Barcelona must have the most efficient airport and transit system to get people to the city, in the world. We cleared Customs and Border Security almost without stopping!
Apart from a very short wait for luggage we immediately boarded a transit bus and were whisked into the city centre. After an easy twenty minute walk on a peaceful balmy night we arrived at the small, boutique hotel where we stayed last year.
After checking in, it was time to stroll down to the beautiful Palaeu De Musica (see Julie's photos) to enjoy an evening of Spanish guitar music, which Julie had booked for me as a special treat. The front row centre seats meant I could see and hear everything perfectly.
How do you describe and sum up such a night?
There is a saying that when words fail, music takes over.
On this evening, it was true. Each of the three Spanish maestros knew and could play the Spanish classical and Flamenco repertoire, so there was the common ground. Yet as they played as soloists, in various combinations and as a trio, each of the maestros particular virtuoso talents became clear.
One the pure classical musician, classically trained to perform in the concert hall. The other a flamenco player at heart, a player of music of the people for the people. His training ground being the bars and cafes around Spain. The third the man who could play all the other stuff but drop in American jazz and South American chords and progressions as well, offering the other two something new.
As their musical conversations evolved and interplayed, I knew I would never … EVER …..hear another concert like this again.
The music went from traditional Spanish dance from way back to Chic Corea's piece called Spain. This is a very modern piece often played on an electric piano. A fiendishly difficult piece of music to play as a soloist, let alone as a trio, then to improvise on it! The encore piece was a Gypsy Kings instrumental which the trio seemed to play for fun and to relax and let their hair down.
Even the playing of this was taken to a high virtuoso level. No wonder at the end of the evening there was a standing ovation, and lots of smiles, jokes and handshakes.
For me, it marked the fact that I was back in Spain, and our European Magical Mystery tour had truly begun.
1 comment:
Marvellous updates John. Keep up the good work.
Post a Comment