Nathalie Braux: The energy below the apparent quiet surface of the water
By Isaac Toporek

Music Nathalie Braux Sept 21–(N)22, 9pm El Viejo Topo Café-Teatro Stirling Dickinson 28 154-8701

There seems to be no limits to Nathalie Braux’ world of music, either on her arrangements or as part of the band of musicians that accompany Jaramar, or as the leader of Sherele, the group exploring the possibilities of interpretation of Klezmer music, or as a composer and performer of her own jazz creations, among many other professional activities; Nathalie is, without a doubt, a very complete artist.

A woman with an enormous talent, Nathalie has achieved a high level of maturity in her work. 

Born in Santa Monica, CA, she completed her musicology studies in France, along with earning degrees in history and art history, and high level diplomas in clarinet and specialization in jazz improvisation techniques with artists such as François Cotinaud, Aldridge Hansberry, Alan Silva and John Tchicaï.

To listen to Analogies (2006) her most recent CD, a magnificent selection of jazz compositions that involve several variations of this musical genre—(M)classic ballads, blues, latin, a little bit of free jazz—(M)is to be impressed.

The same way that Tavernier made his homage to jazz with his film, Nathalie’s Analogies awakes in us the same feeling of irreverence and passion that she feels about this music. There is a mystical serenity in her expression, her creative capacity and the unlimited skills she dominates of the jazz language that, without being forced to be avant-garde, seems to be in the traditional style. She fortunately goes beyond what we know of latin jazz (where many musicians get stuck) and brings us a proposal full of freshness, imagination, well-elaborated and with a clean interpretation.

This musical proposal is presented on September 21 and 22 accompanied by great musicians: Doug Robinson (piano), Beto González (bass) and Diego Escobar (drums). Take advantage of this quiet weekend, with no bulls running through the streets of San Miguel and enjoy a pleasant night with the best jazz at El Viejo Topo Café-Teatro.

Letters from a young violinist

Turkkan Osman Macías was born in San Miguel de Allende in 1989. He began playing the violin at age 9 in the San Miguel Suzuki Children’s String Program. For the past three years, he has attended high school at the Centro Cultural Ollin Yoliztli Music School in Mexico City, studying with Russian violinist Serguei Gorbenko.

He will complete his high school studies there, including violin, piano, and musical composition, this coming year. In early 2007 he was accepted (with a partial scholarship) to the extremely competitive 9–(N)week summer Aspen Music School in Colorado. However, an additional US$8,000 was needed to cover his remaining tuition, room and board and travel expenses. Contributions from 20 full and part time San Miguel residents, plus a grant of US$2,100 from the San Miguel Community Foundation covered the additional expenses. A brief report by Turkkan on his experiences during this 9-week, life-changing adventure follows. More information on the festival and school can be seen at aspenmusicfestiva
l.com.

Letter from Turkkan Osman Macías, August 30, 2007

Aspen is magical. It’s one of those places where anything can happen, one of the little paradises left on earth and it’s because of the thousands of people who put their entire soul and heart into making this possible every year. I was so fortunate to be a part of it, and I’m deeply grateful because this was the summer that I’ve enjoyed the most out of my whole life—(M) the summer when I learned as never before about my violin playing, my musical ideas and a bunch of other aspects that surround and make the difference between a violinist and a musician.

New Friends: I remember the first night I spent there, none of my roommates had arrived yet so I grabbed the front room for myself. Everyone told me Aspen was very hot during the summer but I didn’t imagine how cold it could get. That night I had a freezing welcome—(M) ja-ja-ja. After a few days I got used to the climate and began to enjoy this duality. Another big surprise took place in the cafeteria, “my first breakfast.” I was one of the first ones, I grabbed my plate and since I didn’t know anybody I sat by myself. In a few minutes the table was full of strangers talking to me as if we were friends from childhood. I was amazed by the warmth with which everyone welcomed everyone. As the days and weeks passed by, I started to have a new family—(M) people who completely understood what I felt and thought about music, people with whom I could express my feelings without any prejudice. I recall myself saying in the first week, when I was very homesick “I’m going to be so happy when the ninth week arrives, I ca
n’t wait to go back home.” When the last week started, I was so sad the festival was coming to an end; I couldn’t believe how fast time went by. I wanted it to be the first week and start all over. The hardest part of the whole summer was to say “good-bye” to this family that shared so much with me, people with whom I shared happiness and sorrow. I’m sure these friendships will last forever.

Our Orchestra and Conductors: I had played in an orchestra a few times before, but doing it in Aspen was incredible, amazing. Having world-wide renowned conductors was an experience out of this world; they shared their stories and knowledge with us.

We had two Latin American conductors, one was Miguel Harth Bedoya and the other was Tito Muñoz. With Miguel, the work I enjoyed the most was “La Noche de los Mayas” by Revueltas. In the first rehearsal I thought he was Mexican, because he had chosen a piece by Revueltas. He had a very Mexican aspect, but no, he was from Peru. From the first day the orchestra knew that it wouldn’t be nice to make him angry. He had a very strong temperament and very little patience, so we always tried to do everything immediately. When we performed “La Noche de los Mayas” the audience was captivated, but mostly by the two variations in which all the percussionists had a solo, but some of them had a more jazzy style and sometimes it didn’t suit the idea that Revueltas wanted to expose. The movements of the work are a battle between the Spanish influence and the indigenous roots, even though we all know that the Spaniards never had contact with the Mayas, except for the two men that ended up in the coast of Yucatan, but that’s an
other story. The music was originally created for a movie of the same name, but Revueltas decided to make it into a symphony.

Chamber Music in Aspen: Listening to chamber music in Aspen was very special, listening to the Emerson String Quartet play again after so many years (the first time being a concert they gave at the San Miguel de Allende Chamber Music Festival) evoked so many memories. In Aspen they gave two recitals, one was the opening concert in which Alan Fletcher, president and CEO, gave a very inspiring speech. This concert was held in the Benedict Tent. We students could only get tickets one hour before the concert and it was always a race to be first in line. When someone important was going to play, there was a line two or three hours before the performance. On many occasions the tickets were sold out, but we managed to sneak in through the back door or by the secret tunnel—(M)it was so much fun doing that.

My Wonderful Teacher: My violin teacher, Ms. Naoko Tanaka (Professor of Violin, Juilliard School of Music, New York City), was marvelous. Before I had my first lesson, I was very nervous. I didn’t know how she was but, to my fortunate surprise she was the nicest, sweetest and most helpful teacher I’ve ever had. I liked her so much, and I think she liked me as a student. Throughout the week I gave my best effort to come back to the next lesson with the homework done as well as possible. She changed some things in my position that made the tension in my back and shoulders disappear. We also worked on mechanical and technical aspects that improved my playing in a big way, it made everything easier. The pieces that we worked on together were Sinfonia Española by Lalo, Partita in E Major by Bach, Sonata No. 5 “Spring” by Beethoven, and Etudes by Rode. Each week, I had a private lesson with her and a studio class. In these classes all of her students gathered and three or four of them played while everyone else com
mented on their playing. This was very helpful because everyone learned from everyone else by their playing and by their observations. The nine lessons I had and the studio classes changed the way I approach the violin technically and musically.

My Dream: For my last lesson, besides playing the pieces I was working on, I played an improvisation. When I finished she was overjoyed and she asked me when and how I began to improvise like that. It was fun telling her how it started. Before the lesson ended, I asked her about schools and teachers in the US because I would love to go to college there. We talked for a while about that, and she said that if I work hard preparing a good audition, she thinks I would be able to get into a good college. I’m very motivated to give my best and prepare a good audition. I want to reach my dream. The last Monday I went hiking with some staff members and friends to the Maroon Bells, a spectacular mountain in the Rockies. After a half an hour of walking, the path divided, one leading to the lake a few feet from there and the other going all the way to the top. Some people decided to stay at the lake, but my friends and I wanted to go all the way to the top. It took us four hours to get there. When we got there, we were 
exhausted but the satisfaction made us forget that. No matter how far it looks, no matter how much effort it takes, no matter the exhaustion, I will give everything to get there, to reach my dream.

I want to thank everyone for everything they have done for me. I’m profoundly grateful.

Turkkan Osman Macìas

El Javi plays Gitano guitar

Concert
Mexican Roma music 
Mon, Sept 17, 7pm
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Reloj 50A
100 pesos

The Romani people are among the best known ethnic groups in literature and folklore. They are often called Gypsies, a term that is nowadays generally considered pejorative and is based the mistaken belief of an origin in Egypt.
This widely dispersed ethnic group lives across the world, not only near their historic heartland in Southern and Eastern Europe, but also in the Americas and the Middle East. 

The Roma in Spain are generally known as Gitanos. They once spoke the Romani language, but now speak Caló, basically Andalusian Spanish with a large number of Romani loan words. Javier Estrada “El Javi” is but one of a large community of Gitanos in Mexico who continue the tradition but with Mexican influences.