Daniel Martinez Flamenco Fringe Edinburgh Fringe 2022 August 20th Review
Daniel Martinez Flamenco Company, at the Yotel Queen Street is one of three, 5-star shows led by the young, master flamenco guitarist, at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022. The maestro is joined by two show stopping flamenco singers Inma Montero (cantaora) and Danielo Olivero (cantaor) and the fiery passion of dancer Gabriela Pouso.
The four souls on stage, joined by a love of Flamenco, discovered each other living in Edinburgh, and created this truly authentic flamenco show and naturally rejoice in this synergistic creative endeavor That joy and symbiotic artistry, is palpable sitting in the audience (sipping a glass of Spanish wine).
Daniel says ‘Flamenco is a philosophy of life’ an ancient culture the Company honours (Flamenco was assigned World Heritage by UNESCO, in 2010) and respectfully develops with contemporary compositions, by Daniel Martinez from his award-winning production, The Art of Believing.
The room is set in a relaxed cabaret style, reflecting the ‘tablao’ culture (traditional flamenco venues from across Andalucía) where Daniel himself began performing, as a teenager. Those that pre-booked could also enjoy tapas and wine during the show, adding to the relaxed flavour of the night.
Daniel was born with a guitar in his hand. He studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Music in Cordoba in Spain aged 7, and it shows. He steals onto stage quietly and performs with the intimacy of watching someone play through their repertoire in their living room. No loud machoistic entrance, we quickly get the sense that whilst Daniel Martinez is clearly a master of his Art there is a humility and generosity in his approach. This is a Company, a collective of performers, and each is an expert in their own art – of song, dance and music.
Joined by the singers and dancer, I was struck by the vast array of creative dimensions produced by four people and a guitar. Flamenco is music, song and dance of the people and what was so beautiful was the balance of complexity of melody, rhythm and movement, with the natural simplicity of the art form.
Throughout the show, Daniel is the musical engine room and yet he shares the limelight fully with his friends. Every performer makes their own imprint and personal seal on the evening from the heart wrenching and wonderful hoarse cry that is distinct to Flamenco singing, sweetened at times by the harmonies. It made me think this was the blues in another form; huge sound, big lungs with a demanding tone that was gripping and arm tingling stuff.
The passion, strength and elegance of Gabriela’s dance expresses the feeling of each piece, and we see in Flamenco dance that every part of the body, face, and colours of clothes are designed to share the emotion of the music, whether it is sad, dark and satirical or Festive fun.
As an audience member, witnessing the joy and connection on stage is infectious. The mutual respect between the performers in the Company is evident. Flamenco follows some clear traditions and one of those is the importance of artistic expression and improvisation. So, it is fascinating to watch how they carefully follow and support each other as they flow through the programme. This keeps the energy fresh, raw and alive, celebrating life in the moment.
Daniel quietly opens the show and at the end gives us a glimpse of his vocal talents when he sings a short piece and shows us not only the dexterity of his playing, but his beautiful, sweet and melodic voice, once again demonstrating Daniel’s natural understatement and ability to put the art first before himself, leaving space for others in the Company and audience alike.
One for your Fringe list this year, the show is on until 29th August.
And for Flamenco lovers you can also see the Daniel Martinez Flamenco Company Andalucía, joined by a Chamber Orchestra, at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh on Sunday 5th February 2023.
Review by Lorna Reid (c) 2022
www,artsreviewsedinburgh.com
The four souls on stage, joined by a love of Flamenco, discovered each other living in Edinburgh, and created this truly authentic flamenco show and naturally rejoice in this synergistic creative endeavor That joy and symbiotic artistry, is palpable sitting in the audience (sipping a glass of Spanish wine).
Daniel says ‘Flamenco is a philosophy of life’ an ancient culture the Company honours (Flamenco was assigned World Heritage by UNESCO, in 2010) and respectfully develops with contemporary compositions, by Daniel Martinez from his award-winning production, The Art of Believing.
The room is set in a relaxed cabaret style, reflecting the ‘tablao’ culture (traditional flamenco venues from across Andalucía) where Daniel himself began performing, as a teenager. Those that pre-booked could also enjoy tapas and wine during the show, adding to the relaxed flavour of the night.
Daniel was born with a guitar in his hand. He studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Music in Cordoba in Spain aged 7, and it shows. He steals onto stage quietly and performs with the intimacy of watching someone play through their repertoire in their living room. No loud machoistic entrance, we quickly get the sense that whilst Daniel Martinez is clearly a master of his Art there is a humility and generosity in his approach. This is a Company, a collective of performers, and each is an expert in their own art – of song, dance and music.
Joined by the singers and dancer, I was struck by the vast array of creative dimensions produced by four people and a guitar. Flamenco is music, song and dance of the people and what was so beautiful was the balance of complexity of melody, rhythm and movement, with the natural simplicity of the art form.
Throughout the show, Daniel is the musical engine room and yet he shares the limelight fully with his friends. Every performer makes their own imprint and personal seal on the evening from the heart wrenching and wonderful hoarse cry that is distinct to Flamenco singing, sweetened at times by the harmonies. It made me think this was the blues in another form; huge sound, big lungs with a demanding tone that was gripping and arm tingling stuff.
The passion, strength and elegance of Gabriela’s dance expresses the feeling of each piece, and we see in Flamenco dance that every part of the body, face, and colours of clothes are designed to share the emotion of the music, whether it is sad, dark and satirical or Festive fun.
As an audience member, witnessing the joy and connection on stage is infectious. The mutual respect between the performers in the Company is evident. Flamenco follows some clear traditions and one of those is the importance of artistic expression and improvisation. So, it is fascinating to watch how they carefully follow and support each other as they flow through the programme. This keeps the energy fresh, raw and alive, celebrating life in the moment.
Daniel quietly opens the show and at the end gives us a glimpse of his vocal talents when he sings a short piece and shows us not only the dexterity of his playing, but his beautiful, sweet and melodic voice, once again demonstrating Daniel’s natural understatement and ability to put the art first before himself, leaving space for others in the Company and audience alike.
One for your Fringe list this year, the show is on until 29th August.
And for Flamenco lovers you can also see the Daniel Martinez Flamenco Company Andalucía, joined by a Chamber Orchestra, at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh on Sunday 5th February 2023.
Review by Lorna Reid (c) 2022
www,artsreviewsedinburgh.com