Latest Concerts: Of Essence and Time/De La Esencia y El Tiempo

It's been a whirlwind of a time since I returned from Tallahassee (and yes, all these posts are on the same day...I've had a hell of a time with technology lately). On September 1st we debuted "Of Essence and Time/De la Esencia y El Tiempo" alongside Susana Behar and a wonderful cast of musicians including Ariadna Barbe-Villa, Reza Filsoofi and Romulo Bernal. The work was commissioned by the Guava Rugelach Festival and Next @ 19th under the direction of Jenni Person. In it, we explore the common roots shared by Sephardic Music and Flamenco.

About the concert “Of Essence and Time” is a concert commissioned by Next@19th that seeks to expand a traditional aesthetic without loosing the essence and authenticity of Jewish culture present around the world, taking special interest in Sephardic manifestations. This concert utilizes common elements present in both Andalusian and Sephardic cultures, transforming and shaping them in order to create a new sound and visual universe, an integral part of the musical life of the artists that make up the ensemble. In J. L. Rodriguez’s compositions, we can appreciate the innovative and experimental character of this project, both in the use of the voices and audio archives rescued from various parts of the Mediterranean geography and Andalusia, as well as in original compositions like “Fuego y Jazmines.” The artist’s search for new compositions born of contact with other artistic voices is evidenced in the medieval poem “Katav Stav”, where original music was created for Susana Behar’s voice, therein joining flamenco and poetry aesthetics. The evening also includes several traditional Sephardic songs (La Serena, Los Bilbilikos, Adio Kerida) adapted and recreated for the style of this concert, as well as several Andalusian popular songs that are believed to have Jewish origins (Seguidillas Biblikas, Peteneras). The vision is in encompassing them all in a current musical aesthetic. This concert would not be complete without Niurca Marquez’s choreography and dance. Her visual representations are a reflection of this cultural memory as transformed through the centuries. Through the de-construction of traditional flamenco elements, they illustrate how this culture’s essence is alive and present. This aesthetic, somewhere between contemporary flamenco, traditional Sephardic music, popular Andalusian music and other Mediterranean influences, creates a new and particular sound that results in “Of Essence and Time”. Thank you to all who came out and shared such a wonderful evening with us. And now we find a way to tour this thing! Take a look and tell us what you think...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cY9YHst1E-4