Copyright (c) 2026 Cátedra
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
This research aims to study the choral and piano music of Panamanian composer Ricardo Risco Cortés in order to understand its stylistic characteristics, its relationship to the poetic text, and the role of the piano within the choral context. The study was developed using a qualitative approach, supported by documentary review, musical analysis, and the composer’s historical context. As a central part of the research, two representative works from his repertoire were analyzed: La Noche (2013) and La Cantata a Santa María La Antigua (2013). These compositions allowed for the observation of different facets of Risco’s compositional language, ranging from an institutional and accessible choral writing style to a more introspective and experimental approach. The analysis addressed melodic, harmonic, textual, and structural aspects, revealing the recurrent use of harmonies built on fourths and fifths, a clear attention to the prosody of the text, and a vocal writing style influenced by the composer’s experience as a choral director. The research also highlighted Ricardo Risco’s importance within the contemporary Panamanian musical landscape and his contribution to the development of the national choral repertoire. This work seeks to contribute to the systematic study of his work and serve as a reference for performers, choral directors, teachers, and researchers interested in Panamanian choral music.
Este obra está bajo una licencia de Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0 Internacional.
