No, the Latin album is not comprised of songs with words in Latin. It is The
Boston Pops' answer to today's proliferation of Latino songs and singers. It
ranges from such classical pieces as Aaron Copeland's "El Salon Mexico" to
popular songs like "Granada." The idea of the album is to include songs
that use native instruments and rhythms. The songs come from Mexico, Peru,
Chile, Brazil, and Argentina. Some are already known to the American public,
some are new.
"Granada" is a well known song, but since it's about a city in Spain what is
it doing on an album of Latin songs? The liner notes explain that the
composer, Augustin Lara, was a Mexican who considered himself in equal parts
Spanish and Mexican. This song is his tribute to that beautiful city of
Granada.
"Perfidia" is music that your ears probably know, even if you, like me, can't
come up with the name of the song. That's because it was used in the film
Casablanca!
If you are a Jose Carreras fan you may be familiar with his rendition of the
cancion (song) "Ay, Ay, Ay." On this album it has been arranged with an
unusual grouping of instruments: Strings, harp and marimba. Another piece
that exemplifies native instruments is "Cumbias." "Cumbias" and "Mi Cambio"
are both examples of the dance rhythms from the border regions of Brazil and
Peru. Both songs have been excellently orchestrated to feature the
distinctive sounds of Andean flutes, pan pipes and the charango - a small
guitar with sounds something like a mandolin.
"El Salon Mexico" and "Jalousie" were inspired when their composers - Aaron
Copeland (American) and Jacob Gade (Danish) - visited Latin America and were
bitten by that infectious bug - the Latin rhythm and sound.
As always, The Boston Pops Orchestra plays nothing but great music, and this
album is no exception. Lovers of the orchestra will want the album and
lovers of Latin music will put it at the top of their Christmas wish lists.
