Amautafor baritone and piano by JimmyLopez.
Dedicated toEnrique Iturriaga.
Programme Notes
Back in 1995, when I was a 16-year-old high schoolerand aspiring composer, I was admitted to thecounterpoint class of Enrique Iturriaga at the BlaBartok Institute in Lima, Peru. I only lasted a fewweeks. I rebelled against the seemingly endless amount of rules to which two simple melodic lines wereincessantly being subjected, and I would often knowingly break the rules, only to get humorously reprimanded by Enrique and, as a result, embarrassedin front of my fellow pupils. I came to the conclusionthat I was too good for that class, continued ignoringthe rules, and searched for a new teacher. A couple ofyears later, I was begging Enrique to take me back asa private student.
Enrique Iturriaga is one of the greatest musical personalities in the history of Peru. One of South Americas foremost composers, he is also rememberedfor teaching several generations of musicians andnon-musicians from all backgrounds and walks of life.His good-humored demeanor, passion for music andlove for teaching touched countless lives; I was one ofthem. I met this patriarch when he was 77 years old,and had the once-in-a-lifetime privilege to have him as my composition teacher.
At the time of his passing I was very close to completing this song,which was intended to be premiered at a private eventfor his 102nd birthday in 2020. He wont get to listen toit with his ears, but I am hopeful that it will reach hissoul. This song, for which I wrote the lyrics myself, isan outpouring of love, appreciation and respect for allhe did for me personally, and for many others whom hetouched during his wonderfully long and blessed life.May it stand as an homage to the man who, like noother, encapsulates the meaning of the Quechua wordAmauta: master, teacher, the wise one. May you rest inpeace, beloved Enrique.
- Jimmy Lopez
Duration: c.8 minutes
