Degree

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)

Department

School of Music

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

This monograph presents a musical analysis of three choral works by Puerto Rican composer Ángel “Cucco” Peña: Negra Majestad, Bomba E, and Aleluya Criollo. Although Peña is widely recognized for his contributions to popular music and production, these pieces highlight a lesser-known side of his creative output in the choral realm. Each work draws from traditional Puerto Rican genres—bomba, plena, and aguinaldo—while incorporating modern compositional techniques that reflect Peña’s eclectic style and his engagement with both popular and classical traditions.

The study situates these pieces within their historical and cultural contexts, particularly the African diaspora’s influence on Puerto Rican identity. Through a combination of harmonic and rhythmic analysis, text study, and interpretive insights from interviews with the composer, this research examines how Peña adapts Afro-Puerto Rican idioms into a choral language. Key features identified include the integration of rhythmic units characteristic of bomba and plena, instrumental onomatopoeia in the vocal lines, and idiomatic writing that imitates the textures of traditional Puerto Rican ensembles. His harmonic language blends tonal and modal approaches, frequently incorporating chromatic modulations, jazz sonorities, and rich divisi textures while preserving melodic clarity and tonal centers.

Findings suggest that Peña’s choral works function not only as artistic compositions but also as cultural artifacts, encapsulating Puerto Rico’s layered traditions and its ongoing dialogue with global musical practices.

Date

10-31-2025

Committee Chair

Alissa Rowe

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