The Blending of Cultures - Our Latin Connection

By: David Boothman

September 23, 2023

National National Philharmonic Orchestra of Trinidad & Tobago

There is a sense of romantic alchemy when music moves from its familiar cultural moorings and enters into a wholly new experience of transcendental bliss. Think of the sound of pan (steel-drum) migrating away from its familiar environs and mingling, in textures, with the conventional instruments of a traditional orchestra. Suddenly, the seductive notes of the pan are heard as the blissful sound of rain drizzling, the nuance and subtlety- a world away from the density of sound that we’re used to, now transported to the visual imagination. The alchemy of sound between the conductor, the bandmaster and the musicians rises, unified, to become one. The idea of a Caribbean Renaissance suddenly suggests itself to me and the alchemy onstage has opened Pandora’s box for this writer, releasing in my mind, or is it my heart, the possibilities on our horizon for a Caribbean Renaissance ‘classical’ music.

The concert of which I speak took place last Thursday September 14th at our state of the art concert hall, the National Academy for the performing Arts (NAPA). The particular event was the 61st Anniversary of diplomatic Bilateral Relations Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. The Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, under the auspices of His Excellency Ambassador Álvaro Sánchez Cordero, and the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Trinidad & Tobago produced this magical cultural concert. It was amazing. The musical selection celebrated the close bond of the two countries’ respective cultural heritages. The collaboration between Dr Roger Henry Director, conductor of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of T&T and Ambassador Cordero gave the population an entrée into the music of composers Pablo Herrero and Jose Luis Armeneros, Refael Delgado, Juan Vicente Torrealba and Simon Diaz, all from Venezuela. The Trinidadian contribution, featured compositions by Lionel Belasco, Winston Des Vignes, Kes Dieffenthaller and Roger Henry. The combined music was a feast of songs from a variety of root genres: Castilian, Latin, folk, Calypso and Soca.

The performance was flawless and segued between the different styles and themes, exploring the unbelievably rich, indigenous folk polyrhythms which, ultimately, connected the two cultures. Credit has also to be given all the dedicated hard working musicians and to the University of Trinidad and Tobago UTT Academy of the Performing Arts - APA Percussion Ensemble who were included in the mix.

DR Henry Addresses the Audience

When we describe music as ‘classical’, most assume that it is European. But that is to preempt what is noble as belonging wholly to Europe. Not so! The Caribbean Renaissance thinking debunks this assumption and sees the very notion as part of the intrinsic process of decolonisation. Our imaginations have become too accepting of tutored and learned assumptions, too passive and naive.

The statement suggests that assuming classical music to be exclusively European implies that what is considered noble or culturally refined is inherently European. This assumption is problematic as it disregards the cultural richness and musical achievements of other parts of the world.To counter this assumption, it's essential to adopt a more inclusive and global perspective on classical music/art and cultural achievements. Classical music/art is not exclusive to Europe; other civilisations, such as those in Asia, Africa, and the Americas, also have their own classical traditions, which even predates European classics and are equally deserving of recognition and appreciation.

The Caribbean Renaissance “thinking” emphasises the importance of recognising and celebrating classical music traditions from the Caribbean itself. The region has a rich heritage of classical music influenced by African, Indigenous, East Indian and European cultures, and this legacy should be acknowledged and promoted.

DR Henery recieving Flowers from Ambassador Cordero

In commemorating this important milestone (61years of diplomatic Bilateral Relations between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela), Ambassador Cordero’s introductory presentation was enlightening and riveting. He opened in the most expansive way:

“Today, we all come together to pay tribute to the union, solidarity, integration and cooperation that has existed between both of our countries during the past six decades”. He continued: “In celebrating today in such a grand way, the 61st Anniversary of Bilateral Relations with Trinidad and Tobago. We are confident that our geographical proximity – which has gifted us with such an abundant wealth of human and cultural connection – may indeed pave the way for further integration and cooperation in strategic areas, such as energy, agriculture, transport, trade and commerce and science and technology, where we have incredible potential.”

A diplomat who possesses a deep understanding of history and it’s interconnectedness of human culture - connecting the dots of their predecessors in solidarity of regional integration and decolonisation construct, is an enlightened and caring one.

Ambassador Cordero also reminded the audience that

“Trinidad was key to the achievement of Venezuelan independence in 1811. The Forerunner of our Independence, Francisco De Miranda, found refuge in Trinidad in the first decade of the 19th Century, and it was from Trinidad that De Miranda left for La Vela de Coro in 1806 to hoist our Venezuelan flag for the first time on Venezuelan soil. Equally, the inauguration of our Second Republic in 1813 was planned and organized by Santiago Mariño and the Immortal 45 from Chacachacare Island, here in Trinidad. We are therefore historically indebted to Trinidad and Tobago.

In terms of culture, both Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela have enriched one another through ancestry, heritage and knowledge of each other. In the early 19th Century, Venezuelan cocoa farmers arrived in Trinidad bringing a most important part of our cultural identity with them. Of course, this includes Parang music. Also, towards the end of the 19th Century, Trinidadians migrated to Venezuela to work in the mining industry and they carried with them carnival celebrations and calypso music, especially to the town of El Callao in the state of Bolivar. A cultural event was recently held at NALIS, where Venezuela’s own Calypso Day was celebrated.

As a matter of fact, the Ambassador added:

"in today’s concert, we shall indeed appreciate some of this Trinbagonian and Venezuelan mixture of cultural musicality. It will be remiss of me not to mention the significant contribution by the Venezuelan Institute for Culture and Cooperation (the IVCC), which just celebrated its 60th Anniversary in April of this year; thus, becoming a key reference in terms of cultural enhancement between both of our countries”.

Group Shot  David Boothman, Camille Pagee,Derek Ramsamooj , Cuban Ambassador Olite and Venezuelan Ambassador Sánchez Cordero

For the reader’s information, the writer has added below, a little history of, both, the geographic and historical proximity the two countries:

There is, of course, more to be said in the exploration of our Latin-Caribbean blending of histories, identities and, of course, the day to day realities in the ongoing process of decolonisation.