My work Ritual de la terra has been awarded the 1st prize in the ARA I SEMPRE popular and traditional music competition, in the category of Ball de Pastorets and Ball de Panderos. It is a Ball de Pastorets music written for a cobla de tres quartans (flabiol, sac de gemec, and tarota).
Ritual de la terra (Ritual of the earth)
The music of this Ball de Pastorets is inspired by a pagan agricultural ritual. It has a slow and ceremonial first section and a more active second one. I chose the flabiol, sac de gemec, and tarota because the Ball de Pastorets is usually accompanied by a mitja cobla or cobla de tres quartans. The flabiol and sac de gemecs play the same voice, and the drones provide stability and harmony. The tarota creates the countermelody, and the percussion sets the rhythm.
The bourdones in fifths of the sac de gemecs inspired me to create this music as they remind me of ancient and rural music. This idea also fits with the Ball de Pastorets and the dances and rituals they performed in the past.
Verdict of the 1st ARA I SEMPRE Popular and Traditional Music Competition
The awarded works in the different categories are the following ones:
Category: Ball de Pastorets and Ball de Panderos
- 1st Prize: Ritual de la terra by Jan Corberó Forn
- 2nd Prize: Gorgs by Sergi Masalias Jaime
Category: Ball de Bastons and Ball d’Espases
- 1st Prize: A la romana by Sergi Masalias Jaime
- 2n Prize: La roda de molí by Gerard Gimenez Manrique
- Honorable Mention: L’INTRÈPID by Isidor Vázquez Martín
Catalan National Gathering of Ball de Pastorets
The award verdict was announced within the framework of the Catalan National Gathering of Ball de Pastorets held in Montserrat as part of the millennium commemoration events. It has been an event that brought together 14 groups from across the region:
- Ball de Pastorets de les Corts
- Ball de Pastorets de Torredembarra
- Ball de Pastorets de l’Arboç
- Ball de Pastorets de Reus
- Ball de Pastorets de Ribes
- Ball de Pastorets de Vilafranca del Penedès
- Ball de Pastorets de Cubelles
- Ball de Pastorets de Valls
- Ball de Pastorets del Vendrell
- Pastoretes de Sant Sadurní
- Ball de Cireraires de Sant Climent de Llobregat
- Ball de Pastorets de Cunit
- Ball de Pastorets d’Igualada
- Ball de Pastorets de Barberà del Vallès, the organisers
The day began with the creation of a Ball de Pastorets carpet in front of the basilica. At 9:30 a.m., the groups started the parade from the Plaça dels Apòstols to the Basilica. The streets were filled with music, colors, and joy. The public was able to appreciate the different groups from across the region and the diversity of costumes and choreographies.
After a shared breakfast that served to recover energy and strengthen bonds among the groups, an exhibition dedicated to the Ball de Pastorets was inaugurated—a space to admire the history and evolution of this tradition.
At 12:15 p.m., the static dance began in front of the Basilica. Each group showcased their own brilliance with unique choreographies.
Finally, a collective simultaneous dance took place, symbolizing the unity of all the Ball de Pastorets groups.
Information from the Ara i Sempre web: