The
Incas were lovers of music. They used a pentatonic scale which
is still in existence today. Instruments such as the reed
quena or flute, the antara or panpipe, the conch shells, the
ocarina and other primitive percussion instruments are still
commonly used. The Incas were also lovers of dance. Popular
folksongs and dances have survived to this day, including
the yarivi, the huayno, the cashua and the marinera.
Peru has, however, also developed its own modern music culture
complete with a world class Symphony Orchestra based out of
the country's capitol, Lima. This orchestra encourages the
development of home grown composing talent by performing the
music of local composers. The most famous Peruvian composer
is Andre Sas, whose compositions are heavily influenced by
the native music.
|
The literature
of Peru got its start when 16th Century Spanish historian
wrote his work, Royal Commentaries of the Incas. Over the
next 100 years writing became very ecclesiastical and poetic.
The 20th Century saw an explosion of poetic and prose talent.
The most prominent were Ventura Garcia Calderon, Jose Carlos
Mariategui, Ciro Alegria and Cesar Vallejo.
In 1568, the first play was performed in
Peru. It was presented in the plaza of San Pedro in Lima.
Today, the leading playhouse is the Municipal Theatre in Lima.
The top modern day playwrights are Salazar Bondy and Enrique
Solari Swayne. The painting of Peru is strongly influenced
by Indian culture. During the 17th Century painting took on
a religious overtone. In the 1930’s a Peruvian movement
in painting had a strong influence. Works emerged that showed
the plight of the native people. In later decades there was
a reaction against this and, from the 1950’s on, abstract
painting came into vogue.
|
The
architecture of Peru is a rich display of the pre-European
Inca monumental ruins, as well as many examples of colonial
buildings – mainly churches and public buildings. Cusco
was once the Inca capital. The city was noted for it’s
wood carvings, sculpture, furniture and paintings. The Creole
style that developed from the 17th Century onwards was a fusion
of Spanish and native Inca styles. In the Andes the Spanish
settlers often built directly on top of the Inca ruins. In
Lima today, many examples of modern architecture can be found.
Cesar Vallejo
20th Century Peruvian Poet
Select poetry (translated to English) |
