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Title	Ancestral roots  NEW!
Article no.	4123029
Category	Concert/wind/brass band
Subcategory	Contemporary Wind Music (1945-present)
Instrumentation	Ha (concert/wind band)
Format	PrtStm (full score and parts)
Country of publication	Belgium (be)
Publisher *	HAFABRA Music Louis Martinus
Publisher's article no. *	HFB 952
Year of publication	2025
Price	click here
Composer	Silva, Ricardo
Difficulty level	5
Duration	12:30
Additional info/contents	Ricardo Silva's composition "Raízes Ancestrais" for symphonic wind orchestra translates the Afro-Brazilian tradition of Jongo—a rhythmic, dance-like, and spiritual form of expression—into a contemporary musical language. Rooted in Bantu cultures, Jongo represents resistance, collective memory, and the connection to ancestors. Silva employs polyrhythmic ostinatos, percussive energy, and pentatonic melodies to musically evoke the ritual power of Jongo. Woodwind and brass instruments imitate vocal melodies and call-and-response structures, while dynamic contrasts reflect the emotions of mourning, struggle, and celebration. The composition thus becomes a tribute to the cultural resilience of Afro-Brazilian communities. (© musicainfo.net)
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Programme notes *: Ancestral Roots in Ricardo Silva's "Raízes Ancestrais" – A Musical Narrative of Memory and Resistance The term "Ancestral Roots" describes the cultural, spiritual, and historical connections to our ancestors that live on in music, dance, and collective memory. In Ricardo Silva's composition "Raízes Ancestrais," this concept becomes the sonic and structural foundation. The work translates the Afro-Brazilian tradition of Jongo into a contemporary musical language for wind orchestra. Silva, a Brazilian composer specializing in original repertoire for symphonic wind orchestras, combines traditional rhythms with symphonic depth to create a musical narrative of memory, resistance, and collective identity. • Jongo as a Cultural and Musical Foundation Jongo is more than a musical style: it is a symbol of resistance, communication, and a spiritual connection to our ancestors. Originating in the southeastern regions of Brazil, particularly in the "Pequena África" ​​of Rio de Janeiro, Jongo combines elements of dance, song, percussion, and oral tradition. Its rhythms, often characterized by atabaques and ganzá, carry the stories of the enslaved, their struggles, and their joy. In "Raízes Ancestrais," Ricardo Silva utilizes this rhythmic essence as a structural framework. Ostinatos, percussive energy, and expressive melodic lines evoke the ritual circles of Jongo, where community, memory, and spiritual power are central. The composition thus becomes a tribute to the collective strength of Afro-Brazilian communities who preserved their culture despite oppression. • Musical realization: Rhythm, timbre, and narrative - Rhythm as a structural element: Silva translates the polyrhythmic structures of Jongo into the instrumentation of the wind orchestra. The use of ostinatos in the percussion instruments creates a pulsating, almost hypnotic foundation reminiscent of the drum circles of the Jongo. These rhythms are not merely accompaniment, but rather supporting pillars of the narrative—symbolizing the unbroken heartbeat of the ancestors. - Percussive energy and timbre: The instrumentation plays a central role: Woodwinds imitate the vocal melodies of the Jongo with fast, articulate passages, while brass instruments underscore the shouting quality of the tradition with powerful accents. The dynamic contrasts—from delicate, almost meditative passages to explosive tutti—reflect the emotions of the Jongo: sorrow, fighting spirit, and celebration. - Melodic lines: Memory and resistance - The melodic themes in "Raízes Ancestrais" are often pentatonic, recalling the African roots of the Jongo. Through call-and-response structures between the instrumental groups, a dialogue emerges that draws on the oral tradition of the Jongo. These melodic gestures resonate like ancestral voices echoing through the centuries. • Thematic Depth: Collective Memory and Identity “Raízes Ancestrais” is not merely a musical adaptation, but a reflection on cultural continuity. For the Afro-Brazilian community, the Jongo was a space of freedom—a place where stories were told, pain shared, and resistance lived. Silva translates this social and spiritual dimension into sound: - Memory: The recurring rhythms and melodies act like a musical archive, preserving the stories of the ancestors. - Resistance: The powerful tutti passages and syncopated rhythms symbolize the struggle for recognition and the preservation of one's own identity. - Celebration: The vibrant, dance-like sections celebrate the vitality of the Jongo communities – a triumph over oppression. • Ricardo Silva's "Raízes Ancestrais" demonstrates how traditional culture remains alive in contemporary music. By combining Jongo rhythms, symphonic depth, and expressive instrumentation, the work creates a sonic narrative that connects listeners to the roots of the Afro-Brazilian community. It is an invitation to hear the voices of the ancestors – not as relics of the past, but as a living force that continues to foster identity, resilience, and joy. For conductors and musicians, the piece thus offers not only a technical challenge but also the opportunity to forge a profound connection through music to one of Brazil's most formative cultural traditions. • Text: © musicainfo.net (KI) Quellen/Sources: HaFaBra Music: Ancestral roots

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	Format
	Ancestral roots (concert/wind band), full score and parts
	Ancestral roots (concert/wind band), full score
	Cheval de feu, audio CD

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