Rita Movsesian Quartet The Armenian-Andalusian Fusion

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Beatrix York
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Rita Movsesian Quartet The Armenian-Andalusian Fusion Rita Movsesian (vocal), David Santos Marina (flamenco- guitar), Steve Berteletti Martín (cajón), Jordi Soler (contrabass) A cultural and musical

1 Rita Movsesian Quartet The Armenian-Andalusian Fusion Rita Movsesian (vocal), David Santos Marina (flamenco- guitar), Steve Berteletti Martín (cajón), Jordi Soler (contrabass) A cultural and musical project that has been started in Austria and Germany 5 years ago is now extended to Andalusia. It focuses on the creative connection of two different, though similar music styles: The Andalusian Flamenco and the traditional songs of Armenia are the objects of an artistic exploration. The main aim of this encounter is to demonstrate how different music styles share common tonal and harmonic basics and enable creative crossovers between its peculiar music cultures. Moreover, the lyrics of both musical hemispheres indicate how close human feelings such as love and hate, death and joy of life, sadness and overwhelming happiness are, and how they express these intensive human experiences with the help of poetry and music despite of their different instrumental and cultural backgrounds. The Rita Movsesian Quartet brings artistry from Armenia, Arabia and Andalusia together: a threedimensional musical project that shows how close Orient and Occident really are, regardless of their historical contraries and prejudgments. It is demonstrated how transnational fusion in music does not necessarily mean a loss of the involved cultural identities but, conversely, how it can contribute to their enrichment and vitality. Presently, the Quartet is being developed under the direction of Rita Movsesian together with the excellent Andalusian musicians David Santos Marina (flamenco-guitar), Jordi Soler (contrabass) and Steve Berteletti (percussion), and last but not least, the special guest and award-winning flamencosinger Manuel Vera Parilla El Quincalla. 1

2 The artistic project is being accompanied by Dr. Gerhard Steingress, professor for Sociology of Culture and Music at the University of Seville. He is the author of numerous scientific publications on flamenco as an artistic manifestation of the Andalusian culture and of hybridisation in contemporary music. His scientific activities include, inter alia, appropriate conferences organized by the Spanish Instituto Cervantes in Munich, Bremen, Utrecht and Ronda. His comprehensive knowledge of the fusion in the music is reflected in the work of the Rita Movsesian Quartet. The members of the Quartet: Rita Movsesian Diaspora-Armenian born in Bagdad (Iraq) and actually living in Austria. Already in her youth in Bagdad she received her first vocal training and interpreted Armenian and Arabic songs. Since 1995 she perfected her initial oriental voice in Salzburg (Austria), where she received classes in classical occidental music at the University of Mozarteum and by famous vocal coaches. In connection with her special dedication to the traditional Armenian and Arabic music, she performed in numerous countries. Her repertoire mainly follows the lyrical and musical tradition of the Armenian troubadours (the Gusans and the Ashughs), quoted and transmitted during the 18 th and 20 th century by famous Armenian composers such like Sayat Nova and Gusan Ashod. Here competence and sensibility toward the Oriental music induced her especially since 2005 to build a bridge between the traditional Armenian music and Andalusian flamenco. In this sense, she founded in Austria the ensemble Flarmenia and recently, in Spain, the Rita Movsesian Quartet. 2

3 David Santos Marina He studied flamenco guitar at the Conservatorio Superior de Música Rafael Orozco in Córdoba. Between 1991 and 1998 he collaborated with the Ballet Giralda de Sevilla. Performances in Italy, France, Portugal, Germany, Lithuania, Tunisia, Israel, Kuwait and the USA. Guitarrist of the Flamenco Society Mazaco in Coria del Rio (Sevile). His special interest in the connection of the flamenco with other music styles was recompensed with several artistic awards of Andalusian music in the modality of the flamenco fusion. Between 2003 and 2010 he worked as a professor for guitar at several Andalusian institutions, and at the present time he is professor for flamenco guitar at the Conservatorio Profesional de Música Cristóbal de Morales in Seville. Founder of the David Santos Quintet. Steve Berteletti Martín French-Spanish musician (flamenco guitar and cajón). Already in his youth, his Andalusian mother introduced him to the flamenco music. Between 2007 and 2011 he studied flamenco guitar at the Conservatorio Profesional Cristóbal de Morales in Seville. Before that he already worked with masters such as Enrique de Melchor, El Tomate de Córdoba, El Merengue de Córdoba, Juan del Gastor, as well as Miguel Iglesia. Since 2011 he performs as a percussionist in David Santos Quintet. Currently he is a professor for flamenco guitar at the cultural society of Alcalá del Rio (Seville). He is experienced in the fusion of flamenco with Algerian and Breton music. 3

4 Jordi Soler Born in Lleida (Catalonia). He studied contrabass at the Conservatori Municipal de Música in Lleida and is graduated from the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya. Further studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Zurich. Former member of the Youth Orchestra of Spain and Catalonia, as well as the Gran Teatre del Liceu. He collaborated with the Orchestra of Barcelona and the National Orchestra of Catalonia, the Simfònica del Vallès and Ciudad de Almería, among others. He plays the contrabass in the David Santos Quintet and is devoted to the flamenco fusion. Presently, he is a professor for contrabass at the Conservatorio Profesional de Música Cristóbal de Morales in Seville. Guest Singer: Manuel Vera Parilla El Quincalla Born in Paradas (Seville) within a family of flamencosingers. His professional career as a flamenco singer began at the age of 18 years with the Ballet de Andalucía Pepe Moreno. He toured worldwide as a member of Salvador Távora s flamenco-theatre La Cuadra. Performances in the flamenco-clubs of Seville "Curro Vélez" and "La Cuadra". He sung the liviana primitiva in the movie Carmen of Vicente Aranda. He dominates all flamenco styles and has always fascinated his audience. He is a winner of numerous awards as for example that of the festivals in La Unión (Tonás and Siguiriya), in Mairena del Alcor (Bulerias por Soleá), in Mijas (Primer Premio Velero de la Unión del Cante. He is Primer Premio Peña Flamenca «La Soleá» de Bollullos, Primer Premio del Concurso Nacional de Cante Flamenco "Sierra de Hornachos". He participated in various music productions. 4

5 Contacts In Austria: Rita Movsesian In Spain: David Santos Marina ) 5

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