17 May 2012

Flamenco here we come!

1/02/2012 9:44:00 a.m.

2 Comments

FAST-FINGERED Paul Bousader practices flamenco guitar for up to eight hours a day in a flurry of impassioned staccato notes. Bousader, of Lebanese heritage and raised in Auckland, has devoted himself to mastering the energetic art from the Andulasian region of southern Spain. Andalusia, just across the straits from the northern tip of Africa, is a cultural melting pot, and the fiery flamenco tradition was born as the musical outlet of the working classes in a place where Gypsies, Jews, Arabs and indigenous Andulasians coexisted. The songs that developed were expressions of both the joy and the sorrows of daily life.
Flamenco is a tripartite art; it combines elements of guitar (toque), song (cante), and dance (baile). Bousader, 33, was taught guitar by his father and older brother, but was introduced to the flamenco style later on while travelling overseas.
“I wanted to see what was out there. I went to New York, San Francisco and Lebanon, singing and playing,” Bousader says, “In Beirut I heard a flamenco guitarist. I was blown away. I left my job and bought a ticket to Spain. Flamenco here we come! That was seven or eight years ago.”
A musical upbringing meant that pursuing music seemed like “a very natural” thing to do. Bousader says, however, that with flamenco there is a wide repertoire to learn, and complex ‘palos’, musical forms such as rhythm, mode and stanza that take a lifetime to master. He has played all over Spain and studied with several flamenco maestros and is currently completing an Honours degree in Performing Arts in Barcelona under the guidance of Rafael Cañizares.
Bousader is back in New Zealand to perform with the local Desde Sevilla Flamenco Dance Company. The colourful show Esencia del Flamenco, featuring Spanish singer Cristina Lopez Gomez and brightly costumed local dancers, includes a dialogue about the rise of the Spanish Civil War. Bousader is proud of it.
“I’m happy that I’m bringing what I’ve learnt back to New Zealand,” he says, “There aren’t many people doing it here, but the flamenco that is here is beautiful.”
Bousader will finish his Honours degree in two and a half years but after that he intends to keep up his intensive schedule.
He quotes 90s flamenco guitarist Sabicas who said, ‘It takes 20 years to learn how to play flamenco guitar. It takes 20 years to learn how to play with a singer. It takes 20 years to learn how to play with a dancer. Then after 60 years you’ll know what you need to learn.’
“I think he’s underestimating it.”
Esencia del Flamenco, Circa Theatre, to February 5.
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2 Comments

Don't worry, we wont make this public

Father George at 9:17 p.m. on 3 February said

Proud of you all speciall Paul and Christina... great to see...

Mary Bosauder at 9:57 p.m. on 3 February said

I am ever so proud of you Paul and Christina, you are amazing both of you.
Paul you are very talented dedicated inspirational since you were young I loved your music and your beautiful voice and now with our beautiful Christina's beautiful voice make me so uplifted and ever so proud of you
God Bless you both

Cover Story

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