For more information about sacred music in Mexico during the colonial era, visit this web link for more information on colonial composers or browse several newsletters (Volume 1, no.2: Winter, 1995, Volume 4, no.1: Fall, 1997) by the International Hispanic Study Group at Dartmouth College on music in Spain and the Americas during this time period.

Samples of Colonial Religious Music

All samples here (unless otherwise noted) are performed by the Dartmouth College Chamber Singers under the direction of Charles Houmard from a concert given in Rollins Chapel on the Dartmouth Campus in the fall of 1996.

• Xicochi Conetzintle (in Nahuatl) by Gaspar Fernandes, from the Oaxaca Cathedral

Listen to another performances of Xicochi Conetzintle by I Cantori (scroll down a little on the webpage)
(This piece even appears on Linda Ronstadt's Christmas Album!)
• Hanacpachap cussicuinin (in Quechua) circa 1631, by Juan Perez Bocanegra, from Lima:  Geronimo de Contreras

Other performances of Hanacpachap by I Cantori, San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble, or Robert Gass (scroll down a little on the webpages), or listen to a sparse rendition by The Peruvian Musical Corner
• Gloriosa Virginum circa early 1700's by Antonio Salazar, edited by Craig H. Russell from the Puebla Choirbook V, fols. 149v-150
• Aeterna Cristi munera  circa 1600's, by Manuel de Sumaya
• Aufer a Nobis circa 1650, by Francisco Lopez Capillas, from the Mexico City Cathedral

• Ave Maria circa 1560-1611 by Tomas Luis de Victoria
• O Magnum Mysterium circa 1560-1611, by Tomas Luis de Victoria, edited by John Finley Williamson

Sample of "Pre-Columbian" Music

• Grupo Tribu performs at the Museo Nacional in Mexico City, Summer 1996, on instruments modeled after pre-Columbian instruments.  The following sound clips are taken from a very long, unbroken performance.
• Tribu1
• Tribu2
• Tribu3

All images and text in this website are the exclusive property of Cathlyn A. Harris unless otherwise indicated.  Please request permission prior to downloading or citing any of this material.  This material is for the exclusive use of the Hemispheric Institute.  Violators will be prosecuted.