|
Vicente Amigo
November 16, 2002
- Chicago Symphony
Center, Chicago, IL
«««««
Review and Photography by
Rosalba Díaz Martin
|
| During the height of this, their
seventy-second season , the Chicago Symphony Center (home of The Chicago
Symphony Orchestra) underwent an artistic
transformation of Spanish accent.
I am referring to the performance by the acclaimed "Sultan of Duende"
Vicente Amigo, the 2001 Latin Grammy Award winner for best flamenco album
for City of Ideas his latest of three CDs, and his first on the BMG label.
This was my first visit to CSO and without a doubt it was quite an
enchanted evening, as Chicago's weather set the stage at a chilling 40
degrees and the night twinkled with winters first snow.
Yet while inside the warmth of CSO, I was taken aback as waves of
symphonic musical proportions filled the halls. I was truly entranced by
the depth of emotions that echoed with this young guitarist's powerful
storytelling tradition. Vicente Amigo's flamenco is compelling,
inspirational, and he exposes a wide range of
|
|
musical expressions and rhythmic
possibilities; the proof of this range is noted by his incredible global
appeal. Vicente Amigo's style of flamenco guitar is profound, very rich
deep in Spanish culture yet still alive with modern flare. This new
generation of flamenco guitar is vivacious and quite brilliant, as each
song is a mini opera, a telling story of love, a beautiful day in
Seville. With City of Ideas, he translates the
"Gitano" or "Gypsy" way of life, a passionate romantic approach
toward life itself. The song Eyes of Alhambra with it's
perfect pitch of percussions (clapping), or the lamented vocals of
Manuel My Friend, and the acoustic blend of Vicente's Bolero
all made you feel as if you were a willing participant at a
Spanish evening under the moon and stars.
Vicente Amigo - Official Site
(choose Espańol
or English)
The
Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Official Site
Posted 11/30/02
|
