With deep joy, framed in the acts of the first Centenary of Totana City, we have experienced major events, linked to the musical tradition of Totana and that, driven by their musical groups, have allowed to rescue two compositions that at the end of the 19th century the musician built Totanero military José María Munuera Villar.
The first of them, entitled Caiphas, after more than 120 years in silence, could be heard performed by the Paretón Musical Group , in a concert that took place on Saturday, March 24.
Among his interpretative repertoire, based on Nazarene pieces, directed by Fernando Molina Navarro, this funeral march took place, wrapped in the intense drama with which it was conceived by its author.
Continuing with this successful commitment, the Musical Group of Totana , directed by Pedro Martínez Sánchez, offered in his traditional concert of Holy Week, last Holy Monday, in addition to the indicated piece, the composition that is entitled The Weeping and to which Munuera Villar, as a work of maturity, impregnated the dramatic tension that surrounds a creation designed to accompany the parades of passion.
A few weeks ago, joining this tribute tribute to Totana and its musical essences, the Orchestra of Our Lady of Sorrows, directed by Luis Ãngel Sánchez, offered the greatness of the chords of another great totanero composer, Juan Miguel Marín.
Munuera Villar was the son of the historian based in Totana, José María Munuera and Abadía.
In this land he was formed musically, culturally and humanly and in it he carried out part of his artistic production.
Recover and enjoy these interesting compositions has been possible thanks to the donation that the heirs of the Munuera family made to the city in 2016, contributing the legacy that they kept from their ancestor, a gesture of nobility, dignity and love to this land in where his elders forged his life.
In the same way, in order to be able to interpret these scores, the generous contribution of the totanero musicologist Jesús Martínez Cánovas and the composer and pianist Juan Miguel Murani, who have carried out the adaptation, revision and updating work, has been indispensable. the heart, with the look put in the affection, respect and veneration to Totana.
Thanks to all of them, as well as to the efforts of the numerous musicians who are part of these projects and who with their involvement show the altruism and the creative musical spirit that returns to our municipality.
It is necessary that these initiatives allow us to continue listening to the recovered pieces and that they encourage the efforts of the specialists in the subject to be able to unravel the rest of the productions that still remain waiting to be rescued.
Juan Cánovas Mulero
Official Chronicler of the City of Totana
