Communication: The Key to Getting Ahead in the Vocal Music World by Elena Greco March 22, 2016 Vocal technique, performance skills, summer programs, young artist programs, networking—all are important in furthering a vocal career. But there is another important piece that is too often neglected—one that can make or break a career—and that is communication. Communication is the currency with…
THE FLAVOR OF SPAIN™ MUSIC OF BASQUE COUNTRY by Elena Greco December 1, 2015 The Basque Country (“País Vasco,” or “Euskadi”) in northeast Spain is a region that is split across two countries: Spain and France. The origins of the beautiful Basque people are unknown. Their genes do not match any others in the world. Not Latin in heritage, their…
THE FLAVOR OF SPAIN™ MUSIC OF GALICIA by Elena Greco November 10, 2015 When people think of Spain, they usually think of the Andalusian or Catalan cultures. But Spain is so much more! For example, Galicia is an autonomous community that lies at the far northwest corner of Spain, bordering Portugal. Although modern, it has many ancient architectural sites and…
THE FLAVOR OF SPAIN™ This Week’s Spanish Composer: JOAQUÍN TURINA (1882-1949) by Elena Greco October 6, 2015 Born in Seville and of Italian heritage, Joaquin Turina spent much of his life in Madrid. He studied with Vincent D’Indy, and was influenced by Albéniz, De Falla and Debussy. More attuned to formal compositional style than the folk style of De Falla, he did…
THE FLAVOR OF SPAIN™ This Week’s Spanish Composer: AMADEU VIVES I ROIG (1871-1932) by Elena Greco September 30, 2015 A major figure in Spanish music, sometimes called the “Spanish Puccini” because of his lyricism, doubtless inspired by bel canto, Catalan composer Amadeu Vives created over a hundred zarzuelas, the best known of which is probably DOÑA FRASQUITA. Also a writer,…
On Singing: My Philosophy of Teaching Voice by Elena Greco February 5, 2016 Being a singer poses demands that no other professional has to face. With an instrument that is both organic and sentient, there are unique challenges. Also, like acting, singing is a profession fraught with rejection. And in modern times, it is very much a business, and the…
THE FLAVOR OF SPAIN™ This Week’s Spanish Composer: MANUEL DE FALLA (1876-1946) by Elena Greco September 2, 2015 Manuel de Falla, one of the best-known Spanish composers, was born in Cadiz of a Valencian father and a Catalonian mother. De Falla was extremely dedicated to the study and propagation of Spanish music. His compositions are totally representational of the Spanish sound,…
THE FLAVOR OF SPAIN™ This Week’s Spanish Composer: RAFAEL TABOADA Y MANTILLA (1837-1914) by Elena Greco August 25, 2015 Born in Cadiz, Rafael Taboada was a very popular composer in the salons of Madrid. He studied music with pianist/composer José Miré, and was a composer and a voice teacher at the Escuela Nacional de Música. He published numerous collections of…
THE FLAVOR OF SPAIN™ This Week’s Spanish Composer: JESÚS GURIDI (1904-1953) by Elena Greco August 18, 2015 Composer, pianist, organist and violinist Jesús Guridi was born in Vitoria-Gasteiz near Bilbao in the Basque Country. His mother was a violinist and his father a pianist. A student of d’Indy, he was a prolific composer, although better known for his orchestral works…
THE FLAVOR OF SPAIN™ This Week’s Spanish Composer: JESÚS GARCÍA LEOZ (1904-1953) by Elena Greco August 11, 2015 Born in Navarre, Jesús García Leoz spent much of his life in Madrid. An accomplished concert pianist, he studied composition with Joaquin Turina, and was apparently one of Turina’s favorite pupils. After successfully composing cinema soundtracks prolifically for a decade, Leoz turned…
