On November 8th, I attended the concert of one of the most renowned Uruguayan guitarists in the world, Eduardo Fernández, along with an opening show by the young, up and coming Mexican guitarist Ivan Resendiz. This performances took place at the Instituto Cervantes as a part of the 13th annual Chicago Latino Music Festival. Attending this concert was very inspirational and educational for me and allowed me to experience multiple cultures as one time such as classical music from Latin America, Spain, and Mexico. All the regions have a mix of African roots, European, and Native American influences. This concert was also very unique because instead of attending a typical singing and dancing type of concert, this concert was based off of one instrument, the guitar.
Fernández is a classical guitarist, composer, and teacher. Fernandez’s focuses on playing classical Spanish and Latin American music. While Resendiz is a young Mexican guitar teacher who is making waves in the hispanic guitar playing world. While attending the concert, the setting of the concert was very aesthetically pleasing to me. Resendiz opened up the show and the stage was black and in the background, there was a big red colored sign that said “Instituto Cervantes” in white print. Resendiz was sitting on a very low seated brown colored chair with his large tan and light brown guitar, strumming along to beautifully written classical Spanish music. After Resendiz finished, Fernández then showed up to the black stage that was well lit up. Fernández’s guitar was a little darker in color but it still played just as beautiful music. It was clear that this was going to be an adventurously exhilarating, intimate, and friendly concert.
Based on the program, Resendiz played various compositions including: “Preludios Epigramáticos” by Leo Brouwer, “Porro from Suite Colombiana No. 4” by Gentil Montaña and “Navidad Negra.” But Resendiz opened up the concert by performing a post- romantic era classic Spanish song called “Sevilla” by Isaac Albeniz. Although this song was first played on the piano, its transcribed guitar performance is considered on of the most important classical guitar works. This song was played in G major and it was my favorite piece from Resendiz because this song had a fast paced upbeat tempo and allegro the whole time, which I enjoyed.
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Resendiz preceded Fernández on the stage. Fernández is known as one of the top five classical guitarists in the worlds who also performed various complications of songs with the fusion of Spanish, Latin American, folk and popular music, including: “Tema Variado y Final” by Manuel M. Ponce, “Sonata op. 22 (Allegro, Adagio, Minueto, Rondó: Allegro)” by Fernando Sor and “12 Etudes” by Heitor Villa-Lobos. All the songs were very exciting to listen to, however, my favorite classic song from Fernández was the Latin American (Brazilian) song “12 Etudes” from the 12 piece movement since Fernández played the song in a way I have never seen done before. This song was very bold and intriguing since Fernández made unique sounds from the guitar by sliding his fingers up and down the neck of the guitar. The dynamic usage of piano and forté with beams and tied notes was pleasing to not only listen to, but to watch.
Listening to the two guitarist pour their hearts and souls into creating beautiful music derived by their personal connections to their Latin America, Spain, Mexican, hispanic folk, and contemporary music roots made be feel connected to the storylines of the music through their guitars. It was fascinating to listen to such diverse hispanic music because it allowed me respect the authenticity and understand these various Spanish-speaking countries on a whole new level.
