From Leonor Leal a guitar and a song
Released on June 22, 2019
DV+HPR Festival of Ronda (Málaga) with Dani de Morón and Perrate
Text by Pedro G. Romero
It might seem like a verse from Lorca, but no, it is a phrase from the bolero “Noche de ronda” by Agustín Lara, whose lyrics have been covered by many people, including flamenco.
The rounds are street trips, attentive searches in the night of a party to come. A party that perhaps takes place. Where everyone does their part so that something more happens, although no one can say for sure what.
Thus, these three artists, Leonor Leal, Tomás de Perrate and Dani de Morón (who, curiously, came together for the first time in the city of Ronda) bring us, through dance, song and music, a piece of the moon that saw and heard them from above that first night.
We are faced with three complete and complex artists, none of whom are willing to respond to the stereotypes assigned to them.
Leonor's powerful hips tense before the vibrating strings of Dani de Morón and Perrate who almost sings and almost laughs. The three bodies at the same time put on fire; throat at the limit, hammer toes and head cutting the wind. And it happens sometimes, in flamenco the music is embodied, it literally becomes flesh, the party is ritual and the bodies become animals.
The German poet Rainer Maria Rilke recognized it in the streets of Malaga and sang it in Ronda itself:
Like a match that before it ignites in the hand it extends everywhere in pulsating tongues–: in the circle of spectators vivid and clear their dance spreads. And suddenly it is a flame, fully.
With his gaze he lights up his hair and at once with very daring art wraps her dress in this fire, from where I eat scared snakes His arms spread out, clacking.
Then, as if the fire were scarce, He picks it up and takes it away from her With a gesture of pride he rejects it, And look: on the ground it is furious still fluttering and not giving up. But, triumphant and confident and in a sweet smile that greets, raises the forehead and finally with his short foot he extinguishes the fire.
(Poem “Spanish Dancer” by Rainer María Rilke)
This format was born out of the need to always have a recital of guitar, singing and dancing in one's pocket. A format that is the basis and the return to the origin of a flamenco from which we started and from which we never strayed too far (even if it may not seem so).
This recital is flexible in terms of the cast. We could say interchangeable? Always with top-notch artists with whom you can communicate, or just dance.
Do you think dancing is not enough? Choreographer Andrés Marín asked me not long ago, when I was talking to him about my concerns and my desire to always want something more of everything.
And he is right. Dancing, dancing to song and to the beat is no small feat.
The first time was with Dani de Morón and Perrate, then with Alfredo Lagos on guitar, Salvador Gutiérrez or Canito. Jeromo Segura, David Lagos, Javier Rivera… Close companions and musical teachers. Always in contact with flamenco styles and my dialogue with them.
Leonor Leal
Utrera – Seville.
+34 606 892 717
+34 665 680 058
Utrera – Seville.
+34 606 892 717 – +34 665 680 058