blogs/cantor-phil-baron

Andalusian Music and the Music of Adam Del Monte

On February 22 and 23, you will have the opportunity to hear music rarely played in the synagogue �' and played brilliantly by a world-renowned musician.

The music has its roots in Andalusia, a region of Spain, and you may recognize it as flamenco, that exciting, energetic Spanish music, usually played on guitar and danced with great emotion, pulsating rhythm and agility.

The musician is Adam Del Monte, one of this generation's leading guitarists, specializing in both flamenco and classical music. He has studied with the world's greatest guitar masters in Spain, Israel and England. He has performed in the greatest concert halls across the globe. His music is expressive, thrilling and electric.

But, is it Jewish Music?

Well, yes, it is. As they did with so many varieties of music, from folk, to musical theater and even rock ‘n roll, Jews both influenced and absorbed Andalusian music during the centuries of Spanish settlement. But in the late 15^th century, mass resettlements of Muslims and Sephardi Jews from Cordoba, Sevilla, Valencia, and Granada fled the Reconquista (the expulsion from Spain) and carried the music with them on their backs.

In his book "Jews of Andalusia and the Maghreb" on the musical traditions in Jewish societies of North Africa, Haïm Zafani writes: "In the Maghreb (much of the region of western North Africa, west of Egypt), the Muslims and Jews have piously preserved the Spanish-Arabic music .... In Spain and Maghreb, Jews were ardent maintainers of Andalusian music and the zealous guardians of its old traditions ...."

Adam Del Monte was born in Tel Aviv, but his passion for this ancient musical tradition drew him to Spain, where he lived for many years. His thrilling performances have earned him praise from critics and many awards and kudos from professionals across the globe.

I asked Adam to tell me a bit about his upcoming concert here at VBS:

“The program is mostly a selection of my flamenco compositions and a special rendition of Los Bilbilokos combined with Granaina, a flamenco cante jondo form. Flamenco has Sephardic melismas imbedded in it by the very nature of Jews having lived in Spain for 1,500 years. The selections in the program, especially the two dance numbers are the most fundamental and traditional forms that have the most "Chazanish" influence and feel to them, namely: Solea and Seguiriya.”

So this coming weekend, we have two opportunities to hear Adam Del Monte and hisFlamenco music. The first is during our musaf service (about 11:15 am) on Saturday morning, February 22, when he will join Chris Hardin and myself in leading prayer, giving us a small taste, a forschpeis of his remarkable gift. Then on Sunday, February 23 at 7:30 pm, there will be a full concert of his exciting Andalucian flamenco. The concert is sponsored by the Jewish Music Commission of Los Angeles and will be held here at VBS.

I hope you will join us.