – CBS 8.597
17 A noitxe do meu bem (onbekend) – OSWALDO GAONA (LOS COMUNEROS DEL PARAGUAY) – Decca DL 74722
18 Morenita de Lambaré (onbekend) – OSWALDO GAONA – (LOS COMUNEROS DEL PARAGUAY) – Decca DL 74722
