UMS Concert Program, February 6, 1973: Carlos Montoya --

Rackham Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan

The University Musical Society
of
The University of Michigan
Presents
Carlos Montoya
Flamenco Guitarist
Tuesday Evening, February 6, 1973, at 8:30 Rackham Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
PROGRAM
Alegrias
The dance of Alegrias is at the heart of every Cuadro Flamenco. Here we have it in its most authentic form with all the components.
Garrotin
A change of pace in the oldtime Cuadro Flamenco, this light rhythm was made famous by Gabriela la Fea--"ugly Gabriela."
Jaleo
"Jaleo" means literally, excitement; it is also the name for one of the Andalusian Gypsies' dance rhythms.
Tarantas
One of the many "Cantes de Levante" in dark tonal colors, it is based upon very old Gypsy melodies brought to new life by Montoya.
Seguiriya y Solea por Medio
This is the "Cante Jondo" or deep song. These two rhythms are truly the matrix of Flamenco, from which many other songs, such as "Serranas" and "La Cana" derive.
Fandango
Here we have a different facet of Flamenco music: the Flamenco song from Anda?lusia, not bound by the strict rhythm of the dance.
INTERMISSION
Tientos
You really have to be a Gypsy to give this early dance its style . . . that intangible something you can't learn, with the very popular Gypsy rhythm of the Tango Gitano from Cadiz.
Caje de Chinitas
There was a song collected by GarciaLorca, describing the goingson in this famous cafe in Malaga. This little gem is based on the song, in Peteneras rhythm.
Soleares
When the Spanish Gypsies gather for music they play many Soleares. This has a characteristic rhythm, but the variations are improvised by the guitarist.
Z am bra
Of all Spanish music, this shows the strongest Moorish influence. The dancing girl's tambourines are imitated on the guitar. One can still hear the Zambras in the Sacromonte or Gypsy Quarter of Granada.
Granaina
One of the most beautiful Flamenco forms, it evokes romantic memories of the famed Alhambra Moorish Castle in Granada.
Malaga
A beautiful song from the province of Malaga, a traditional Malaguena, not to be confused with the famous composition by the same name.
INTERMISSION
La Rosa
The forerunner of the more modern dance rhythm "Alegrias," Montoya's own highlysyncopated variation on an old theme.
Guajiras
This dates back to the Spanish colonization of Cuba and is a rhythm with the syncopation of the Caribbean played in a Flamenco style.
Saeta
The story of the Holy Week procession in Sevilla, with the drums and cornets of the military band, the unaccompanied melody of a Flamenco singer; then we hear the procession moving off into the distance.
Cancion del Norte and Gaita Gallega
A touching little Celtic air by Tomas Rios, paired with Montoya's own "Gaita Gallega," an original creation based on the traditional bagpipe music of Galicia. You can almost hear the characteristic "drone" of the bagpipes.
Jota
The best loved folksong and dance of the province of Aragon, ending with some guitar fireworks.
NOTE: Flamenco music comes from the Spanish Gypsies. Until now there has been no written music for it. These are all Carlos Montoya's own arrangement of the old themes with his own compositions in typical Gypsy rhythm. Each of the great Gypsy guitarists add to the folklore of the race.
Records: RCAVictor, ABCParamount and United Artists Records