El Correo
The latest adventure by Música Prima features a mixture of popular songs and court music from a variety of countries including Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Peru and Spain…Avoiding any excessive embellishment and focusing simply on the unpretentious poetic recitations by Orozco, the group offered a splendid recital which will no doubt be a key part of their repertoire for a long time to come.
A wonderful, restrained concert marked by the character of the jester, this programme entitled “from Indigenous Music to that of the Court” offers moments of breathtaking beauty such as the anonymous piece Ay linda amiga, the celebrated song Convidando está la noche, or the processional tunes by the popular Peruvian composer Hanac Pachap.
And what is there to say about la Chacona de Arañés? Forget the typical artificial and operatic versions and enjoy the spontaneous style of the ensemble, which has recently incorporated as guest artist the viol player Johanna Rose, with her full, vibrant sound. When exploration, restraint and aesthetic precision all come together, as they do in Música Prima, the result can only be magical performances such as this. We sincerely hope and pray that the work will be repeated at some time during the current season.
Diario de Sevilla
Música Prima gave a touch of popular atmosphere to the Femás festival with a concert which offered
a vision of the musical heritage which resulted from the mixture of influences generated by the Europeans arriving in the Americas. From a Sioux invocation to the sun to chants with an
unmistakable Andean flavour compiled by Navarran prelate Martinez de Compañón in the Códice Trujillo, the performance was a well-judged journey through the finer points of multi- ethnic music, a
genre in which one has to tread carefully to avoid frivolity or the typical condescending attitude to native culture.
The ensemble, led by Francisco Orozco, has been treading this tricky path for years and they do so by focusing on a popular approach which allows Orozco to move freely through different vocal ranges, while the rest of the group explores the rich possibilities for tonal combinations and improvisation. The end result is a wonderfully colourful and festive fantasy.
ABC
Yesterday, the stage opposite the Grutescos gallery, where all the season’s concerts have taken place, was filled by the artistry of three marvellous musicians: the Colombian actor, narrator, singer and lute player Francisco Orozco, viol player Fahmi Alqhai, and percussionist, Álvaro Garrido. We have seen and heard them all before, performing both individually and together in larger ensembles, and we have always been highly impressed by their skills in their respective fields. The programme which featured pieces dating from the beginning of the 13th century to the 16th century was characterised by its variety, and enriched by Orozco’s evocative and humorous recitations.… This diversity, which filled the gardens with memories of other periods, places and lives, reminded us of our roots, both near and far, whilst fulfilling the function of all authentic music. It took us on a magical journey through the wider world, an expedition led by three exceptional musicians, which ultimately brought us back to our innermost selves. We were led by three great interpreters.
Diario de Sevilla
The world of classical music is usually characterised by a sense of seriousness created by the stern and concentrated demeanour of the performers (normally attired in sombre, dark outfits), and the stillness of the audience, who are absorbed in a kind of silent trance of spiritual or aesthetic pleasure…The concert offered on Tuesday by Música Prima was however very different to what we are accustomed. Recreating the spirit of medieval jesters, itinerant narrators, and court buffoons (or people of pleasure, as they were generally called), Orozco and his fellow musicians offered a very personal interpretation of the adventures and misadventures of the Ingenious Gentleman from La Mancha, enriched by the musical pieces of the period. … Orozco is a consummate all-round artist, a true showman who can sing, play, recite or improvise whilst making the audience laugh at the same time… On percussion, the ubiquitous Álvaro Garrido, who also demonstrated his talent for improvisation with tambourines, finger cymbals and cow-bells. The result was a kind of renaissance jam session in which, for once, humour and laughter were as important as the music itself.
ABC
Francisco Orozco, from Colombia,was without doubt the focus of attention. Apart from playing the baroque guitar and lute, with his exceptionally fine voice, when singing both naturally and falsetto, and particularly his marvellous acting skills and unique sense of “historic” humour, he made us feel as if we had travelled back to the settings and times in which the adventures of the infamous Quixote had taken place.
However, Orozco’s task would have been impossible without the invaluable accompaniment of viol player Fahmi Alqhai or percussionist Álvaro Garrido, with his tireless efforts to discover new ways of creating sounds. Contrary to what tends to take place in this type of concert, the musicians did not simply limit themselves to performing the works included in the programme one by one: the pieces were linked together and merged into one another … but the most important aspect of all was the way that the whole performance was perfectly structured and performed with great grace and charm. The encore was a goliardic jest dedicated to love and sensuality. The audience were enraptured.
A
A