Betsy

You are my go-to person regarding hearing good quality music in Spain. We have an opportunity to attend the concert described below later this month. Are these performers well known? Would you recommend it? We have attended concerts at this amazing venue in the past and would like to return, but I know nothing about these performers. Thanks so much for your comments.

Barcelona Guitar Trio: Manuel González, Xavier Coll and Luis Robisco
Dancers: Jose M. Álvarez and Carolina Morgado
Percussion: Paquito Escudero
Program
Works of Isaac Albéniz, Manuel de Falla, Astor Piazzolla and Paco de Lucia
Three internationally renowned guitarists combine with one of the most exciting pairs of flamenco dancers in the country to deliver an unforgettable concert fusing flamenco and Spanish guitar. Feel the passion as you listen to some of the greatest Spanish music brought to you by composers such as Falla, García Lorca, Chick Corea and Paco de Lucía, at the Palau de la Música Catalana, one of the most famous concert halls in the world, and a beacon of Catalan modernist architecture. A unique evening that will undoubtedly be the highlight of your stay in Barcelona.

kimhe

A little worried by the jumps on the poster for the show, never seen anything quite like this on a flamenco stage before ;-)
http://www.palaumusica.cat/en/barcel...d=False&cycle=

Not heard of any of the dancers, but Jose M. Álvarez has worked with great dancers and performed on prestigious stages, and he is the process of working out a performance with the excellent bailaora Lucía Álvarez “La Piñona”. Could be someone to watch for the future http://josemanuelalvarez.net/#!/josemanuelalvarez-2/

Carolina Morgado seem to be have been involved in other flamenco fusion projects: https://roxanamironescu.wordpress.co...olina-morgado/

They both seem talented dancers from the video clips I've seen, and a fusion of Spanish guitar and flamenco dance could work very well. Top guitarists on Albéniz, de Falla, Piazzolla and Paco de Lucia can never be wrong, and I think you should give this a try.

annhig

Chiming in if I may, Betsy, the concert we went to in the Palau was in two halves - one was flamenco, the other opera. a strange mix and given the choice, the concert you are thinking of going to looks a lot better.

Personally I would go, as I love guitar music especially Albéniz, & de Falla - you haven't really got much to lose!

kimhe

But if you want to see genuine flamenco in Palau de la Musica, there are huge performances on almost every day around the dates of the concert above. The performances October 9. 16. and 19. could be something to remember for very long. With many of the greatest artists on the current scene: http://www.palaumusica.cat/en/progra...e&cycle=355753

Karime Amaya, grand-niese of the finest flamenco dancer of all times, the barcelonesa Carmen Amaya (1917-1963). Karime's career is taking off right now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CklXLAvSIyc

Farruquito, the most famous male flamenco dancer today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOoIqwfHSdQ

Fabulous Belen Lopez: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvHLRmL347U

And great up and coming barceloneses such as Jose Carmona and El Yiyo among others

Betsy

Thanks so much,, kimhe and Annhig. I'm not sure we're into fusion; I think maybe we'd enjoy seeing either flamenco or guitar. Unfortunately, Oct 13 and 14 are the only nights we have available to enjoy good music in Barcelona or I would follow your recommendations above, kimhe.

Here's another possibility I came across today: Manuel Gonzalez at the Basilica Santa Maria del Pi. Seems as if it may be tourist-oriented, which isn't necessarily a problem. It is only guitar and the venue seems nice.

Any further comments, kimhe, annhig, or anyone else?

kimhe

<I'm not sure we're into fusion>

Spanish guitar and flamenco is not that far apart, and they're also playing Paco de Lucia's music, the greatest and most cutting edge flamenco guitarist in the past genereation - probably ever - who died much to early last year. Here his game changing Entre dos Aguas (Between two seas - Paco de Lucia was born in Algeciras, that's where the Mediterranean and the Atlantic oceans meet) which you are sure to hear in the Palau. Paco also often used to have dancers on stage with him, saw him last time with Farru on dance in 2011. But here, Entre dos aguas. Enjoy!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oyhlad64-s

annhig

Hi Betsy,

if Oct 13 & 14 are your only options, on the 13th there is a concert of music by Enric Morera given by what appears to be a wind ensemble; on the 14th there is something called GranFlamenc with the following artists:

Guitarras: José Saucedo, Pau Vallet
Cajón: Juan de Julia
Cantaora: Fefa Gómez
Cantaores: Joaquín Gómez (El Duende)
Bailaores: Eli Ayala, Marina González, Iván Alcalá, Nacho Blanco

here's the link to the concert:

what think you, kimhe?

I've never heard of Enric Morera so i would probably opt for the Flamenco, but you may be a fan of wind ensembles, Betsy!

annhig

oops - here's the link:

http://www.palaumusica.cat/en/gran-g...d=False&cycle=

kimhe

The Gran Gala Flamenc need not be a bad option, Marina González obviously knows how to still any audience. https://vimeo.com/42284182

thomassar

Hello everyone,

Quite a late response, but I was going to this same concert this month, and it looks that now you can gather more information online. I read some reviews on TripAdvisor, and lately, since September 2015, they've got more than 200 new reviews (so it means that they have hired someone to take care of their online info). Most of them saying they are really surprised with the show (320 out of 325 reviews saying it was Excellent -288- or Very Good https://goo.gl/NqlV7L). I also could find a responsive site with lots of information (www.maestrosdelaguitarra.com), a solid Facebook Page (https://goo.gl/rrrxRX) and some new videos on YouTube (https://goo.gl/u6NlFv). I know some of the musicians because they have a long career and I understand that they might focus some of their energy on promoting their concerts for foreigners as the tourism in Barcelona is as never before. But don't forget that both Spanish and Flamenco guitars are part of the city's soul and that the city is the home for many great musicians. If you are not going to risk yourself in a flamenco show that you don't know, this one looks like a great option.

See you there on May 17th!