Where to Hear Music in Spain

Subject: Where to Hear Music in Spain
From: Bennet Zurofsky
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 03:17 PM

I am planning a trip to Spain in December. Madrid, Seville & Granada are likely stops.

While there, I would like to attend the live performance of music that I am unlikely to be able hear in New Jersey and also to buy recordings of good Spanish performers whose work is not generally available here. My musical interests are not limited to "folk" musics.

Can anyone give me some advice?

Subject: RE: Where to Hear Music in Spain
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 05:02 PM

Ask at your hotel in Madrid about the watering holes and tapa bars near the Plaza Mayor. There are always some with good guitarists. I could never wait for 10PM dinner at my hotel in Madrid, so I snacked at the tapa bars. Sevilla is quite the city now. Again, ask at the hotel and also taxi drivers. There used to be a good one across the river. Performers move around.
Any good record shop in Madrid will help with recordings. Expect to pay plenty for live entertainment outside of the guitarists, etc. in the tapa bars.

Subject: RE: Where to Hear Music in Spain
From: Arbuthnot
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 05:36 PM

In Spain you find that there are a lot of shows of supposedly traditional/flamenco music/dancing that are put on for the tourists. While these are usually a load of rubbish with handclapping, the musicians are as aware of this as anyone, and if asked very politely (EVERYTHING in Spain has to be done politely) will generally point you in the direction of the real thing. On the other hand, Spanish musicians are often not too good at languages, so a crash course in Spanish or a local Englishman are often needed to make the enquiries. As is the time in the location to attend the events.

Subject: RE: Where to Hear Music in Spain
From: wes.w
Date: 15 Nov 01 - 08:29 AM

I think the 'flamenco' type tourist stuff is mainly in the South. I don't know anything about the South, but if you get the chance, go North - there is lots of different stuff up there - Galician, Asturian, Basque etc... and its still very unspoilt.

Subject: RE: Where to Hear Music in Spain
From: weepiper
Date: 15 Nov 01 - 03:42 PM

Regarding cds to look out for;
Oskorri (Basque group, songs in Basque often with weird time signatures and exciting arrangements)
Hevia (Asturian piper, some is quite traditional but mostly electronic/sequencing type backing, stunning musicianship though)
Milladoiro (Galician group, soaring orchestral arrangements, strongly recommended)
Benito Lertxundi (Basque singer, sings sentimental/patriotic songs, beautiful voice and nice arrangements using unusual (to us!) instruments like the txistu and the alboca)
Mikel Urdangarin (Basque singer/songwriter, more popular music than strictly folk but very listenable-to, please buy something by him because my boyfriend gets royalties cos he played the fiddle on his two most recent albums! :-D )
Gosh there are loads more but that should keep you busy for a while!

Subject: RE: Where to Hear Music in Spain
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Nov 01 - 04:31 PM

Well, I never been to Spain, but I kinda' like the music. I hear they got some insane ladies there who really know how to use it without abusing it. Yeah, I reckon they ain't never gonna' lose it and I sure as hell can't refuse it.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Where to Hear Music in Spain
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 Nov 01 - 05:08 PM

If you are into classical music, look for zarzuelas, the oratorio or opera-type performances, many of which are on cds. Record shops will point you toward performances (all in major cities) in season. Literes is one composer whose music is especially listenable.
Jordi Savall and Hesperion XX cds are available here, but there are other groups into old music in Spain. Look for reissues of the older folk singers such as Germaine Montero (she was fabulous!).
If you want to find some shop or performance, ask the concierge at your hotel. Some (that is, SOME) are very knowledgeable. If you are at a pension or accomodation without services, go to a major hotel and tip the concierge liberally, you will get results.
If you are polite (as someone mentioned above), most Spanish are very helpful. In Seville, I wanted to buy a North African gazelle coat for my wife. I spotted a lady about my wife's size, and she very helpfully tried on coats for me.
In the Sevilla area, spend at least one day in Cordoba- the old mosque is exceptional for its interior stonework. It is just as impressive as the Alhambra. In Sevilla walk through the old ghetto, now occupied by well-to-do professionals.
You will be lucky to find top flamenco dancers- they tour a lot. Good guitarists are much more common. They can often be found by walking around areas where people gather for drink and entertainment before or after that late dinner.