Caribbean music is as lively and sunny as the nature of these lands and the people who live and create here. During the colonial period, the islands of Greater and Lesser Antilles developed a unique Creole culture, blending features of West African and European (Spanish, French, and British) cultures with local cultures. A wealth of distinctive, colorful musical genres were born here: in Cuba – danconas, sonas, rumba; in Jamaica – mento, ska, and reggae; in Puerto Rico – bomba and plena; in the Dominican Republic – merengue and bachata; and in Trinidad and Tobago – calypso and soca. Percussion instruments of African origin, European melody and harmony, and remnants of local indigenous music form the basis of the traditional music of these cultures. Caribbean music is characterized by inexhaustible energy, multi-layered rhythms with syncopation, and a close connection between music and dance. The song forms are dominated by a question-and-answer structure. Music plays an important role: it is an expression of community identity and resistance.
This Sunday afternoon, we will listen to high-quality records of Caribbean music:
1. Calypso! The Caribbean Calypsonians (~1958-1965). The album features songs from the 1960s in the calypso and reggae genres, recorded by The Caribbean Calypsonians and singers The Souverign, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Lord Wilson.
2. Les Antilles: Ba Moin un Tibo, Doudou. Vol. 2 (The Antilles: Give Me a Kiss, My Darling) (1976). This album features lively songs in the merengue and zouk genres. They were recorded by the ensembles Les Belaissières and Les Doudous de la Grande-Terre, led by Gerhard La Viny.
3. The highlight of the event is the nineteenth album Las Flores de la Vida [Flowers of Life] (Warner Music, 2000) by the famous Cuban singer, composer, and son and dancon performer Compay Segundo (real name Francisco Repilado; 1907-2003), Las Flores de la Vida [Flowers of Life] (Warner Music, 2000). This performer is well known to many listeners from the recordings of the ensemble Buena Vista Social Club and the film of the same name. Compay Segundo recorded this album at the age of 93. What is the secret of his longevity? "Lamb broth and a glass of rum," admits the musician. Alongside other newly composed songs, the album also features the famous Guantanamera.
The musical afternoon will be hosted by musicologist Eirimas Velička. The event will be enriched by live music: we will play the son clavis rhythm on percussion instruments and sing Guantanamera together, accompanied by the ukulele.
The event will be held in Lithuanian.
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Calypso! The Caribbean Calypsonians (Scott Records, S-16; leid. m. nenurodyti, ~1958-1965).
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Les Antilles: Ba Moin un Tibo, Doudou. Vol. 2 [Antilų salos: „Duok man bučkiuką, brangute“]
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Las Flores de la Vida [„Gyvenimo gėlės“] (Warner music, 2000).
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Eirimas Velička
