La Mar de Músicas festival, now in its 28th year, will commence with a homage to the rich folklore of Spain. The inaugural concert, featuring Rozalén and various traditional music groups, will be held on July 14th in Cartagena. Rozalén, an artist from Albacete, will perform songs from her latest album, Matriz, which celebrates the traditional music of Spain. Rozalén will be accompanied by Rodrigo Cuevas, Fetén Fetén duo, Ronda de Motilleja, Ronda de Boltaña, and Eliseo Parra, who is considered a pioneer in documenting, learning, and renewing the folklore of Spain.
To mark her ten years in the music industry, Rozalén collaborated with producer Ismael Guijarro to produce Matriz. The album takes the listener on an emotional and geographical journey through the Iberian Peninsula, with pieces that form part of the collective memory and identity of Spain. The album features songs in Spanish, Galician, Basque, and Catalan, showcasing Rozalén’s love for the diverse cultures of Spain.
Matriz is a labor of love for Rozalén, who recalls her childhood playing the bandurria in her hometown. The album reflects her respect for the elderly and love for diversity and plurality. The songs on the album were inspired by her encounters with fellow artists dedicated to preserving the traditional music of Spain, including Rodrigo Cuevas, with whom she performs the opening song, ‘I love you because I love you,’ and some fandangos from Liétor in the Sierra del Segura.
Both Rozalén and Rodrigo Cuevas have noted in various interviews that traditional music was once confined to its niche, but that has changed, and it is now enjoyed by a broader audience. Rozalén’s performance at the La Mar de Músicas festival reflects this growing appreciation for traditional music.
The album Matriz comprises 21 tracks, with many of them being interludes recorded in the cemetery where Rozalén’s father and grandparents are buried. Rozalén believes that singing folklore is a way of honoring her ancestors and preserving their cultural legacy. The album also features songs with the Fetén Fetén duo, known for their contemporary interpretation of traditional music and popular dance genres.
Eliseo Parra, a renowned singer, multi-instrumentalist, promoter and renovator of traditional Spanish music, is another artist who has influenced Rozalén’s work. Parra, who will retire from the stage this year, will join Rozalén and others in the inaugural concert of La Mar de Músicas festival. Other traditional music groups, including the Ronda de Motilleja from Albacete and the Aragonese ensemble Ronda de Boltaña, will also participate in the celebration of Spain’s rich folklore.
(headline image: Rozalén)
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Author: World Music Central News Room
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