On Friday, we were delighted to welcome two brilliant Cuban guitarists, Ahmed Dickinson Cárdeňas and Eduardo Martín, to the Merriman Music School. Both presented a wonderful programme of original compositions for guitar duet, all composed by the latter.
Martín’s style has an expansive sense of freedom that taps into jazz, flamenco, pop, Afro and traditional Cuban music, and mirrors the cultural diversity of his homeland. Rhythms and melodies are intricate, vibrant and eclectic. The programme they presented – entitled ‘The Bridge’ – featured a full programme of alluring works for two guitars, where rock merged with son montunos; old Yoruba chants from West Africa, feel-good rumbas, funk-boleros, new age tunes and cinematic pieces. Alongside this, Cuban tumbaos with slap bass and some attractive solo items from his teaching books aimed at young guitarists.
This concert was a wonderful celebration of Cuban musical heritage past and present, performed with style and passion; both players have extensive reputations internationally, are touring this programme across Europe and the Americas, and those lucky enough to hear this concert were treated to one of the most original and inspiring concerts we have hosted in a long time.
Mr R Saxel
