Mexico Day
The day begun with morning master classes and it was quite a line up and a sight: Eliot Fisk, Bruce Holzman, Joaquin Clerch, and Rene Izquierdo. It was a powerhouse faculty, and even as I write, one month after the festival, I am still receiving e-mails from participants about how much they enjoyed the varied and high level of teaching.
Our afternoon workshop was led by Robert Bozina and Son Santa Clara from Santa Clara University in California. It was a fascinating workshop that demonstrated the vast scope and breadth of everything between Mexican and Cuban son. The live ensemble included everything from flutes to guitars, to voice to percussion, and of course, dance. Michelle and Bruce Holzman were dancing on the floor at one point, as were some other members in the audience!
The afternoon concert was equally fascinating, presented by Tlen Huicani, an incredible trio from Veracruz, Mexico. I have never heard or seen anything quite like that Mexican folk harp.
The evening concert would be yet another powerful tribute to the Mexican legacy: it began with a reading of the Segovia-Ponce letters, and the first half of the concert featured Santiago Diaz and Zaira Meneses, both performing the music of Manuel Ponce. The readings set up a beautiful mood for the music while the performers were outstanding.
The second half of the concert featured Tlen Huicani in full force, and they left the audience dazed and astounded.
(I noticed a chill as I sat in Jordan Hall that night–the hall was being fed air conditioning! Thank goodness!)
