The Muixeranga
Just south of Valencia, on the east coast of Spain, Catalan is spoken. The small municipality of Algemesí boasts an interesting religious tradition: in honor of the Virgin of Health, at the town festival each September, acrobatic dancers dance and create towers in the street, and musicians play.
The Muixeranga Tune
Musicians traditionally play a drum (the tabalet), and a small double reed instrument, the dulzaina. They always play the same catchy tune whose composer is unknown. From the videos below, it would seem that modern band instruments have taken the place of, or at least supplemented the tabalet and dulzaina.
Muixeranga In Concert
This video features the Muixeranga arranged for band with tabalet and dulzaina performed in concert, though the video also includes footage of the dancers mixed in.
Muixeranga On The Street
Here the Muixeranga is performed by band instruments in the street while some castellers are busy.
More Muixeranga
You can find out more about the Muixeranga (pronounced “mooh-eeh-sheh-rang-gah”) on Wikipedia! Videos courtesy of YouTube.