Exquisite rhythmic agape by Viviana Díaz. Before a full house at the National Foundation for Popular Culture, the flutist offered good music with her group A Tempo de Flute.
(Photo Vicente Toledo Rohena for the National Foundation for Popular Culture)
By Vicente Toledo Rohena
For National Foundation for Popular Culture
Music mission accomplished. Viviana Díaz and her group A Tempo de Flauta lit up the activities hall of the National Foundation for Popular Culture (FNCP) with a wide variety of à la carte rhythms that pleased the enthusiastic public. In front of a full house, the little flute offered a diverse repertoire of well-known songs and gained the support of those present, who sang many of the lyrics.
ccompanied by Joseph Ramírez (bass), César Cortes (guitar, cuatro y tres), Federico Delgado (percussion) and José Ángel Latorre (güiro); Viviana Díaz (director, flute and voice) delivered herself in a rich and diverse rhythmic proposal.
The opening was with the emblematic piece by Noel Estrada ‘En mi viejo San Juan’ where to the sound of rumba he gave away pure feeling through good phrasing and successful moments of improvisation. Those present joined in singing the lyrics, after an invitation from the artist to think of her loved ones in the diaspora.
“Lágrimas negras” followed the popular Cuban theme with a bolero-son where all the musical staff prepared lilting improvisations. It is worth noting that, through the presentation, Viviana narrated important anecdotes and comments about each of the composers and about the themes. An extra that the audience received with remarkable pleasure.
‘Soñando con Puerto Rico’ followed in a bolero-jazz arrangement that slowed down and provided a moment of nostalgia for Bobby Capó’s music. An improvisation by César Cortes (guitar) elegantly graced the notes emitted by Díaz’s flute.
The son montuno ‘Tumba palo cocuyé’ set the auditorium alight –the best piece of the night- accompanying with his palms, the sticky cut that moved several from their chairs. The tasty theme sealed the group’s connection with improvisations by Viviana (flute), Cortes (three), Ramírez (bass) and Delgado on the tumbadoras.
The protagonist’s joy was evident on her face, before an audience immersed in the concert, full of family and friends who constantly cheered their approval. Each of the pieces generated emotion in the public. The flutist demonstrated her rhythmic versatility by interpreting the Peruvian folklore classic ‘El cóndor pasa’, to later deliver a piece that reminded us of the late legendary Puerto Rican flutist, Dave Valentín, ‘Obsesión’ by Pedro Flores in Latin jazz. Precisely, Valentín together with Néstor Torres are sources of inspiration for Díaz.
‘Wave’ by Antonio Carlos Jobim set them to travel to the beat of bossa-nova, a prelude to ‘Piel canela’ in chacha with the choral support of those present. The bolero ‘Quizás, quizás, quizá’ created effervescence in the habitat, because in addition to playing the flute, Viviana sang the famous song. Very emotional moment.
The classic piece ‘Syrinx’ took precedence over the handsome and legendary cut ‘Pare cochero’ in guaracha time that urged people to move from the seats. A six Celinés with a typical Puerto Rican touch could not be missing to make clear his incursion into national rhythms. Together with the danzón ‘Almendra’ the variation in his musical proposal continued, adding patriotic sentiment with one of the hymns of Puerto Rico, the emotional ‘Verde luz’ by Antonio Cabán Vale ‘El Topo’.
The night continued along its enchanting tropical path. She delighted with more songs. An emotional, first-time and magical concert. In dim light at the headquarters of Puerto Rican culture. Sound proposal of great dedication, passion and dedication, from an artist who is effectively developing within the national staff. Starting point with no turning back… Viviana Díaz’s perseverance and commitment are vital and positive characteristics for an artist who is looking for her space in the music scene.
Exquisite rhythmic agape by Viviana Díaz
