The first movement uses the Quechua hymn, Hanacpachap cussicuinin from a book of prayers published in 1631 in Cuzco, Peru. The second movement uses texts from Afro Cuban ritual music with incantations that have been phonetically transcribed into Spanish. The Interludio is an orchestral interlude without chorus. The 4th movement uses a text from a 1528 poem and another text by Bernal Diaz del Castillo detailing the conquest of the Aztec Empire--Composer's program notes http://americansymphony.org/roberto-sierra-cantares. Commissioned by the Cornell University Glee Club and Cornell University Chorus to celebrate Cornell's sesquicentennial anniversary.
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