Ensemble of the Philippines consisting of plucked string instruments with percussion. The size of a rondalla can vary: while a small ensemble might feature eight or so instruments a large ensemble can comprise more than 30. The common rondalla consists of four bandurria (14-string lute with a flat back), laúd (lute), octavina (small guitar) one five- or six-string gitara and a four-string bass guitar. Smaller ensembles might include one of each instrument and omit the octavina and laúd, while larger ensembles increase the numbers of instruments included rather than the types. The addition of percussion instruments (such as various types of drum, castanets, triangles and marimba) is a recent phenomenon. Prevalent at the beginning of the 20th century, rondalla ensembles have returned to popularity several times, most recently in the 1970s. They are now featured in concert-style performances, playing repertory ranging from folksong to arrangements of Western art music.
GEWM, iv (‘The Lowland Christian Philippines’; C. Canave-Dioquino)
MARIA MENDONÇA