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On Friday November 7, 2003 at 7.30 pm, the Museum of Fine Arts presented a concert called Flamenco, film, music and dance at Remis Auditorium. The concert, presented to a sold out crowd, opened with Andaluz, a 6 minute animated film by Karen Aqua and Joanna Priestley. Karen spoke before the showing and said that her dream was to have a party and to show the film. This bi-cultural, bi-costal film was three years in the making. Accompanied by a soundtrack with music by Juanito Pascual on guitar, Fernando de Malaga singing, Adolfo Herrera percussion, and other sounds effects, the film presented us with images of Spain, doors, mountains, flora, old symbols, flickering fire, stark white of bleached houses, blue of the sky, blood red that flowed from the dress of flamenco dancers into the cape of the bull fighter. Andaluz played with our imagination and was fanciful and fun a delightful opening to this evening’s event. Immediately following this brief film Juanito Pascual began with a beautiful Granaina, a fitting piece that reflects early Moorish influences in Granada. Granaina is generally played in free time and this one was true to form, Played solo it allowed the audience and introduction to the sound of the guitar and to Juanito’s command of the instrument. Unfortunately the piece was accompanied at the end by the ringing of a cell phone. After welcoming and thanking people for coming to the concert Juanito was joined onstage by Laura Montes and Sabrian Aviles on palmas and Gonzalo Grau on percussion. The second piece, Salva, was an Alegrias, and as Juanito pointed out, that though Alegrias means joy, sometimes joy does not always mean happiness. This Alegrias was filled with brilliant, very fast picado, (picking), rapid fire staccato sounds and flashing rasgueos that showed Juanito’s true ability as a force in the flamenco guitar world. In the middle of this Alegrias was a beautiful silencio, a contrasting almost lament like section, a striking contrast to this up tempo piece. The third piece ‘Cosas in Comun,’ ‘Things in Common,’ is the name of the CD on which many of the pieces that Juanito played are recorded. This piece in the Tangos rhythm opened with a soulful melody accompanied by Gonzalo on a frame drum with brushes but quickly moved into rhythm joined by palmas and cajon. Calle del Laurel was a Jerez style bulerias with beautiful melodic lines and hints of jazz influences that seems to be becoming the trademark of new flamenco composers. Juanito does this as well as any of the new players I have heard. The accompaniment of the cajon and palmas added the excitement to this driving piece. Soleares del Monte was played as a solo. The solea form is considered one of the oldest of flamenco. The audience was once again treated to the pure sound of the flamenco guitar. Juanito dedicated this piece to a teacher Adam del Monte who had called a few days before to express his admiration to his young student. Juanito was playing a Lester De Voe guitar and I have never heard this instrument sound better. The first half ended with Playa de los Canos, a tangos accompanied by a slide show. These images of Karen Aqua’s were some of the images used in the film animation Andaluz and showed scenes of Southern Spain including the magnificent Alhambra in Granada, Spain. The tangos played here fit these scenes perfectly, Juanito’s composition at times mimicking the Arabic oud and in the middle a wonderful percussion interlude led by Gonzalo, a gifted musician on cajon and Sabrina and Laura on palmas. The second half opened with Recordando la Luz, a beautiful solo improv-like Taranta with traditional themes interspersed with contemporary chords. This composition allowed the audience to enjoy the large dynamic range of the guitar. In all of Juanito’s solos we could hear the amazing dynamics of this instrument aided by the depth of these compositions. This was followed by a Seguiriyas sung by Fernando de Malaga. Juanito explained that Seguiriyas along with the Solea belong to the cante hondo, deep song . Fernando’s singing was filled with pathos and longing, his voice was clear and vibrant and in this song we could hear the Arabic influence in the flamenco singing. Fernando de Malaga brings to us the traditional flavor of flamenco. The audience was delighted to Laura Montes’ dancing of Solea. Solea is considered a dance of mystery by some and her elegant, slow sinuous movements evoked the feeling of this mood. Eyes cast down Montes began slowly, her arms and hands twisting in the air, and as the dance progressed the pace picked up slowly, her feet pounding out rhythms as she guided her accompanist into a fiery escobilla to end this exciting dance.
Juanito ended the concert with Viaje, a bulerias. This was the debut of a new piece, the first new piece for a year, aptly named Viaje for journey. As Juanito described, the writing of a piece is like a journey, coming to completion at the performance. Viaje again showed the breadth of Juanito’s composing and playing ability. His hands did things on the guitar that seemed impossible at time flying across the strings to create wonderful textures and sounds. The obvious success of this evening was evident in the immediate standing ovation of the crowd. Juanito has an remarkable command of the guitar. His dynamic range is truly impressive and his compositions show real depth and understanding of both genres, flamenco and contemporary forms. It is very difficult for a non-native player to enter into and transcend the world of flamenco. Juanito however does that well. There is a new school of flamenco players out there. Juanito Pascual is a name to watch for among these bright rising stars. Juanito Pascual: Flamenco Guitarist in concert as part of "The Art of the Guitar," Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Flamenco USA Winter 2001 The Remis Auditorium at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts was packed with standing room only for "The Soul of the Flamenco," featuring flamenco guitarist Juanito Pascual. Juanito was joined by his familiar collaborators, singer Fernando de Málaga, dancer Chica Mori, and percussionist José Mena. Juanito Pascual, a skilled flamenco and classical guitarist and recent graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, took his audience on a crash course in flamenco music. This gifted guitarist had no problem switching from teacher to adept musician as he told anecdotes and shared some history on different song forms. He began the program with a traditional Granaina song followed by his own arrangement of a Tangos. He clearly demonstrated his mastery of both styles. In Rio Segre, Juan explained that the bulerias is often played in Spain at "festivals and parties, indoors and outdoors, on the street corner or at the concert hall." José Mena joined him on the cajón. "Soleares del Monté" was dedicated to Juan's flamenco teacher, Adam del Monte, for "his inspiration." The soleares was followed by a Tientos por Tangos ably sung by Fernando de Málaga. This was followed by the highly rhythmic and fun "Rumba for J.B." Juanito explained the initials "J.B." stood for James Brown. Juanito announced that some of his newer compositions would be included on his debut CD. In describing one of these newer pieces, he explained that though the Alegrías has "an upbeat happy sound to it, in flamenco, you never had something that is completely 100% happy." Those audience members familiar with flamenco laughed and nodded in understanding. During the Alegrías, which was accompanied by the palmas of Chica Mori and José Mena, Juanito performed several intricate and beautiful falsetas. Juanito Pascual plays his guitar with majesty, pleasure and a deep sense of respect for flamenco. The final number, Soleá por Bulerías, was arranged by Juanito, who was joined by dancer Chica Mori, singer Fernando de Málaga, and percussionist José Mena. During this piece, each performer was given time in the limelight. Chica Mori is a wonderful dancer who moves with grace and power. Her footwork is firm and strong, with ever-changing rhythmic patterns. It is such a joy to watch performers who truly love their work and are experienced enough to have fun in improvising as they inspire and dare one another. This number won them a standing ovation. A spectacular ending to an excellent show. Bravo, Juanito! Keep an eye on this young musician, for he is sure to go quite far with his talent and musicality. For
booking information contact: carl@rainbowtalentagency.com (585)-723-3334 |
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