Cassville Arts Council hosting free concert Saturday
ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com The Cassville Arts Council presents Ronald Radford, Flamenco guitarist, in concert at Crowder College at 7 p.m. on Saturday, performing the original Spanish Gypsy guitar music known as Flamenco.
Radford will also perform mini-concerts with his message on “The Power of Practice” at area schools this week and will also serenade the Cassville Rotary Club at noon today (Wednesday). Radford’s visit is made possible by a grant from the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
For the last few years, Radford has performed mostly in Spain, France, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Holland and other countries in the European Union. Radford grew up in Tulsa, lived for a while in Lampe in Stone County, and now tours world-wide, from his home in St. Louis, as one of the most successful ambassadors of Flamenco music in the world.
“This brilliant American Flamenco virtuoso has evoked standing ovations on four continents,” a Cassville Arts Council press release said. “He has been acclaimed in Mexico City for performances, equal to those on any Flamenco stage in Madrid, Seville or Andalusia.
“His Carnegie Recital Hall and Kennedy Center concerts were enthusiastically received, but perhaps the highest tribute comes from Madrid: ‘He has duende, the Spanish equivalent of soul!’” A protégé of the legendary Carlos Montoya, Radford lived and traveled in Spain where he immersed himself in the musical wisdom of the Gypsy Flamenco guitar masters Diego del Gastor, Paco de Lucia and others.
In addition, he has studied classical guitar with Andres Segovia and Pepe Romero. He is the only individual to be awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to Spain in Flamenco guitar.
His international tours have taken him to 20 countries from Australia to Switzerland and from Vietnam to Panama. He toured for the U.S. State Department as a Musical Ambassador in Mexico, Guatemala and other Latin American countries. His exciting CD, “Viva Flamenco!” and DVD, “Live Your Passion!” have been downloaded in over 80 countries world-wide.
“This gifted artist takes you far beyond the usual guitar concert,” the press release said. “Radford complements his masterful technique with some great story telling which recreates the very essence of this ancient folklore, Flamenco – the heartbeat of Spain.”
Radford’s Flamenco expression has been described by noted guitarist Oscar Ghiglia.
“It is rare, even for a Gypsy, to have the gift to lead one into the somber, unforgettable world of sounds of the real Flamenco, and yet he — an American — is among the few who have given me this artistic experience,” Ghiglia said.
The great Spanish guitarist Pepe Romero recently wrote about Radford, as well.
“I am deeply impressed with Ronald Radford’s genuine ability to transmit the essence of Flamenco as an art and as a philosophy for living to an audience who may never have had the opportunity to be in direct contact with this fantastic culture and energy,” he said. “He gains the trust of his listeners and guides them on a magical journey!”
Admission to the concert at Crowder College in Cassville is free. For more information, people may email cassvillearts@gmail.com.
