CD Release party/performance at the ADC, Southbridge, MA

March 25, 2006 MA - by Mari, Flameco Buzz

The music of Spain, Latin America, and the United States was performed at Aaron's CD release party. The CD release: "Tracing a Wheel on Water" was celebrated with the show and a reception which also featured the artwork of Debra Ostrokolowicz Horan and Pamela Redick.

Starting out with "Six for a Dance", a contemporary piece, the guitarist moved into "La Catedral" a 3-part number with a haunting and melancholy quality. Then Ms. Granados made her entrance with "Dos Sevilllanas" - a traditional flamenco piece. (Usually 4 coplas, this was danced as 2). The lullaby, "Cancion de Cuna" followed and after that "Fugue BWV 998" by J.S. Bach.

The title track to his CD "Tracing a wheel on water" came next and all I can say is that the composer Kevin Siegfried had penned a composition worthy to be the soundtrack any great indie film. So all you indie filmmakers take note! Get Aaron's latest CD and listen to this great cut!

The most popular and signature classical Spanish song "Asturias" finished this set with Senorita Granados accompanying the guitar. I say that the dancer accompanied the guitar here because that is just so. To see the dancer move to accent the guitarist and not the other way round was refreshing and innovative. Gabriela knows her stuff and used her body as precisely as any musical instrument!

The second set followed a reception for the artist and commenced with "Panaderos Flamencos" by Delgado displaying an excellent command of both guitar and castenents.

The next number "Adagio" by Joaquin Rodrigo allowed Geoffrey Shamu's cornet to positively shine. In fact all three performers were at the top of their game that night. Most enjoyable from the second set was the "7 Songs" by Manuel de Falla and of especial interest to me was song No. 1 "El paño moruno" or the Moorish Cloth, about the problem of damaged goods. A true metaphor for lost love. Again Ms. Granados danced beautifully in the classic Spanish style.

Important for Aaron Larget-Caplan to emphasize: This was a presentation which highlighted Classical Spanish music and dance, something which is not often seen at performances where more tradition flamenco puro or flamenco fusion is offerred. He is a classical guitarist who happens to LOVE flamenco! Inspired while a student at NE Conservatory by Boston's very own Juanito Pascual, Aaron studied with Grisha Goryachev's father Dimitry and also with Eliot Fisk.

Aaron has performed in Spain, Italy, and both US coasts as both a soloist and chamber musician and currently gives private lessons at the New School of Music in Cambridge, the Concord Conservatory of Music, and privately.

You can find out more about Aaron's music and booking information at: www.aaronlc.com and his CD's are also featured on www.cdbaby.com

His choice of Ms. Granados as a dancer for the evening comes from her dedication to Spanish Classical Dance. Having danced ballet and classic in Lima, Peru where under the tutelage of Carmen Amaya's younger sister, María Amaya, she honed her flamenco craft.

She went on to study in Spain under Cristobal Reyes in Madrid and from him learned of the importance of compás. In New York, she worked with such notables as La Tati, Orlando Romero, and María Alba who taught her the importance of handling fans and shawls in the dance, and last but not least the sublime direction of Liliana Morales where she perfected her castenets.

Her dance company, American Bolero Dance Company in Long Island City is dedicated to the preservation and teaching of this classical dance form. You can contact her at ambolero@earthlink.net for more info. Gabriela is not just a spirited dancer, but a passionate and gorgeously beautiful person as well. I hope to see more of her in future!

The show was more that the sum of its parts, and hopefully there will be more of Aaron Larget-Caplan and friends to savor in future.