Indecopi honors Felipe Pinglo Alva with original manuscripts for the 2026 centennial of his waltz “El plebeyo,” gob.pe reported. The agency highlighted the enduring cultural footprint of the composer as the country approaches the annual celebration of the Día de la Canción Criolla on October 31, 2026.
Manuscripts Reveal Pinglo Alva’s Creative Process
Anabel Gómez Alva, the grandniece of the composer, presented original, handwritten manuscripts during the tribute. These documents outline the creative progression behind “El plebeyo,” which marks its 100th anniversary in 2026. Fausto Vienrich, director of Copyright at Indecopi, emphasized the importance of safeguarding the heritage left by national creators.
Felipe Pinglo Alva lived from 1899 to 1936, establishing himself as one of the top exponents of Peruvian criolla music. His compositions continue to influence contemporary musicians and artists across Peru.
Public Domain Status Protects Musical Heritage
The works of Felipe Pinglo Alva currently reside in the public domain. Peruvian law protects an author’s patrimonial rights throughout their lifetime and for 70 years following their death.
Once this period expires, compositions can be used freely without requesting authorization or paying royalties, provided users maintain the integrity of the original creations and respect the author’s identity. This legal framework allows artists to adapt his works for new musical, cultural, and audiovisual projects.
Indecopi Archive Preserves Thousands of Works
To support the preservation of national artistic creations, the National Copyright Archive at Indecopi maintains records for more than 79,393 works. This collection includes over 10,383 musical compositions from national authors.
Alongside Felipe Pinglo Alva, the archive houses registered works from national authors, including Chabuca Granda, Alicia Maguiña, Augusto Polo Campos, and Óscar Avilés.