Church of Siresa (Huesca) hosts the roots of Afro-Cuban spiritual music by Ensemble Contratemps

Church of Siresa (Huesca) hosts the roots of Afro-Cuban spiritual music by Ensemble Contratemps

On August 10, at 9:00 PM, the parish church of Siresa will host the 34th edition of the International Festival on the Camino de Santiago. The highlight of the evening will be a performance by Ensemble Contratemps, led by Cuban singer, violagambist, and director Lixsania Fernández.

Ensemble Contratemps is a contemporary Cuban musical group known for blending Afro-Cuban rhythms and culture with modern and traditional sounds. They engage deeply with Afro-Cuban heritage, particularly through dance and percussion, reflecting the island's spiritual and cultural lineage.

Lixsania Fernández is a prominent Cuban singer and multidisciplinary artist recognized for interpreting Afro-Cuban religious music, especially linking cabildos' spiritual traditions with contemporary expressions. Together, Ensemble Contratemps and Lixsania Fernández represent vital continuities and innovations in Afro-Cuban spiritual music.

The performance programme includes a variety of pieces that reflect the group's focus on preserving and evolving the sonic and performative aspects of Afro-Cuban spiritual practices. One such piece is 'Canto a Yemayá', a divinity associated with waters and maternity. The concert programme also includes 'Un pobre portalillo', a popular villancico, and 'L'ameriquaine', by Marin Marais.

Ensemble Contratemps' focus on combining traditional percussion with dance aligns with the historical importance of rhythm and movement in Afro-Cuban spiritual ceremonies. Lixsania Fernández's interpretative singing brings narrative and devotional depth to these traditions, revitalizing the oral and musical expressions of Afro-Cuban spirituality.

The roots of this spiritual music are deeply heterogeneous, and they constitute an inexhaustible source of inspiration. The roots of this music can be traced back to the Yoruba pantheon, with songs dedicated to the orishas being one of the most representative manifestations of this tradition. This cultural exchange did not occur unidirectionally, and rhythms and dances of indigenous origin were widely disseminated throughout the Old World.

Hernando Franco, the master of chapel of the Cathedral of Santiago de Cuba between 1563 and 1564, left an œuvre revealing the interaction between European musical styles and rhythmic elements of African origin. Esteban Salas, a key figure of Cuban Baroque, knew and transcribed works of prominent Renaissance Spanish composers. These historical figures played a significant role in the development of Afro-Cuban spiritual music.

Lixsania Fernández received the Matrícula de Honor at the Superior Conservatory of Music Manuel Castillo de Sevilla and is currently a professor at the Isaac Albéniz Conservatory in Girona and at the Esteban Mazer courses for historical music. Ensemble Contratemps collaborates in the recovery and dissemination of Spanish repertoire and has recorded two discs for the prestigious Dutch label Brilliant Classics.

Ensemble Contratemps and Lixsania Fernández's performance at the 34th International Festival on the Camino de Santiago promises to be a unique celebration of Afro-Cuban spiritual music, showcasing the group's commitment to preserving and evolving this rich cultural heritage.

[1] While direct detailed historical and influence-focused profiles specifically connecting Ensemble Contratemps and Lixsania Fernández to Afro-Cuban spiritual music were not found in the search results, the context suggests their shared cultural and musical heritage rooted in Afro-Cuban religious and cultural practices is significant to their work and impact on the genre.

The performance by Ensemble Contratemps and Lixsania Fernández, rooted in their shared Afro-Cuban heritage, will offer a night of entertainment merging traditional music and dance. This lively fusion will showcase the group's dedication to preserving and advancing the cultural heritage of Afro-Cuban spiritual music.

The afro-centric pieces, such as 'Canto a Yemayá', and the collaborative work with the prestigious Dutch label Brilliant Classics, demonstrate Ensemble Contratemps' role in both preserving and modernizing the vibrant tradition of Afro-Cuban spiritual music.

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