Berta Rojas © 2009 nickwb.com
Through very good fortune and a lucky twist of fate, a rather wild and windswept Bristol had the pleasure of hosting a concert by Paraguay’s premiere guitarist Berta Rojas.
Unperturbed by the pessimistic forecast of storm force winds, a very full audience was treated to an evening full of warmth, sensitivity and magic, beginning the very moment Ms Rojas stepped onto the stage.
Played with crystal clear articulation, Vincent Lindsey Clark’s Laura provided a cheerful, bright and mischievous opening, introducing us to Ms Rojas’ flawless technique. The clarity of her interpretation allowed us to follow the music’s main motif with ease as Vincent wound it cleverly through the work.
Preludio (Tema de Alicia) from Pasaje Abierto by the Costa Rican guitarist Edín Solís was played with a deep serenity and warmth. The accessible harmonies that continued in the gently syncopated rhythms of the Danza, with its more rapid notes, once again displayed Ms Rojas’ stunningly meticulous technique and pin-sharp musical placement.
The intensely incandescent playing and beautiful phrasing present in the evening’s performance was fully evident in the Canción Hacia Vos of Argentina’s Quique Sinesi as well as in Mother by Byeong Woo Lee. The mature, spacious phrasing, particularly in the latter piece, is something I believe many an interpreter of music strives to create. It is one of those truly elusive things that, when hearing, seems so palpable yet only few musicians really achieve.
Sinesi’s somewhat funky Cielo Abierto was superbly played, the syncopation and catchy theme being able to speak for itself, uninterrupted, thanks to Ms Rojas’ cool, calm, unfussy and seemingly effortless approach. Gismonti’s Frevo and Baião Malandro followed with the same excellent execution and feel.
In the music of Agustín Barrios that followed in the second half, it seemed that all the qualities of Ms Rojas’ musicianship fell completely into place to sit perfectly in the hands of Paraguay’s great composer. The elegance, grace, rhythm, warmth, strength, sadness and humour were stunningly balanced in what would seem a perfect combination of composer and performer. The result? A truly magical performance. I am sure that everybody present at the concert would like to send their most enormous thanks to Berta Rojas for her warmth, giving and grace and for a truly memorable evening.
Berta Rojas in Concert. Copyright © 2009 Nick Wilcox-Brown
Hayley Savage, November 2009
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