Voicing/Instrumentation — SATB mixed chorus and string quartet with optional charango and sikus (panpipes)

Composed — 2023, Lago Vista, Texas

Duration — about 2’

Difficulty 2 (High school)

Language — Aymara

Purchase — Sheet music will be available soon.

ASCAP Licensing — WARI has been registered with ASCAP with the work ID 921268646.

Text — excerpts from the Aymara poem “Uma” (2002) by Pedro Humire Loredo (1935-2020) — used with permission

Aymara:
Suni warillaxa jachañ yatiskatina
Ukham sampar jach’a
ch’aktaya sisina

Spanish translation:
En la puna la vicuña por su cría ha sabido llorar
así de este modo tu llorarías
si a tu amor perdieras

English translation:
On the puna the vicuña knows what it is to cry for its lost baby
In this manner you would cry
if you lost your beloved

IPA pronunciation:
[suni wariyaxa xatʃaiŋ yatiskatina]
[uxam sampar xatʃ’a]​ 
[tʃʼaktaya sisina]​ 

Program note — Commissioned by Panoramic Voices for its “Folk Yeah!” concert October, 21, 2023, Wari for SATB and string quartet with optional charango is written as a lament in the style of a Bolivian yaraví. The text in the indigenous language of Aymara comes from the poem “Uma” written by Chilean poet Pedro Humire Loredo. Wari means vicuña, a native wild camelid species considered to be the ancestor of the domesticated alpaca. The harsh life of the Andes takes its toll on vicuña young, leaving behind grieving vicuña mothers. The Aymara people suffer similar losses and also cry for their lost loved ones. This yaraví lament includes expressive cadenza sections for both violin and cello, traditional key and rhythm, and a choral setting of Humire’s poignant poetry.

About the poet — Pedro Pablo Humire Loredo, born on June 30, 1935 in Socoroma, Arica and Parinacota Region, Chile, was an Aymara poet, folklorist, teacher and activist recognized for his valuable contribution to the indigenous cultural legacy of Chile.

Acknowledgement — Many thanks to Emilio Torres, Mario Parra, Marta de Parra, and the family of Pedro Humire Loredo for their generous assistance!

World premiere
21 Oct 2023 at 7 PM (SOLD OUT)
Jester King — Brewery, Kitchen, Farm & Event Hall — 13187 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin, TX 78736
Panoramic Voices presents “Folk Yeah” with Invoke that includes two world premieres, Wari and Uma, both Andean folk settings in Aymara.

Performances
Please let the composer know if you perform this piece.

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