The "Concierto de Aranjuez," by the blind, 20th-century composer Joaquín Rodrigo, is one of the most well-known works for classical guitar. However, it is less often that one gets to hear it backed by a full orchestra. Ed Stephensonperformed the Spanish bonbon last night on the Meredith College campus, accompanied by the Raleigh Symphony, which also performed works by Beethoven and Dvorak.
Meredith College campus at night.
Born in Canada, Stephenson is half-Ukrainian (original family name: Stefanyshyn). Besides teaching at Meredith, he performs regularly in the area as a soloist and with his nuevo-flamenco combo Paco Band.
The Adagio second movement is instantly familiar; so familiar, in fact, that contractually, orchestras can only obtain the rights to perform this concerto in its entirety. But for simplicity's sake, I'm bringing you just the video of this melancholic second movement from last night's performance:
Ed passes a bouquet to Raleigh Symphony conductor Jim Waddelow.
Having spent a week trying to describe Buika, I don't have a lot of energy left except to say: see this indescribable songstress on Tuesday (11/16), 8 pm at NC State's Stewart Theatre, you won't regret it.
Oh, and yours truly will give the Pre-Concert Talk from 7:00-7:30 pm in Talley, Room 3118 (3rd floor, same building as the Stewart Theatre). There will be audio and video. Come on down!
Ed Stephenson and the Paco Band will give a FREE concert Sunday (1/10), at 3 pm at the North Carolina Museum of History. Cuban soprano Teresa Fernández will sing songs of Spain and Latin America with the nuevo flamenco quartet.
VIDEO: Paco Band at Marsh Woodwinds 9/26/09
One hour program; seating in the NC Musem of History's Daniels Auditorium is limited, so early arrival is recommended.
[VIDEO] Teresa dedicated this tango by Carlos Gardel to a visiting friend from Argentina.
Full review to follow.
UPDATED 10/5:
The scene at Marsh Woodwinds was pretty as a nativity when Paco Band played to a packed house amid exotic bric a brac. The band included leader Ed Stephenson, Chris Hilton and Ryan Johnson, guitars, Peewee "Poquitico" Watson on bass, and Beverly Botsford guesting on percussion. There's no way to bury the sound in here; it's the moment of truth. The flamenco fusion consortium never sounded truer, with Botsford's superior range and spontaneity and Watson's surefoot basslines complementing Stephenson's virtuoso fretboard skills.
"The sound is really friendly," says Beverly, comparing Marsh's intimate performance space to New York jazz clubs.
"It's like a bohemian Blue Note," she says, alluding as much to the decor--things like the tigerskin-covered drum kit mounted into one wall--as to the incredible acoustics.
Teresa Fernández sang with Eda due at the top of the second set, following a snack-filled intermission. (Marsh's hospitality is more like a house party than a formal venue, adding to the mood of proximity.) Teresa, a soprano born in Havana, Cuba, projects fragility and elegance, dressed all in black with a gold coin belt accentuating her slender waist and a lace shawl around her shoulders. Her voice isn't delicate, but clarion and without pretense.
"I like to tease her," says Ed, with Teresa within earshot, when asked what it is he most enjoys about working with the singer.
"The real reason is, she's so authentic. She's so authentic, and she has a beautiful voice, of course," says Ed.
There couldn't be a better place to hear this type of music, or this band. Bonus video:Paco Band played "Hotel California" as an encore. I like this idea of reclaiming pop songs that have elements of flamenco (or some other Latin music) for "traditional" or "classical" or "authentic" performance. It's a way of connecting what listeners already know to something they think of as more foreign or distant.
Ed & Paco Band will again be joined by musical guests Beverly Botsford (percussion) and Teresa Fernández (voice). WHAT: Ed Stephenson & the Paco Band with guests Beverly Botsford and Teresa Fernández (Nuevo Flamenco Fusion) WHEN: 8 pm Saturday 9/26 WHERE: Marsh Woodwinds, 707 N. Person Street, Raleigh NC
The exquisite Teresa Fernández sings a danza here with guitarist Ed Stephenson from the second half of Sunday's program celebrating music of Spain:
Teresa and the Paco Band opened the program with a flamenco stunner, then the tango dancers came out. Here's a clip of Jason and Cecilia:
Adding a modern twist to the 19th-century classical guitar piece "Recuerdos de la Alhambra," dancer Lacy Lowder performed choreography by Carol Finley that seemed to allude to Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms.
Stephenson, a music professor at Meredith College, named Paco Band after his flamenco guitar idol, Paco de Lucia.
"If Paco de Lucia played hockey, I'd probably have to marry him," joked Stephenson, a Canada native.
Rounding out the band on Sunday were guitarist Craig Hilton, bassist Peewee Watson whose americana projects include The Whistlestop, and world percussionist Beverly Botsford, who regularly backs jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon.
Beverly Botsford plays an astounding range of percussion, from the Afro-Cuban congas, bongo and shekere, to the atmospheric and multi-cultural rainsticks, chimes and castanets. Whatever the instrument, she plays it with the verve of a dancer, which is no accident.
"In 1974 when I was in college, I took a course in flamenco, and it just kind of stuck with me," she says.
. Beverly also gave a short history and demonstration of the string cajon, a snare-rigged box used heavily in flamenco as well as Afro Peru and Cuba:
If you want to hear more, Beverly's all-percussion ensemble Tambor Vivo will perform a variety of Latin American rhythms ONE WEEK from Thursday, on (9/24), at Mosaic's free, no-cover monthly Cuban party. (See calendar; this reflects a SCHEDULE CHANGE.)
DAC's "Sunday Salon" was produced by writer, Pulitzer Prize nominee and Indy Arts Award winner Richard Krawiec, who delivers high quality, multi-arts programming to community audiences at low cost.
"This is part of my vision of making the arts vital and accessible," Krawiec says.
Cuba and Canada joined forces Monday to celebrate Spain at Duke's Nasher Museum of Art, in the form of vocal/guitar duo Teresa Fernández and Ed Stephenson. The duo entertained the museum director's guests at a private preview of "El Greco and Velàzquez: Art During the Reign of Philip III," with a program of songs by Agustin Lara, Joaquin Rodrigo, Enrique Granados and others. The exhibition is set to open to the public on Friday (8/22).
Fernández, a Havana native, sings boleros, tangos, arias and chamber works with the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra. She and her husband Gonzalo also perform as danzón dancers with UNC's Charanga Carolina.
Born in Toronto, Stephenson is a North Carolina School of the Arts alum and teaches at Meredith College. The Paco Band is his flamenco-jazz trio, with Sara Romweber and Billy Stewart; he is also a member of the North Carolina Guitar Quartet.
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