This representation comes from Mineral de la Luz, one of the communities that make up the Municipio of Guanajuato. In the city, families throng the Calzada that leads up to the Guadalupe church, with many children dressed in national costume. No wonder it is a field day for local professional photographers.
MEXIGUANA
Rochelle Cashdan's Mexican buffet with Guanajuato the main course. "I'm a former Oregonian who has written in English for The Chopper, Guanajuato's Spanish-language weekly magazine, www.redroom.com where I have an author page, and www.associatedcontent.com." For my stories and poems online, google "rochelle cashdan."
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Guadalupe Day
Today is the day of Mexico's most revered religious icon, the Virgin of Guadalupe.
Etiquetas:
Guadalupe,
Guanajuato
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Cervantino 2012: Talking with Saul Bitran
What a treat for me to talk with the first violinist of an
important string quartet, a group I have heard play many times. Expecially a musician about my size with a quiet but engaging manner.
Saul Bitrán, along with his brothers Saul and Alvaro and
violist Javier Montiel, are in Guanajuato for two Cervantino concerts,last
night a 30th anniversary concert in the Auditorio de Minas and tonight,
together with the Woodwind Quintet of Mexico City, a program of contemporary
music, same hour and place.
So what did we talk about? About our families, migration and
Shostakovich. We are both descended from Jewish emigrants who came to the
Americas in the early 1900s. On his mother’s side he is descended from Russian
Jews, on his father’s side he is a Sefardi, a Turkish Jew whose ancestors had
gone there from Spain five centuries before, during the era also produced the
voyages of Columbus. Both sides of his family went to Chile, but they left years later in 1974 when the military junta took over.
When I told him I had recently been in Turkey, that the
younger Jews are leaving. Bitrán asked me where they were going.. I remembered meeting a forty-year old man at a
ferryboat stop who said he was torn between staying in Turkey where he had a
business or going to America. "Probably the U.S. and Israel," he nodded.
Before long, I had told the violinist about attending many
Cuarteto Latinoamericano concerts, going to a Quartetto Italiano concert when
I was eighteen (I listened to an LP record fourteen times; the group performed
from memory) and recently reading Music for Silenced Voices about
Shostakovich and his quartets. He said he had read reviews of the book, it was
a good one, and asked how the author’s last name was spelled. He mused that we
can see the development of Shostakovich and Villa-Lobos in their many quartets
over the years. (Villa-Lobos is a Cuarteto favorite, on their program
last night.)
Bitrán said he had lived in the United States for a number
of years.“Where?”
“Boston.”
“That’s where I heard the Quartetto Italiano!”
Would I be coming to the evening’s concert?
“On Sunday, I’ll be at the Minas.”
He frowned a little, “The contemporary concert,” he said.
Sounded as if I would miss the Cuarteto's personal picks marking their anniversary. Such is the abundance of the Cervantino.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Cervantino 2012: Riccardo Muti, Chicago Symphony Conductor
Riccardo Muti as Adept with the Press as on the Podium
When the Chicago Symphony, arguably one of the three finest
symphony orchestras in the world, played Franck and Brahms in Teatro
Juarez, we Guanajuato folks in the elegant venue framing the musicians were as comfortably at home as if in our own salas. I was lucky to have a seat in
the second box on the concertmaster’s side so could glimpse the conductor Riccardo Muti at work relaxed but alert. At times I even saw him change expression.
Below, the Chicago Tribune photo announcing the CSO's Mexico Trip
When the Chicago Symphony, arguably one of the three finest
symphony orchestras in the world, played Franck and Brahms in Teatro
Juarez, we Guanajuato folks in the elegant venue framing the musicians were as comfortably at home as if in our own salas. I was lucky to have a seat in
the second box on the concertmaster’s side so could glimpse the conductor Riccardo Muti at work relaxed but alert. At times I even saw him change expression.
Even so for me Muti’s press conference was as exciting as
the crisp, clear sound of the orchestra. First he explained how he had
decided to take the job in Chicago (“A
beautiful city and I’m a Neapolitan!”) after the woman on his right in the
photo, the President of the Symphony, followed him to many of his concerts,
finally inviting him to consider the Chicago Symphony.
Responding to selected questions from reporters, Muti stated firmly that life without music would be barbaric. Asked how he develops his approach
to a piece, he quotes Mozart’s comment that music is the space between the
notes and a mentor’s advice, not to think too much, adding he studies each
score carefully.
Muti believes the
human body is adapted for tonal music, but that new composers should be heard. As
for present audiences, he said that In Verdi’s time, a day or two after a new
opera, people in the streets would be singing the tunes. He laments that our
electronic means of hearing music may be dumbing us down.
At least some of the time, Muti would like to see the
barriers between performers wearing formal garb and the audience dissolve.[This
is just what happens when someone drops in on an OSUG rehearsal.] Muti is
clearly proud of concerts he has led to promote peace in Sarajevo, Istanbul,
Yerevan (Armenia). Without going into detail, he mentions yearly park concerts
in the main Latino barrio in Chicago.
I’ve nearly forgotten to mention Muti’s ready sense of humor
and ability to laugh at himself. Here's one example: “I’m glad I’m the age I am, with a whole crop
of Chinese conductors on their way up.” Laughter, but Muti sees a woman with a
startled expression: “What you’re Chinese?” Pause. “No of course not,” he says.
“Mexican.” Laughter once again.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Rain falls when it's supposed to: San Juan Days, June 20-27, Presa de la Olla and other parts of the city

According to tradition, the rain begins on San Juan Day; this year it came even sooner, but some years the sun is shining. This year volantes from Veracruz will be flying around the pole every day of the festival. Lots of mechanical games afternoons for the kids, bread from Acambaro, balloon vendors, you name it . . . and across town in the Parque del Cantador or Los Pastitos, the annual plant sale.

| Always plenty to eat . . . |

Friday, June 15, 2012
Stellar guitarist plays tonight with the symphony
Not only does Dieter Hemmings play the guitar, he also plays the lute at concert level and will be playing each tonight. I heard him play Juan Trigos' Partita last night at the Museo Iconografico. What an experience!
Hemmings is Mexican, born in Sonora of German ancestry.
Tonight the OSUG program ranges from Baroque to Mussorgsky's Pictures from an Exhibition. If you arrive at 7:30, you'll be in time for the pre-conference chat upstairs in the Principal, Trigos and Hemmings presiding.
Hemmings is Mexican, born in Sonora of German ancestry.
Tonight the OSUG program ranges from Baroque to Mussorgsky's Pictures from an Exhibition. If you arrive at 7:30, you'll be in time for the pre-conference chat upstairs in the Principal, Trigos and Hemmings presiding.
Monday, June 04, 2012
Watch for the next flea market / ecological fair
The first combined Mercado de Pulgas / Tianguis Ecologica took place on the weekend in Cafe Voltaire. It featured cheeses, used books, used clothes, handmade jewelry, miscellany and lots more. Although one of my personal goals was selling books I wouldn't reread, I now have four thinner books to read.
According to Julie Foly who organized the event, the next one will probably take place in a larger venue. This time she had to turn some hopeful vendors away.
According to Julie Foly who organized the event, the next one will probably take place in a larger venue. This time she had to turn some hopeful vendors away.
Tomorrow Tuesday last time in >100 years to see the transit of Venus
The University is sponsoring a viewing from the parking lot at UCEA in Marfil
5-8pm. Be sure to read on the internet to learn about watching safely.
5-8pm. Be sure to read on the internet to learn about watching safely.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Cervantino: State Auditorium tickets now available
at the ticket office on the side of the Teatro Juarez. Tickets for individual events at the Auditorio are available, with discounts for city residents and holders of INAPAM cards. The only tickets not on sale yet are the abonos (undiscounted season tickets, about 500 pesos) for the Auditorio del Estado. The abonos, for five events, can be shared for any event the purchaser is not attending. If that's not clear, ask at the ticket office.
Etiquetas:
International Cervantino Festival
More organ concerts
during the little publicized Baroque Festival:
Friday, May 25, Templo de Belen (almost across from the Mercado Hidalgo), 9:45am, free. I went to a similar concert there this morning. Although many people came and went, I was probably the only person who came for the music, so I felt as if the marvelous music was just for me.
Wednesday, May 30, 8pm, in The Compania church beside the main University building. 10 pesos admission.
Friday, May 25, Templo de Belen (almost across from the Mercado Hidalgo), 9:45am, free. I went to a similar concert there this morning. Although many people came and went, I was probably the only person who came for the music, so I felt as if the marvelous music was just for me.
Wednesday, May 30, 8pm, in The Compania church beside the main University building. 10 pesos admission.
Etiquetas:
barooque organs,
baroque festival,
Guanajuato festivals,
music
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Pre-concert chat before each OSUG concert
Conductor Juan Trigos, often with the night's soloist, delves into the music. Upstairs in the Principal from 7:3-8pm.
Etiquetas:
Guanajuato music,
Mexican classical music,
OSUG
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)




