Classical Music

CUSTÓDIO CASTELO is the world’s leading player of the Portuguese fado guitar, the instrument that helped make fado music Portugal’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO). Like Carlos Paredes, Custódio Castelo creates groundbreaking new sounds that have promoted the Portuguese Guitar to a concert instrument that can be played solo or as accompaniment. His unique Portuguese guitar, handmade from an oak root by master Oscar Cardoso, is capable of fine nuances of emotion, and he uses them well, especially for melancholy, but also for a sense of jubilation. On this release Custódio Castelo plays fados made famous by the Queen of Fado, Amália Rodrigues. “Custódio Castelo is the world’s leading exponent of the Guitarra Portuguesa, the instrument that gives the country’s fado music its poignant song.” (Allmusic)

Viguela is a five-member band from Castilla-La Mancha, who has been sustaining their homeland’s traditional music for over three decades. Their music fuses traditional songs with more modern aspects and sounds from other areas in the Iberian Peninsula and Northern Africa. Temperamento is being released alongside their 2016 European tour, which will take the group through Spain, Sweden, and Germany. “Viguela’s CD is a treasure. Full of reality, human presence, intensity – and musically and technically perfect.” (Janusz Prusinowski, Mazurkas of the World Festival)

Classical Music

This CD has been a long time coming, and dates back to the first time Paco Peña and Eliot Fisk ever met, when they performed separately at a now-defunct guitar festival in Germany, in September 1983. The disc does not pretend to be either pure flamenco or pure classical. Necessarily, the classical selections are colored by Paco’s flamenco sensibility just as the flamenco selections are colored by Eliot’s formation in the classical world. But that is exactly what is interesting! Paco finds things in classical music that would never occur to a classical player, and something analogous can be said of Eliot’s attempts to enter the mysterious temple of flamenco.

Classical Music

Custódio Castelo is the world’s leading player of the Portuguese fado guitar, the instrument that helped make fado music Portugal’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO).Like Carlos Paredes, Custódio Castelo creates groundbreaking new sounds that have promoted the Portuguese Guitar to a concert instrument that can be played solo or as accompaniment. His unique Portuguese guitar, handmade from an oak root by master Oscar Cardoso, is capable of fine nuances of emotion, and he uses them well, especially for melancholy, but also for a sense of jubilation. This release is a selection of Portugal’s most famous fados, arranged for and performed on Portuguese guitar by Custódio Castelo, lovingly selected by the master himself.

Classical Music

Classical Music

The tracks that make up this release are songs that were made famous by the Queen of Fado herself, Amalia Rodrigues. Up and coming fado starlet Matilde Larguinho sings these traditional songs, accompanied by Antonio Carvalho on the Portuguese lute and Alfredo Pena on the guitar. Included in the booklet are the original Portuguese lyrics, as well as descriptions of the songs in English and biographies of the musicians.

This new release features an Andalusian flair, with exciting tracks of traditional Flamenco and Flamenco Nuevo.; These thrilling tunes feature quick rhythms, exciting guitars, zapateados (“feet”), palmas (clapping), and jaleos (cheers).; Telling stories about love, folk customs, and festivals, these songs will transport the listener into the romantic world of Flamenco.

Flamenco can be traced back several centuries although the exact point in time at which it began to evolve is unknown. History shows, however, a diverse background of cultural roots and influences including Indian, Jewish, Byzantine, Arabic, and South American. At certain times throughout the history of the Iberian Peninsula, people from these various cultures have passed through and settled in Andalusia and in so doing forged their own particular characteristics upon the development of this southern region of Spain. At the fall of their last stronghold in Granada in 1492 after the occupation of southern Spain for seven hundred years, the Moors left behind a cultural heritage so strong and of such magnitude that five centuries later, the impact of their influence is still very much apparent. In this diverse cultural melting pot of so many different races, the seeds of flamenco were sown and there emerged a new form of musical expression. Flamenco has been evolving continuously and today the three principal elements of singing, dancing and guitar playing have reached a peak of unsurpassed technical virtuosity and musical sophistication. To understand and retain the purity of style and spontaneity of this art form, however, we must look into the way of life of the flamenco people whose roots were buried centuries ago deep in the soil of Andalusia. It is from this way of life that the very essence of flamenco has grown.

When the 'fadista' sings, a hush falls over the room... Fado, Portugal's blues, can not only be described as a song; it represents a certain feeling which many people call the spirit of Portugal. These melancholic and often tragic songs, beautiful and touching, relate a general sense of frustration and a unique Portuguese fatalism. They express a feeling the Portuguese call saudade, an almost untranslatable word evoking longing, yearning and nostalgia. This carefully compiled 16-track collection highlights several forms of fado, from the popular Lisbon form loved by millions, to the lesser known variant from the city of Coimbra, and includes fusions of fado with other musical genres. Custodio Castelo, icon of the Portuguese fado guitar and RosaNegra, a project within the "Novo Fado" (New Fado) movement, are but two of the many fine performers, individual or group, one will happily encounter again, or anew.

In the 1980s, while staging her first plays, Fortuna composed a repertoire of songs in partnership with the Curitiba poet Paulo Leminski. The decisive chapter of her career, however, would begin to be written after a trip to Israel, in 1991. It was there that Fortuna’s art won an innovative orientation: when she heard a piece of the Ladino collection of songs, she found the raw material for a unique aesthetic proposal, in which music, dance and dramaturgy converge in the re-creation of a rich cultural legacy. Ladino, a Jewish-Hispanic dialect, is the language of Sefardim, the Jews of Sefarad, the Hebrew name of the Iberian Peninsula. The contact with the Ladino musical tradition would change Fortuna’s life and give new direction of her work. This album is a compilation of songs from Fortuna’s previous releases “Mediterraneo,” “Cantigas,” and “La Prima Vez.”

Pepe Romero, head of an outstanding family of folk musicians has been playing the bagpipe since he was twelve years old. He is known today, as one of the best bagpipers in Galicia. The repertoire on this album, based on self-composed themes with clear, unmistakable and genuine roots in the Galician usical tradition, is another aspect that gives a very special character to this group. (ARC Music)

One of ARC Music's most successful fusion collaborations is that of world renowned Egyptian percussionist Hossam Ramzy, Jose Luis Monton and Spanish guitarist Rafa El Tachuela. The result of their work is a captivating, fiery, and romantic Spanish/Arabian album. The music on this release is a perfect synergy of Arabian and Spanish melodies and rhythms, the two musical genres inspiring each other to create a colorful adventure of sounds and flavors. Arabian dance rhythms meet zapateados (Flamenco 'stepdance'), fiery guitar complemented by sinuous Egyptian violin... it's a feast for the ears! "... a treasure. From the splendors of the Alhambra palace in Granada fusing wonderfully with Arabic cultures." (L. Anderson) "Excellent world-class acoustic fusion... truly captures Andalusian-Arabic synergies." (Rave Magazine India) "Heartfelt and spacious, Hossam's sea of percussion allows the music to soar, providing a bedrock for the elegant acoustic guitar lines... " (Living Tradition)

A potent cocktail of explosive footwork, haunting singing, virtuoso guitar playing and percussive handclapping from southern Spain with some of flamenco’s finest award-winning artists. This album was recorded live at a flamenco bar in the heart of Andalusia. JALEO began touring outside Spain in 1988, and ever since, their rigorous touring schedule has become more demanding each year including recording, theatre performances, workshops, TV and radio work. For three decades Jaleo have captivated the attention of audiences of all ages and walks of life with the universal appeal of their art. Their authentic and charismatic approach to performance – sometimes serious, sometimes humorous, but always sincere – has won them many followers and considerable critical acclaim from both press and public alike. Formed by award-winning flamenco artists from Seville who have each earned great recognition within their own country, Jaleo has now firmly established an international reputation as a very exciting and dynamic dance company with an innovative approach.

Martin Jones has been one of Britain’s most highly regarded solo pianists since first coming to international attention in 1968 when he received the Dame Myra Hess Award. The same year he made his London debut at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and his New York debut at Carnegie Hall, and ever since has been in demand for recitals and concerto performances on both sides of the Atlantic. He is a prolific recording artist and his many major projects include the complete solo piano works of Mendelssohn, Brahms, Debussy, Grainger, Stravinsky, Korngold, Szymanowski, Granados, Guastavino, Mompou, Ernesto Halffter, Joaquin Nin, Has Gál, Jean Françaix, Jean Roger-Ducasse, and Alan Richardson. On the present release, Jones explores the works of Spanish pianist and composer Enrique Granado,

An exciting album with a fine collection of fiery Flamenco. 14 pieces, sung, as well as instrumental, from the very traditional to today's modern renditions, presented by some of the finest exponents in the genre.

A gorgeous Fado album, sung by Rodrigo Costa Felix, with several of his own songs as well as special collaborations and duets (with Katia Guerrero and Aline Frazao). Original Portuguese lyrics as well as English translations provided.

This release is a captivating album by a popular folk group from Coimbra, Portugal's cultural capital. Portugal is a popular year-round locale, not only as a vacation destination in the Summer, but also for it's timeless folk and fado music. The present album is the perfect gift for Portuguese fans. Grupo Folclorico de Coimbra, a non-profit cultural association, was founded in 1986. It's main aim is to collect, study, recreate and revive the popular traditions of Coimbra, in the areas of singing, dance, costumes, poetry and life of Coimbra in the late eighteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth century. Today the group, of whom all members are past or present students and also employees of the University of Coimbra, has a repertoire of over 90 songs in two main areas: songs of very diverse types, from satire, work songs, religious songs to serenades, and dance, which include urban dances and those of the surrounding rural areas. They perform regularly in Portugal as well as abroad. They have presented their traditions in Hungary, France, Spain, Lithuania, the Canary Islands, Egypt, Brazil, and Canada. "This is a rarity... For fans of Portuguese music with a curious ear." (Allmusic USA)

From Danza Fuego comes this exciting album of flamenco music. The nineteen fast, furious, and hot tracks laden with astounding guitar fireworks brilliantly display this beloved Spanish artform. Danza Fuego is a flamenco group which plays traditional flamenco instruments such as guitars, bandoneon, percussion, timbales, castanets, flute, cello, and more. This release was recorded at Danza Fuego Studio in Weinheim, Germany, and is dedicated to the memory of Frederico Garcia Lorca.

Classical Music

Rafa El Tachliela: Flamenco Romantico

Rosanegra: Fado Ladino

Jaleo: Flamenco Live

Granados, E. / Albeniz, I.: Piano Music, Vol. 1

Turina’s principal works are conceived for large forces and on a broad canvas, but he turned to the piano for the creation of suites of evocative miniatures throughout his life. Martin Jones has been one of Britain’s most highly regarded solo pianists since first coming to international attention in 1968 when he received the Dame Myra Hess Award. The same year he made his London debut at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and his New York debut at Carnegie Hall, and ever since has been in demand for recitals and concerto performances on both sides of the Atlantic. He is a prolific recording artist and his many major projects include the complete solo piano works of Mendelssohn, Brahms, Debussy, Grainger, Stravinsky, Korngold, Szymanowski, Granados, Guastavino, Mompou, Ernesto Halffter, Joaquin Nin, Has Gál, Jean Françaix, Jean Roger-Ducasse, and Alan Richardson. “Martin Jones as a recording artist has been part of my listening experience for almost as long as I’ve been collecting albums. Seeing his distinguished and still active career celebrated by Nimbus Records in this way is a true delight.” (Dominy Clements, musicweb-international.com)

-----

REVIEW:

Martin Jones, one of Britain’s most highly-regarded pianists since first coming to international attention in 1968 when he received the Dame Myra Hess Award, offers a beautiful rendering of Spanish composer Joaquin Turina’s piano works, compiling an earlier recording from 1999 with some newer ones. These are miniatures that evoke dance rhythms of Spain. Cinco Danzas is especially well done, but there could be some small disagreements with interpretation. IV has a wonderful rhythmic feel, with evenness of playing. 'Fiesta’ has a sense of dynamic growth, with a constant ostinato-like rhythm. 'Danza Ritmica’ could have a quieter opening (it is marked pianissimo and lighter). To nitpick a little, the work could be a hair faster. Jones could aim for longer phrasing, especially in the running 16th notes that occur often. His range of sound is impressive. 'Seguriya’, marked allegro vivo, could be approached with a quicker pace. His use of the left hand articulation, slightly non legato, brings out the melodic line perfectly, and the work comes to a wonderful finish. The start of El Castillo de Almodovar is extremely beautiful, but I do wish for a more ominous and softer turn, as that movement is marked ppp. Still, besides these quibbles, this recording is a delight.

– American Record Guide (Sang Woo Kang)

Issac Albeniz, the pre-eminent Spanish composer was a prolific composer, especially of piano music. Presented here is a collection of his works performed by the celebrated pianist, Martin Jones. Included in this collection are pieces that were left unfinished at the time of Albeniz’s death and completed by Martin Jones. Martin Jones has been one of Britain’s most highly regarded solo pianists since first coming to international attention in 1968 when he received the Dame Myra Hess Award. The same year he made his London debut at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and his New York debut at Carnegie Hall, and ever since has been in demand for recitals and concerto performances on both sides of the Atlantic. He is a prolific recording artist and his many major projects include the complete solo piano works of Mendelssohn, Brahms, Debussy, Grainger, Stravinsky, Korngold, Szymanowski, Granados, Guastavino, Mompou, Ernesto Halffter, Joaquin Nin, Has Gál, Jean Françaix, Jean Roger-Ducasse, and Alan Richardson.

-----

REVIEW:

Altogether this is a well stocked and representative survey of Albéniz's colourful and imaginative piano music and Martin Jones is as always a convincing advocate; I am always impressed with character and panache that he brings to all that he plays. The liner notes are informative though are in English only. A marvellous collection of the best of Albéniz' piano music.

– MusicWeb International

Includes work(s) for pno by Federico Mompou. Soloist: Martin Jones.