This CD is among the very few recordings of the complete musical works of the Codex Trujillo del Perú (1780–1790), as compiled by the Spanish Bishop Martínez Compañón.

The variety of the twenty pieces recorded by the bishop reflects the area’s cultural wealth, itself the fruit of the mixes between distinct racial groups. It also reveals the state of music at a key historical moment, prior to the disintegration of colonial society.

The pieces are an exciting blend of Spanish colonial baroque music and indigenous (i.e. Indian and African) sounds and rhythms. It is the only example of a full, coherent set of popular Latin American music being transcribed in this period.

The Codex Trujillo del Perú was meant as a ‘country report’ to inform the Spanish Court about the true state of affairs in the diocese. Its nine volumes contain over 1,400 watercolours depicting daily life, flora and fauna. To browse one’s way through this wondrous period document is, as it were, to watch a documentary film about colonial society.

Before we reach the musical scores, there are watercolours of dancers and musicians with all their costumes, attributes and masks. The scores indicate the desired tempo and instruments for each work, conveying the fine points of its origin and giving guidance for its interpretation.

Música Temprana was founded in 2001 by the Dutch-Argentinian old music specialist Adrián Rodríguez Van der Spoel. All transcriptions have been made by Adrián Rodríguez Van der Spoel. Van der Spoel is also the author of a comprehensive study on the music of the Codex Trujillo del Perú, being published in Spanish and English.

The album includes liner notes and lyrics in English and Spanish.

Track Listing:
1. Tonada La Brugita
2. Cachua al Nacimiento “Niño il mijor”
3. Tonada La Donosa
4. Lanchas para Baylar
5. Tonada La Lata
6. Tonada El Congo
7. Cachua La Despedida
8. Tonada El Conejo
9. Bayle del Chimo
10. Tonada El Diamante /Tonada el Tuppamaro
11. Tonada El Tupamaro
12. Tonada del Chimo
13. Bayle de danzantes
14. Tonada El Huicho
15. Tonada La Selosa
16. Cachua Serranita El Huicho Nuebo
17. Tonadilla El Palomo
18. Cachuyta de la Montaña El Vuen querer
19. Cachua al Nacimiento “Dennos lecencia”