About the piece
This song has a strong rhythmic drive and is part of the Parranda de San Pedro, a Venezuelan popular and religious festivity celebrated every 29 of June in the towns of Guatire and Guarenas (State of Miranda). The exact origin of this tradition is unknown but the legend tells about a black slave named María Ignacia whose young daughter Rosa became seriously ill. After deep prayers to St. Peter, María was granted a miracle and her little child was cured. The dancing is accompanied by singing, cuatro and maracas. Additional percussion is provided by hitting the ground with a strong piece of animal leather (‘cotiza’) which is attached to the feet of the dancers. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the festivity a Cultural World Heritage in 2013.
 
Listen to the piece: https://youtu.be/g-F0gBRDsN0
 
"The 'Siete Canciones Populares' by Manuel de Falla and the 'Canciones Catalanas' by Miguel Llobet set a level of achievement very difficult to be surpassed by composers and arrangers for the guitar. I can assure that Luis Zea's harmonizations of Venezuelan popular songs rise to a very high artistic level indeed, going far beyond the trivial versions to which we have sadly accustomed ourselves. It is undoubtedly a pleasure to play Luis Zea's harmonizations of Venezuelan popular songs. You will not be disappointed.”
 
Leo Brouwer
Composer, Guitarist and Conductor (Spain, 1996)