“Ollantay” by Alberto Ginastera

Alberto Ginastera is a famous Argentinian composer from the 20^th century. His music is full of excitement! He uses the orchestra to its full potential of power. Rhythmic emphasis, dissonant harmony, and influence of Argentinian folk music also characterize his style. His output contained little purely symphonic music but “Ollantay” is one example.

The music for “Ollantay” is based on stories of Mayan myth. The story is the conflict between Ollantay, the son of the Earth, and Inca, the son of the Sun. Eventually, Inca triumphs over and kills Ollantay. Each of the piece’s  three movements is descriptively titled according to the story- “The Countryside of Ollantaytambo,” “The Warriors” and “The Death of Ollantay.”

The first movement begins relaxed and carefree but grows to awe-inspired, as before a sublime landscape. The warriors portrayed in the second movement seem fearsome indeed. The last movement first impresses the notion of brewing war, then returns to the opening carefree tune, but then signals the impending and ultimately arriving doom of Ollantay.

Recordings

Primephonic:

Louisville Orchestra, Jorge Mester, First Edition Music

Spotify:

Louisville Orchestra, Jorge Mester, First Edition Music

YouTube:

BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Gisèle Ben-Dor, Naxos, Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America

(separate videos per movement) (first movement below)

Ollantay, Op. 17: I. Paisaje de Ollantaytambo – YouTube

Bonus

Ginastera’s Dances from the ballet “Estancia,” Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Andrés Orozco-Estrada

Bonus 2

Ginastera’s “Pampeana No. 3,” Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, Sergio Bernal, YouTube channel of “Festival Latinoamericano de Música”