Sounds of Spanish guitar set for BMI

THE leading female voice of the global Spanish guitar scene is set to bring her talents to Ballarat.

Andrea González Caballero will perform at the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute as part of her Six Strings, One Heart Australian concert tour on Friday 7 July.

Known as a prodigy, González Caballero was the youngest guitarist ever to win the prestigious Alhambra International Guitar Competition in Valencia, Spain in 2016.

She said the Ballarat show is not just an opportunity for her to share her art with the community, but to present a part of her culture, and expose local audiences to Spanish composers.

“The Spanish music is power but also sensibility, and these two components make the audience connect with the music immediately,” Gonzalez Caballero said.

“I am very happy to visit Australia and get to know better the people from each of the cities I will visit.

“It is my first time in the country and I am eager to discover everything; people, culture, food, landscapes.”

Her set list includes Francisco Tárrega’s Fantasy on themes from La Traviata, F.M. Torroba’s Castles of Spain, Manuel de Falla’s Miller’s Dance and Spanish Dance La Vida Breve, and works by Isaac Albéniz.

González Caballero said she enjoys experimenting when she performs and chases a particular feeling.

“Every time I go on stage, I try to remember and connect with those moments that I felt I really was into the music,” she said.

“It does not happen every time you want, but there are moments that I feel a connection between me, the instrument and the audience that are special.

“I guess, this is what keeps me motivated to continue evolving and experimenting with the music and the instrument.”

Spanish guitar has a versatile sound and is something González Caballero said is dear to her countrymen.

“You can bring to a more chill environment and sing with it, or you can play a classical music repertoire on it,” she said.

“I think it is unique because the guitar transmits a pure and warm sound, a very pleasant sound to our ears.”

For those new to the world of classical guitar, González Caballero recommends they listen to Francisco Tárrega’s Recuer dos de la Alhambra.

“It is a captivating, very beautiful, and deep melody,” she said. “I think it is an evocative piece that if you close your eyes, it transports you to Spain.”

Visit bit.ly/3qTWxta for tickets.