“Folklore Imaginaire” in Latin America: Arrangements for Cello and Guitar of Three Works Written by Alberto Ginastera and an Original Composition Based on His Compositional Techniques

Abstract

This project, “‘Folklore Imaginaire’ in Latin America,” comprises three creative endeavors and a critical essay that aim to deepen the understanding of Latin American music through research, analysis, the creation of arrangements of three works by Alberto Ginastera, and the composition of a new work for cello and guitar. The selected works for arrangement include Ginastera’s Dos canciones, Op. 3; Cinco canciones populares argentinas, Op. 10; and Pampeana No. 2, Op. 21 for cello and piano. The composition, Impresiones del Dorado, was inspired by Latin American musical elements and Ginastera’s compositional devices. This essay places the work of Ginastera within the broader context of Latin American music and describes compositional elements of Ginastera’s music with regard to avant-garde techniques and the Latin American musical tradition. These same musical elements inspired Impresiones del Dorado. First, this essay highlights the importance of the guitar in Latin America as a bridge between classical and traditional music. Secondly, this essay aids arrangers and composers in writing solo guitar and guitar chamber music. Finally, this essay extols the richness of the guitar repertoire and encourages the promotion of music written for guitar-cello duos in the twenty-first century.