Philharmonics, Orchestras, and Choral Groups
- Music
Although not as common or popular, there are still some philharmonic orchestras on several islands of Cape Verde. In colonial days they performed at set times in the squares of the main population centres, where there are still traditional bandstands. They generally appeared on Thursdays and Sundays, starting with the first chords of the Portuguese national anthem, before moving on to more popular and animated styles, such as coladeiras, cumbias, merengues... and of course the odd morna, while the population stood erect, circulated and took the opportunity for leisurely socialisation until late, along the promenade of the square.
On feast days and official occasions, the philharmonic orchestras used to play anthems and military tunes, and give concerts on the bandstands, and they still do.
Cape Verde does not have much tradition of classical orchestras, although there have been concerts by orchestras, generally from Portugal, who have played not just erudite music, but also orchestrations based on the traditional music of Cape Verde. They received an enthusiastic welcome, and this was also the case for various concerts by Tito Paris, who was accompanied by the Metropolitan Orchestra of Lisbon. Along with new programs for musical education by the Ministry of Education, this indicates a new and interesting stage in the evolution of music in the country.
The choral groups are generally linked to churches, which organise important musical activities linked to their services.
Eutrópio Lima da Cruz recently re-formed a polyphonic choir in Praia, which had performed decades before, and which can be a witness and engine to stimulate others, in a country where music can be viewed as the most natural and emerging industry, on a level with tourism…
Although not as common or popular, there are still some philharmonic orchestras on several islands of Cape Verde. In colonial days they performed at set times in the squares of the main population centres, where there are still traditional bandstands. They generally appeared on Thursdays and Sundays, starting with the first chords of the Portuguese national anthem, before moving on to more popular and animated styles, such as coladeiras, cumbias, merengues... and of course the odd morna, while the population stood erect, circulated and took the opportunity for leisurely socialisation until late, along the promenade of the square.
On feast days and official occasions, the philharmonic orchestras used to play anthems and military tunes, and give concerts on the bandstands, and they still do.
Cape Verde does not have much tradition of classical orchestras, although there have been concerts by orchestras, generally from Portugal, who have played not just erudite music, but also orchestrations based on the traditional music of Cape Verde. They received an enthusiastic welcome, and this was also the case for various concerts by Tito Paris, who was accompanied by the Metropolitan Orchestra of Lisbon. Along with new programs for musical education by the Ministry of Education, this indicates a new and interesting stage in the evolution of music in the country.
The choral groups are generally linked to churches, which organise important musical activities linked to their services.
Eutrópio Lima da Cruz recently re-formed a polyphonic choir in Praia, which had performed decades before, and which can be a witness and engine to stimulate others, in a country where music can be viewed as the most natural and emerging industry, on a level with tourism…
