Isorhythm in Ecuadorian Sanjuanes

     

Isorhythm

•      The sanjuanes of northern highland Ecuador have fascinating structural elements, one of which is the frequent use of isorhythm. 

• Isorhythm is a fixed rhythmic pattern that originated in fourteenth century motets. The rhythmic pattern utilized was usually found in the tenor voice and continued throughout the entire motet.

• An example of isorhythm in Machaut's Messa de Nostra Dame

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/TenMachautKyrie.jpg

• Almost every northern Ecuadorian Quicha sanjuanes contains isorhythm.
• Here are some examples of  Quicha sanjuanes:

                                                                         "Ilumán tiyu"
                                                                                          
                                                                          "Carabuela"

• There are four major elements that we find in these two recordings that are prominent in all Ecuadorian Sanjuanes:

                  1. The frequent use of the sixteenth-eighth-sixteenth note rhythm followed by two eighth notes. This rhythmic pattern is found in nearly all sanjuanes and is vital to the feel of these pieces.

                  2. Symmetry of phrases. The first and second half of  phrases in sanjuanes music are almost always identical or close to identical.

                  3. Eight beat phrases.

                  4.  Variations in pitch patterns within phrases. Although sanjuanes are typically rhythmic symmetrical, the opposite is true for the pitches used. Occasionally the contour of the phrases are symmetrical, but pitches used are not.