Havana Pays Tribute to Guitar

05/15/2004 07:05PM

(Prensa Latina - Cumbancha) Havana.- Every other year, Havana pays tribute to the guitar, that wonderful and generous instrument which combines harmony and melody. On Saturday, the latest edition of an event that began in 1982 with a series of Festival-Contests rooted in Cuban music life, opened in the Cuban capital. Founded and directed by Leo Brouwer, one of the world's most important living guitar composers, the Festival enlists renowned professors and national and foreign guitarists. Havana guitar lovers take part in the lectures, colloquiums, exhibits and concerts, which satisfy the most demanding audiences and musicians. The contestants in the 12th International Leo Brouwer Guitar Festival-Contest face hard tests, some obligatory and some optional, but all of great technical complexity. The list of distinguished past participants includes John Williams, Costas Cotsiolis, Paco de Lucía, Manolo Sanlúcar, Jesus Ortega, Robert Aussel, Alirio Diaz, Vicente Amigo, Ichiro Suzuki, Pepe Romero, Eliot Fisk, Timo Korhonen, Pavel Steidl, Garreth Walter, Clerch, Alvaro Pierri, Eli Kassner, Shin-Ichi Fukuda, Victor Pellegrini, Paolo Paolini, Eduardo Fernandez and Guitar Quartet.

Talented guitarist Robert Vidal commented: "Leo's influence has been like a lighthouse, a center of attention to concentrate in Havana guitarists from so many countries." For his part, virtuoso Costas Cotsiolis said, "I think the contest and festival, if not the best of the world, is, at least, one of the most important. Celebrities of famous prestige and artistic authorities in the guitar are here, Leo Brouwer is here." In that same line of thinking, specialist Juan Helguera stated: "It is a biennial festival that awakens our support, admiration and sympathy, and shows the moral strength of the country organizing it." The draw took place Saturday, followed by the first test Sunday. The second and third rounds are set for Tuesday and Wednesday. The awards ceremony is scheduled for Friday May 14. Many of the past edition's 36 winners are now world guitar greats.

[Photo: Paco de Lucia].

World Music Central
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20040515190559258