Five Pieces from Venezuela

• This is a set of five Venezuelan folk songs haromonized by Sojo. Alirio Diaz arranged the set for guitar, and that version was published in 1965. 

Titles¹

1. Cantico. 
2. Aguinaldo. An aguinaldo is usually a central American Christmas carol, traditionally sung by musical groups traveling from house to house, like carolers. “Aguinaldo” is a term for a Christmas gift; in music, an aguinaldo is a musical Christmas gift.² This aguinaldo is entitled “Cantemos, cantemos” (Let us sing). 
3. Canción. This folk song is entitled “Si de noche ves quí brillan” (If by night you see what shines) 
4. Aire Venezolano. This folk song is entitled “Malhaya la cocina” (Curse the kitchen). 
5. Galerón. A galerón is a song or dance genre associated with the Venzuelan festival of the Velorios de Cruz. It is usually accompanied by guitars and maracas.³ This folk song is entitled, “Ave María ¡Que muchacho!” (Hail Mary, What a Boy!) 

1. Graham Wade, liner notes to Guitar Recital, Cecilio Perera, Naxos 8.573025, CD, 2012.
2. John Koegel, “Aguinaldo,” Grove Music Online (October 16, 2013), accessed August 5, 2021, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-1002252736. 
3.  William Gradante, “Galerón,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed August 5, 2021,  https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000010524.