This piece uses a very lush harmonic and melodic language that will appeal to singers and audiences of many ages. The composer set up the harmonies effectively, with phrases often beginning on a unison pitch and then splitting into independent parts. This piece could also be performed in unison.

Composer’s Notes

“Velero de Papel” is one movement from Suite for Children, a set of four songs for children set to poetry by Mexican writers.
The poetry in the Suite for Children has a profound message of universal values—one that will flourish in their lives as something positive for their intellectual and spiritual development. The main idea of this suite is to make these deep concepts of reflection accessible to children, in a way that is musical but also simple.
In terms of form, the children’s suite is conceived with consideration to the following: Technically, the music is melodically simple, striving for a balance between the simplicity and quality of the melodic lines; the melodies are easy for children to learn and remember. Structurally, the music is subject to the nature of the texts, with careful repetition making it easy to memorize without seeming too silly and boring.

– Jesús López Moreno

Text

Velero de papel, velero de papel.
Llévame a pasear contigo
por grandes ríos de miel.
Comienzo a escuchar, palomas
y jilgueros
Cuando viajamos juntos sobre olas de cristal.
Iremos por el Rhin, por el Sena
y por el Ebro
A mí me gustará por el Nilo navegar.
Velero de papel, velero de papel.
Llévame a pasear contigo
por grandes ríos de miel.

—Verónica Murguía

Paper sailboat, paper sailboat
Take me with you
down great rivers of honey.
I begin to hear doves and
goldfinches
As we ride together over waves
of glass.
We shall go down the Rhine,
the Seine, and the Ebro
I should like to sail down
the Nile.
Paper sailboat, paper sailboat
Take me with you
down great rivers of honey.

—Translation by Katie Villaseñor

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