Search - Inti-Illimani :: Teoría de Cuerdas

Named after the mountain at La Paz, Bolivia, Inti-Illimani (Inti-E-gee-manee) means Sun of the Illimani, in the Aymara dialect. It is therefore a kind of paradox that the history of Inti-Illimani began underground, in a dark canteen of Santiago's Arts and Trades School of the Technical University of State. It was there in the 1960s that the founding members met and began playing music together. Originally on the path to engineering, they would soon discover that their true destinies lie not in trade, but in the arts. This love of music encouraged their restless souls to explore the indigenous cultures of Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Argentina. In these poorest, purest and ancient cultures, they discovered not only Andean music and therefore their roots, but corners of the world in need of voice... Inti-Illimani's music quickly became Latin America's visceral link between pueblo and people, vivified in Nueva Canción.

Nueva Canción (new song) is not only the name of the early Inti-Illimani recording which propelled them into global recognition and popularity, but is also the name of the socio-political, artistic movement of the 1970s and 80s throughout Latin America, which sought to resurrect and celebrate the traditional folk sounds of Latin culture while delivering messages of social change and revolution. It played a powerful role in the many uprisings against oppressive governments during these times, and many of its messengers faced censorship, exile, forced disappearance and worse. Inti-Illimani was no exception. Following 15 years of exile in Italy they moved home in 1990, coinciding with the official resignation of Pinochet. Warmly welcomed home by the Chilean people, their return was symbolic of the end of a tragic, stifling era.

Known for their open-minded musical approach, Inti-Illimani continues to allow for its own evolution while staying true to its musical roots. Over the past two decades, the Inti legacy has strengthened as some founding members retired, and new members joined. Founder Jorge Coulon remarks: What pleases me about this group today is that the creative risks it is taking are very much in keeping with our history while opening us up to many perspectives, many possibilities.

48 years since its founding, Inti-Illimani continues to tour throughout South and Central America, Europe, Australia and North America. In November 2014 Inti-Illimani released Teoría de Cuerdas, the ensemble's 36th studio album. This album features the accordionist Inti González, the singer-songwriter Raly Barrionuevo, the Ecuadorian musician Max Berrú who was one of the founding members of Inti-Illimani and Isabel Parra, who sings Volver a los 17 (by her mother Violeta Parra) with a new adaptation, all displayed in a gallery of South American rhythms.