Orlando Maraca Valle and the Big Band Flautas Gigantes, a monument to music
The presentation of Flautas Gigantes by Orlando Maraca Valle and the Big Band Flautas Gigantes marks a milestone in Cuban and international music history, presenting for the first time 64 flutists from 20 countries, with a wide variety of genres, styles and instruments, including pre-Columbian flutes.
The album was recorded at Studio 18 of the Empresa de Grabaciones y Ediciones Musicales (Egrem). It includes eleven pieces by Maraca Valle, Joaquín Betancourt, Chucho Valdés, Ernesto Duarte, César Peredo and José Luis Cortés «El Tosco».
At a press conference, the renowned flutist and composer spoke of his dream of creating a big band of flutes. He wanted to show the various colours of this magical instrument that is the passion of millions of people around the world.
Joaquín Betancourt, winner of the 2019 National Music Prize, and musicologist Elsida González, responsible for the general production, attended the presentation and the beautiful adventure of the album. They stressed the monumental nature of this work. They also underlined the importance of the instrument in Cuban music.
With a cast that includes jazz and symphonic teachers and soloists of many musical styles and genres, the enormous challenge of creating this musical jewel has been surpassed.
«We have excellent flutists in this luxurious big band, with performers I have always admired. We have become one big family,» says Maraca.
The pieces played on the flutes in C, alto, bass, piccolo and quena were accompanied by Miguel Ángel «Wiwi» García on piano, Gastón Joya on double bass, Rodney Barreto on drums and Yaroldy Abreu on Cuban percussion (congas, bell, güiro, bongó).
Jennifer Grim, Néstor Torres, Jorge Pardo, Jane Bunnett, Niurka González, Paul Lieberman, Tadeu Cohelo, Nina Perlove, Cesar Peredo, Rebecca Kleinmann, Germán Velazco, Javier Zalba, René Lorente, Eddy Zervigon, Jorge Leliebre, Alberto Corrales, José Loyola, Yasel Muñoz, Josué Borges, Lázaro Cortés, Rodrigo Sosa are some of the famous flutists who have accompanied Orlando Maraca Valle.
The CD is dedicated to two of the world’s great flutists, Maestros José Luis Cortés and Artie Webb, who were invited to participate but whose physical departure did not allow it. Their legacy of musical excellence and friendship will be present in this tribute.
The CD will be accompanied by a making-of by audiovisual producer Ileana Rodríguez Pelegrín, which will reflect on the event, detailing the process of musical creation and the players’ passion for this ancient instrument.
Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez
