Concert Fantasy on “Pajaro Campana”

This concert fantasy is based on the South American folk tune, “Pajaro Campana.” In Latin and South American cultures, this piece is arguably what the harp is known for, as the tradition of playing the Paraguayan harp is rich across practically every country. This staple tune, however, has primarily remained in these Latinx cultures, and remains somewhat unexplored in Western traditions. I was introduced to this piece by my father at a young age, and I learned the basic approaches of how one can play this tune from Alfredo Rolando Ortiz’s book, “Latin American Harps – History, Music, and Techniques.” As I have grown older, I have felt compelled and inspired to bring this tune from my own cultural background and share it with others. The melody is so distinctly lively, and full of the energy that one can find in the colorful cultures of South America.

My approach to putting together this concert fantasy focuses on blending traditional elements of this melody and my own twist on the theme, into a work that showcases all of the harp’s capabilities as a culturally diverse solo instrument. The opening half of the work pulls on what I consider to be the must-haves of the melody and what South American harpists frequently play. The left hand maintains the steady beats, while the right hand imitates the bird’s iconic melody. In a notion to standard harp writing, there is a short cadenza that showcases the harp’s lyrical and virtuosic capabilities. The final section is my own twist on the folk tune, as the melody is transformed over a new tango rhythm.

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