The Redfern Arts Center got a dose of Latin rhythm on Nov. 12 with “Tangos, Fandangos, and Boleros” led by Professor Emeritus José Manuel Lezcano, accompanied by lecturer Virginia Eskin and colleagues.
The program featured Lezcano playing classical guitar and Eskin playing piano and viola, showcasing a range of Latin and classical composers’ works with a mix of solo piano, solo guitar and multi-instrumental pieces.
Notable pieces include two sonata duets performed by Lezcano and Eskin, a collaboration with colleagues Sharon Meyer and Rony Levy on violin and David Gruender on cello for a performance of Vivaldi’s “Guitar Concerto in D Major.”
Lezcano featured the “Buena Vista Social Club Suite,” a trio of pieces he arranged for solo guitar, and two original pieces, “Etude-Homage to Bill Evans” and “Bolero Manaba,” performed during the guitar solo set.
As a regular of the KSC faculty recitals circuit, Lezcano said he has performed one nearly every year, save a few exceptions; he also spoke about his approach to arranging them.
“I like to collaborate with other people,” said Lezcano. “If it’s just a guitar concert, [it is] a nice thing, but I think you draw a lot more people, you create a lot more interest if you have other instruments.”
First-year student Jasper Murphy, a music tech major, enjoyed the change in atmosphere the performance brought.
“You don’t get a lot of string instruments in performances around here. It was nice to have something [else],” said Murphy. “We mostly have voice and [woodwind and brass instruments].” Murphy added that students who take music workshop get credit for attending performances.
Timothy Fitzpatrick can be contacted at
