Ian Waller visits the Wiltshire Music Centre for the return of a flamenco great
Juan Martín was voted as one of the top three flamenco guitarists in the World by Guitar Player USA and it felt such an honour to have the great man gracing the stage at the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon.
Martín is now in his mid-70s and has been touring the world with his beautiful blend of flamenco styles for the past 50 years. For his latest return to the WMC, he kept the stage bare and minimum – just him, a chair and guitar, and a collection of microphones to relay the performance. The result, however, was stunning – a wonderful hour plus of beautiful technique, masterful playing and absolute charm from a storyteller in words and music.
This was my first visit back to the WMC in a while and immediately I was questioning why it had taken so long to return. There’s so much to like about this Wiltshire venue, starting with the free car park – which for a Bath resident like me is an incredible novelty – to the warm welcome from the team, the wonderful concert hall itself and the promise of a rich variety of talent to come throughout the year.
Back to Juan, however, and what a wonderful way to end a busy week. Throughout the two sets, he took his audience through a tour of techniques and the areas they came from, from Jerez to Madrid and Barcelona, and even a trip to Morocco, from rural playing to sophisticated flamenco.
With each piece, his charm and storytelling prowess shone through. It was great to learn that as a young man fresh and confident in Madrid, he met his flamenco hero Niño Ricardo and took every opportunity to learn his art from him. Then was his almost embarrassment at having played Top of the Tops with Henry Mancini’s Theme From the Thorn Birds, before eagerly returning to his love of flamenco.
However, it was his playing that the almost sold-out crown had come to see and the skill and sublime touch were still very evident. OK, yes, there were a few rough notes along the way, but genius deserves a little in the way of patience, and whenever Martín hit his stride, the result was beautiful and passionate.
Focusing mainly on self-composed pieces, there is a clear love of his work that embraces this audience as well – as well as admiring his skills, you just like the man as well. The touch of his playing, and the unique sound and style that he creates is so personal that even with your eyes closed it can’t be anyone else but Juan Martín.
This was a real treat of Friday night out at a great venue and in the presence of a maestro. And with folk violin of Eliza Carthy & The Restitution, classical piano from Clare Hammond and the hair raising musical maelstrom of Blazin’ Fiddles to come at the WMC in just the next few weeks alone, it won’t be long before I’m back again.
For more details of upcoming shows at the Wiltshire Music Centre, go to www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk