My Review of Spektral Quartet and Miguel Zenon Concert

Introduction

The first question I asked myself on my way to the performance was how much do I really know about music and live performances? I have always exemplified any musical performance as a communication of the rhythmic and instrumental variety of music. For my concert review, I attended the performance of Spektral Quartet and Miguel Zenon on Thursday, September 20, 2018. It was the genre of music I knew the least about, and coming from Latin roots, I thought it would be interesting to attend this. This was my first time attending a Jazz concert that concentrates on American folklore music.

Expectations and Initial Impressions

Therefore, I did not know what kind of music to expect but also any music I was familiar with. This concert was a new experience for me. It was far different from a Banda concert held at the Garibaldi by the 26th street. The purpose of this concert was not only to give me a taste of the music but to get a sense of a rich cultural landscape, how they created the piece, and how they combined the sound together. A young man came up to me with a tape recorder, or so I believe. I got nervous because if it was a different scenario, I would have tried to avoid the interview, but I was trapped. Luckily for me, he did not ask any difficult questions other than how did I hear about the event and what I was looking forward to hearing.

Performance and Atmosphere

The only light in the room came from onstage, where five chairs were placed in the middle, and to the left side, there was a tall table with two chairs, which, in my opinion, reminded me of a table outside a restaurant in downtown. There was a large attendance, and I think that much of the audience were friends in their mid-20s hanging out on a nice windy day. The show started, and it was interesting that there were two women and three males in the performance. Both women were playing the violin, one male also playing the violin, a male playing the cello, and Miguel Zenon playing the saxophone. The first song they performed was called "Promesa." The first question asked in the Q&A was about Miguel's inspiration for this composition. He mentioned that he got inspired by a song during a celebration named "Las Tres Marias." It came from a tradition in Puerto Rico, which was not considered a tradition back then; it was an offering to the saint that inspired the people.

Cultural Significance and Personal Reflection

Now, many Puerto Ricans know that a "Promesa" is a religious offering that is made with a petition to God, Jesus, the Virgin Mary, a saint, or another important character of their religion. They are also part of the traditions of Catholicism. The practice of this custom usually involves asking a saint to grant a favor in exchange for a personal sacrifice. People "pay" their promises before obtaining the grace as an act of faith that the miracle has already been granted. Zenon also mentioned how the community comes together and does not expect anything in return. They offer prayers, food, dance, or specific action to the divinity for no other purpose than to practice their devotion and faith. This aspect of the concert deeply resonated with me, reflecting the interconnectedness of cultural and musical expressions.

Conclusion

The second question Miguel was asked about the project he was working on during the recording sessions for his new album, "Yo Soy La Tradicion," in collaboration with Spektral Quartet. He mentioned the difficulty of reaching out to his family and friends in Puerto Rico, which had been devastated by Hurricane Maria. As a representative for Puerto Rico, he recorded the new album to help aid those in need (Zenon, 2018). This concert not only expanded my musical horizons but also provided profound insights into the cultural and humanitarian efforts intertwined with the art. The experience was both enlightening and inspiring, leaving a lasting impact on my appreciation for music and its power to convey deeper meanings.

References

Zenon, M. (2018, September 20). Personal communication during concert Q&A session. Spektral Quartet and Miguel Zenon Concert, [Venue Name].