Review by Vince Corozine
Label: Mark Records The music is subtitled A Latin Fantasy and is based on a series of chord progressions of Spanish flamenco guitarists, whose fiery style and brilliant playing have captivated millions of music lovers throughout the world. These progressions and the resulting key relationships have become practically synonymous with what we call the true Spanish idiom.
Title: El Camino Real
Composer: Alfred Reed
Publisher: Warner/Chappell Music
Performer: College of
Conductor: William G. Silvester
The first section of the music is based upon the dance from known as the Jota, while the second, contrasting section is derived from the Fandango, here altered considerably in both time and tempo from its usual form. Overall, the music follows a traditional three-part pattern: fast-slow-fast.
This is a lengthy, but worthwhile composition created with a typical Spanish flavor. It suggests Bizet’s “Carmen.”
This rhythmic piece begins with a vigorous, full tutti, utilizing high unison horns and fast moving woodwinds doubled by the xylophone. The woodwind parts are particularly challenging with their fast-moving chromatic and diatonic runs.
A lyrical contrasting theme follows with a plaintive oboe solo surrounded by a very soft background. The composer uses mostly soft-sounding woodwinds and horns in this section. The theme is tossed around from one woodwind instrument to another.
At 4:49, the second theme gets fuller, with wonderful and throbbing intensity, leading to a woodwind statement of the theme This crescendo is helped through the adding of brass instruments. At 5:25, a solo alto saxophone takes up the theme. At 6:20, the horns begin a transition that leads back to the fiery Spanish theme.
At 7:54, we are back to the dramatic Spanish theme, which its pulsating rhythmic drive, and fast moving, agile lines in the woodwinds. Unison horns, playing a counter line, help build up the sonority and at 8:39 a march-like theme occurs with xylophone, woodwinds, and bells working rhythmically together in a frantic state. A wonderful unison line in the horns appears just prior to the full and resonant ending.
Here we have over 10 minutes of Spanish flavored music that has many dynamic types of shading, and is sprinkled with sustained lines, weaving counter lines, and thick, resonant chords. The contrasts in mood are very well handled. It is a rousing number that exudes rhythmic intensity, and Spanish bravado. This exciting musical composition brings out a sense of adventure, and students will enjoy the brisk tempo and the fiery Spanish rhythms.
Recommended for: Excellent High School & College Bands.