Forty years ago Paco Peña gave his first ever full-length solo guitar recital at the Wigmore Hall. At that time it was an unusual event, as the general concept of flamenco was as a particular kind of Spanish folk music, based around passionate dancing, with the guitar providing rhythmical and skilful accompaniment. The tradition of playing solo goes back a century or more and is well expressed through the flamenco compositions of Ramón Montoya. Others have followed, Niño Ricardo, Sabicas, Paco de Lucía, to name a few, all creating compositions of their own within the compass of flamenco, while not losing the ability to accompany.
On the contrary, the same searching spirit for creating solos is no less apparent in the striving of the guitarist to accompany singers and dancers, all of which adds to flamenco as a living art form.
New York Times
“Paco Peña is a genuine virtuoso, capable of dazzling an audience with technical abilities beyond the frets of mortal man.”
