Today marks 30 years since October 1st became official Ecuadorian Corridor Day, through an executive decree signed by Sixto Duran-Ballén, chairman of this then. For good news for lovers of this genre: it was declared on December 14, 2021 Intangible cultural heritage of humanity, by UNESCO.

Hallways to dedicate!: a musical journey to new songs under the genre ‘Nightingale of America’

Due to the sound composition, this genre is seen as pure poetry that takes the listener on a journey full of romance and nostalgia. It is usually sung with guitar and requintois considered a variation on the waltz, whose structure and musical form is composed of a ¾ time signature.

Popular musicians, lagarteros, academic music teachers and singers in training are the main promoters who keep this genre alive, representative of the country’s culture, traditions and identity.

Why is Ecuadorian Corridor Day celebrated on October 1?

This day was chosen as a tribute and memory to Julio Jaramillo, considered the greatest exponent of this music genre. It was through his voice that the Ecuadorian Corridor became popular, not only in Ecuador but throughout America.

Under his impeccable interpretation come musical gems such as Shadows, the soul on the lips, the prayer of forgetfulness, those eyes, among other things.

For this reason, during the celebrations on this date, cultural spaces in the country prepare activities to commemorate the hall and the American Nightingale. Traditional events include the pilgrimage to JJ’s grave, concerts in his honor and lectures.

However, Ecuador has had notable representatives of this genre, such as Olimpo Cardenas, Francisco Paredes Herrera, Jorge Luis Valverde, Enrique Espín Yépez, the Miño Naranjo brothers, Fresia Saavedraamong other things.

The origin of the hall’s name

There are many conjectures about the origin of the name. Some historians claim that it is derived from the tradition of the ‘Pases del Niño’ and Christmas folklore. While, Other research shows that the term comes from the French word “passepied” or “paspiés”, a rhythm brought to America by the Spanish; This would support the theory that the name ‘pasillo’ is derived from the Spanish word ‘paseíllo’, related to a folk festival.

Karaokes, recitals and festivals: learn more about the cultural activities to celebrate Ecuadorian Hall Day

In this way, researchers prefer to think that the name is due to the way it was danced as a couple, with short and fast steps, turning in a three-by-four rhythm. Yes! Until the 1970s, the corridor was a “ballroom dancing”.

A bit of history

Ethnomusicologist Juan Mullo said this in an interview with AFP, that the corridor historically emerges from the process ‘that our liberating struggle has left us’, as it was created in Greater Colombia, which consisted of what is now Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela.

How do you recognize an Ecuadorian gang?

Said in an earlier interview Omar Dominguez, professor of the Ecuadorian Hall Chair at UArtes and director of academic affairs at the Pasillo Ecuatoriano Foundation, explained to this medium that the National Hall has a basic structure of two parts (Part A and Part B), “There are two stanzas and these stanzas alternate with a chorus that is characteristic of the work and is used as an introduction to the work.” Indonesian.

“One of the characteristics of the hall is that it is a very short music genre of 3 minutes”he added.

Naldo Campos Sornoza, composer and teacher of guitar and requinto, said that to identify an Ecuadorian hall you have to pay close attention to the melodies. “The musical size of the hall is three by four, but at a moderate tempo.”

Well, enough of so much theory and enjoying a good Ecuadorian aisle, which does so much good for our ears. (JO)