Naya - Waldemar Henrique

Naya was one of the songs from my Senior Recital. That event fulfilled my requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in Music at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

This song is narrated in the third person and tells the story of Nayá, a beautiful indigenous woman who was in love with the moon. Nayá had only one desire in her life, to touch the moon. One day, the young woman noticed the beautiful and brilliant reflection of the full moon in the waters of the Grand River, and jumped into the water, believing that she could finally touch the lunar surface. With this embrace, Nayá accepted her death and sank into the river. The moon, moved by her loving gesture, decided to turn the woman into a beautiful plant, the vitória-régia (water lily), also known as the star of the waters. Waldemar used this tragic yet beautiful story to reflect on the relationship between humans and the natural world, and to show how suffering and beauty can coexist and turn into something eternal. The song employs syncopated rhythms, which are a hallmark of Brazilian music, creating a flowing, almost improvisational quality. Dynamics in Naya vary greatly, with soft, intimate passages building to louder, more dramatic moments. Additionally, its melody is lyrical and expressive, designed to convey both the serenity and the intensity of the natural environment. Henrique's use of modal harmony reflects a blend of Western classical traditions with indigenous Brazilian soundscapes.

Musicians:
Voice: Lara Marttini
Piano: Ben Marti

Links:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5KDfG...
Apple Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5KDfG...
Instagram: @laramarttini
TikTok: @laramarttini
Facebook: Lara Marttini