Solo Concerts feature Ms. Temo’s programs of classical/flamenco guitar and voice, and sometimes an additional flamenco dancer. She has been featured in several guitar festivals and music and guitar series in the US and abroad.These have included: the First World Guitar Congress (where she was also a guest speaker in a symposium with David Russell and Tuck and Patti), Towson, MD; the Blossom Music Festival, Cleveland, OH; the Baltimore, Calgary, and GSFA Classical Guitar Society Series (Pittsburgh, PA); and the Theatre at Washington, VA (where she shared the stage with Gene Bertoncini and Frank Vignola).
Marija Temo in WVIZ/PBS interview on her multi-talents & guitar concerto, “Concierto del Fuego” The composer, Loris Chobanian is also interviewed about his concerto and his comments about Marija Temo.
Highlights of repertoire featured: Marija’s playing and singing arrangement of “Fuistes Mia Un Verano” by Leonardo Favio; Marija’s flamenco singing interpretation of Manuel de Falla’s “Cancion del Amor Dolido” from the El Amor Brujo Suite;”Concierto del Fuego” guitar concerto written for Marija Temo; Marija’s flamenco dancing interpretation to Manuel de Falla’s “Dance of Terror, from the El Amor Brujo Suite.”Courtesy of WVIZ/ PBS”.
A profile of artist Marija Temo and the opening concert of the VCUs first ever flamenco festival. Also: A local guitar maker and the significance of Temos performance in Richmond. Filmed on March 20, 2009 at the VCU Singleton Center for Performing Arts.
Marija Temo in Solo Concert plays her arrangement of Bulerias (melodic variations by different flamenco artists including some of her own). Presented by GSFA Guitar Series. Courtesy by GSFA.
Marija Temo in Solo Concert plays Asturias with some flamenco interpretation (classical guitar piece by Isaac Albeniz ), presented by GSFA Guitar Series. Courtesy by GSFA.
Marija plays and sings her arrangement of “Cancion del Fuego Fatuo” from Manuel de Falla’s El Amor Brujo Suite. Presented by GSFA Guitar Series. Courtesy by GSFA.
Marija Temo in Solo Concert, plays and sings her arrangement of “Fuistes Mia Un Verano” by Leonardo Fabio. Presented by GSFA Guitar Series. Courtesy by GSFA. Inspired by Jose Fernandez, famenco singer.
KDHX Music Review – Flamenco guitarist and vocalist Marija Temo
St. Louis Classical Guitar Society, 10/7/2006
Reviewed by Gary Scott
People who are passionate about what they love are a joy to behold, and their passion is infectious, making all of us cherish the things we love even more. Flamenco guitarist and vocalist Marija Temo certainly falls into that category. Her weekend performances under the auspices of the St. Louis Classical Guitar Society marked her St. Louis debut, hopefully the first of many. Not only did Temo spread her love of the flamenco style, but she also declared herself to be an enthusiastic fan of the St. Louis area, and her words rang with sincerity.
Although still quite young, Temo began her studies of flamenco as a child, having found the rhythm and expressiveness captivating. For many of us, flamenco is indeed the soul of Spanish music, and it is surely one of the greatest gifts that Spain, with all its contributing cultures—Latin, Gypsy, Jewish, Moorish, African–, has bequeathed to us. Unlike those of us who find it difficult enough to master even one performing medium, Temo has studied flamenco guitar, song and dance, and is able to communicate the essence of each.
It can be a challenge to maintain the momentum of a flamenco concert that features only one soloist or a very small group (although those of us who are aficionados would probably never tire of hearing a talented performer), but Temo responded to the challenge by including not just flamenco works, but also traditional Spanish favorites by Albeniz, de Falla and Granados, and even an Argentinian tango. Except for the classical works, most of the pieces were Temo’s own arrangements. Temo was joined on the second half by a local favorite, flamenco dancer Kristina Martinez. The two clearly worked well together, and happily neither overshadowed the other. Martinez is a local talent who should be more widely seen in our community.
Marija Temo’s technical and artistic abilities were impeccable. The beauty of the flamenco style is that it combines aggressive, driving rhythms with subtle and sometimes soft-spoken melodies. Phrasing—perhaps the soul of music—was always intelligent, and was the master of the technique involved, not the other way around. Temo’s accomplishments give credit not only to her own talents, but also to those of her teachers and the Peabody Conservatory, from which she received her master’s degree. Although Temo is above all else a guitarist, her vocal technique should not be underestimated. The flamenco vocal style is a world unto itself, with finely tuned intervals and dynamic gradations. Success in the flamenco style almost requires total immersion into the entire flamenco culture. Indeed, as Temo indicated in a talk on Friday to area schoolchildren, flamenco is a way of life, not only a style.
If I had any criticism at all of the performance, it would be that I would have liked for the guitar to project a little more, even if it required amplification from microphones, and perhaps also I would like to have heard more coloristic effects from the guitar, although this was offset by the addition of dance and vocals to the program. Temo performs on a hybrid classical/flamenco guitar specially designed for her by luthier Tom Rodriguez. The tone is soft and liquid, but here and there a more strident or aggressive tone might serve to highlight even further the more subtle effects that Temo so adroitly achieves.
The St. Louis Classical Guitar Society, under the direction of Bill and Kathy Ash, has long been a strong player in the St. Louis arts scene, as their legions of loyal subscribers will attest. The next scheduled program will feature Spanish guitarist Pablo Sainz-Villegas on November 4 at the Ethical Society. For additional information, contact the Society at 314-567-5566.
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