Welcome to our third volume of Bolivian Baroque music which was, unusually, recorded in three different venues, in two different countries almost 6250 miles apart. This time the majority of the CD was recorded in Holland (in both the Waalse Kerk in Amsterdam and the Doopsgezinde Kerk in Deventer) during Arakaendar Bolivia Choirs first tour of Europe with Florilegium in 2008. In addition we have included a number of solo organ pieces from the Bolivian archives which James Johnstone recorded on the restored anonymous 18th century Blockwerk organ in the Mission Church of Santa Ana de Velasco. This is the first European recording on this remarkable instrument, its raw sound recorded here for posterity.
The music on this volume differs considerably from the other two Channel Classics recordings (CCS 22105 & CCS 24806) as it mainly showcases Arakaendar Bolivia, the choir I set up in 2005. They continue to thrive and have shown tremendous commitment and determination in preparing this challenging and varied programme. We were delighted to be nominated by BBC Music Magazine for the best choir recording of 2008 for our last CD recording, as well as receiving our 5th Editors Choice from Gramophone magazine. I hope this new volume is received as warmly.
As with our first two volumes we have an additional piece which has little to do with the archives in Bolivia. Instead this charming arrangement by Luis Craff of a popular Bolivian folk song Naranjitay (little orange) is offered as an encore with one of the tenors from the choir, Daniel Aguilar, accompanying the choir on his charango.
Each recording project in Bolivia has been an adventure and this one was no exception. James and I flew out to Bolivia ahead of Florilegiums trip to take part in the VI Festival Internacional de Muisica Renacentista y Barroca Americana Missiones de Chiquitos in April 2008. From there we embarked on a 22 hour journey by 4-wheel jeep into the Amazonian jungle and arrived in the Mission Church of Santa Ana in the east of the country. Several years ago I had been told about this unique organ, restored in 2000, and having seen photos was keen to include some of the rich repertoire for organ from the archives on this new recording. We borrowed equipment from a Bolivian sound engineer who came with us to help with the recording and after the local organist had finished his daily practise (!) James had a little time to get acquainted with the organ before we started to record. It was important to include some music recorded in Bolivia on this disc and I am delighted we were able to achieve this.


a lively, nicely varied sequence, mostly of works showcasing Solomon's excellent Arakaender choir The Guardian, 15th January 2010 ****


Domenico Zipoli Toccata in d minor

Toms de Torrejn y Velasco Missa Octavo Tono

Anon Sonata Chiquitana No.IV AMCh 264 (So 18)

Allegro, Andante, Minuete

Domenico Zipoli AllOffertorio

Roque Jacinto de Chavarra Fuera, Fuera! Haganles lugar!

Anon Siempre Piano from Sonata XIV in G major

Domenico Zipoli Canzona in g minor

Juan de Araujo Al Llanto mas tierno

Anon Aires me hielan al Nio

Diego Casseda Silencio, no chiste el aire

Anon Sonata AMCh 399 in a minor

Juan de Araujo Oh que bien se suspenden los Cielos

Sebastin Duron Al comps airecillos

Anon Salve a 8

Encore: Anon Naranjitay - Huaio (Traditional folk tune) arranged by Luis Craff