Inti-Illimani (from Quechuan inti and / Aymara illimani) are an instrumenta… Read Full Bio ↴Inti-Illimani (from Quechuan inti and / Aymara illimani) are an instrumental and vocal Latin American folk music ensemble from Chile. The group was formed in 1967 by a group of university students and it acquired widespread popularity in Chile for their song Venceremos (We shall win!) which became the anthem of the Popular Unity government of Salvador Allende. At the moment of the September 11, 1973 Chilean coup they were on tour in Europe and were unable to return to their country where their music was proscribed by the ruling military junta. In Europe their music took on a multifarious character, incorporating elements of European baroque and other traditional music forms to their rich and colourful Latin American rhythms - creating a distinctive fusion of modern world music. They are perhaps the best internationally known members of the nueva canción movement. Their name means 'Sun of the Illimani.' In Aymara Illimani is the name of a mountain in the Bolivian Andes. They influenced Yeni Türkü, a Turkish group, during their debut album, Buğdayın Türküsü (Song of Wheat) in 1979.

The group was formed by students at Universidad Técnica del Estado at Santiago, Chile in 1967. In 1973 as they were on tour abroad, General Augusto Pinochet launched a coup d'etat and took power. Having heard of the numerous extra-judicial killings of many fellow artists by Chile's army, they took up residence in Italy, resulting in "the longest tour in history" for Inti-Illimani as they lived in de facto exile. They continued their efforts supporting Chilean democracy internationally; magnitizdat copies of their work continued to be widely distributed in Chile. In September 1988, days after they were no longer banned from Chile, they began touring Chile again. They helped organize the voting down of the referendum that would have re-elected Pinochet. Recently, they were actually supported by Chile as representatives of Chilean culture.

In the past the group was musically led by Horacio Salinas and politically led by Jorge Coulon. However, in 2001 there was a controversial split of the group, which started when three key members left the group (José Seves, Horacio Durán and Horacio Salinas). They were replaced by Manuel Meriño (from Entrama), Cristián González and Juan Flores. Due to the importance of departed members, many called into question the ability of the remainder to carry on the Inti-Illimani name. Meanwhile, the three departed members started their own group they call Inti-Histórico. From 2005 there are two groups:

Inti-Illimani New (Coulon brothers)
Inti-Illimani Histórico (José Seves, Horacio Durán and Horacio Salinas)

Membership
In August 1967 Inti-Illimani's earliest membership consisted of:

Horacio Durán
Max Berrú
Jorge Coulon
Luis Espinoza
Oscar Guzmán
Ciro Retamal
Pedro Yáñez

In 1968 Inti-Illimani's membership consisted of:

Horacio Salinas (Musical director and main composer)
Horacio Durán
Max Berrú
Jorge Coulon
Ernesto Perez de Arce

Current line-up of the "Inti-Illimani Nuevo":

Jorge Coulon
Christian González
Daniel Cantillana
Juan Flores
Efren Viera
Marcelo Coulon
Manuel Meriño
César Jara

Current line-up of the "Inti-Histórico":

Horacio Salinas
Horacio Durán
José Seves
Jorge Ball
Fernando Julio
Camilo Salinas
Danilo Donoso

Other members in the history of the group:

Ernesto Pérez de Arce
Homero Altamirano
José Miguel Camus
Renato Freyggang
Pedro Villagra

la carta del adiós
Inti-Illimani Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Durante muchos días busqué cómo decirlo
sin abrirte una herida ni dejarte sufrir,
las horas más amargas sonaron en mis venas
como campanas rotas o trenes por partir.

Te escribo pues la carta que encontrarás
mañana debajo de la almohada,
es la carta del adiós.

No busques otro signo que el de la vida misma
la vida que vivimos y nos hirió a los dos.

Es una carta escrita con todos los dolores
que nos abren el pecho y nos hieren las venas
pero con ella quiero que comprendas que parto
rompiendo para siempre las amadas cadenas
las amadas cadenas,

La tierra del amor tiene algo inexplicable
y a mí me sembró el alma sólo de flores mustias.
Te dejo mi sollozo sin un solo gemido

y un jardín indefenso
regado por la angustia de lo que se ha perdido

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Inti-Illimani's "La Carta Del Adiós" paint a picture of a relationship that has come to an end. The singer has been searching for a way to express their feelings without causing any more hurt, but the pain of the situation has been too much to bear. As such, the singer has written a farewell letter to their partner which will be found under the pillow the next day.

The letter is a painful testament to their love that has hurt them both. The singer speaks of their shared life and experiences, but ultimately it is a letter of goodbye. The singer wants their partner to know that they are breaking the chains of their love and that they are moving on. The pain that the breakup has caused is palpable through their words.

The metaphor of the train leaving the station is used to describe the end of the relationship. The last train is leaving and the singer has to be on it. They are filled with the sorrow and pain of the end of something wonderful, but they know it is time to move on. The singer leaves their partner with a garden of memories that they will take with them, but they will no longer be watered by the tears of loss.

Line by Line Meaning

Durante muchos días busqué cómo decirlo sin abrirte una herida ni dejarte sufrir,
I spent many days contemplating how to share this news with you without causing you any pain or hurt.

las horas más amargas sonaron en mis venas como campanas rotas o trenes por partir.
The worst moments have been weighing heavily on my soul, echoing like broken bells or departing trains.

Te escribo pues la carta que encontrarás mañana debajo de la almohada,
I am writing this letter, which you will find under your pillow tomorrow.

es la carta del adiós.
This is a farewell letter.

No busques otro signo que el de la vida misma la vida que vivimos y nos hirió a los dos.
Do not look for any other explanation besides the harsh realities of life, which has hurt both of us.

Es una carta escrita con todos los dolores que nos abren el pecho y nos hieren las venas
This letter is filled with all the pains that have opened our hearts and wounded our souls.

pero con ella quiero que comprendas que parto rompiendo para siempre las amadas cadenas las amadas cadenas,
However, I wish for you to understand that I am leaving and breaking the cherished chains forever.

La tierra del amor tiene algo inexplicable y a mí me sembró el alma sólo de flores mustias.
The land of love holds an unexplainable essence, yet my heart has only been blooming with withered flowers.

Te dejo mi sollozo sin un solo gemido y un jardín indefenso regado por la angustia de lo que se ha perdido
I leave you with my sorrow, silently shedding tears and a fragile garden watered by the anguish of our loss.

Contributed by Katherine H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS