Oscar Edelstein in Concert

Bitácoras 

In his new concert “Bitácoras” [pronounced bee-tah-koh-rah] Oscar Edelstein from Argentina plays his “un-classic” piano accompanied by tapes and texts, with vocals and video made by Welsh multimedia artist Deborah Claire Procter. 

As a composer, pianist and researcher Edelstein is well known for his blend of music that intertwines the popular, classical and contemporary - making him original, hard to define, and often considered as leading the avant-garde from Latin America. Colleagues and critics over the years have compared his music to “á la free jazz” or to names like Cecil Taylor, Zappa, King Crimson, Cage, Varèse, Bartok, Piazzolla, and one conductor even described directing his orchestral work “Cristal Argento I” as like being inside a Picasso painting. But as Edelstein has said, more important than any generous comparison, it’s about originality and being decisively Latin American with all the paradox, passion and politics which that implies. Edelstein’s composition is acknowledged by many as crucial in the map of Latin American contemporary music, opera and performance. 

“Bitácoras” translates as “binnacle” and refers to the ship’s logs which are usually kept on long sea voyages. In ancient times it included a book where sailors recounted their travels and recorded everything that happened. A binnacle is the place where this valuable information was stored to protect it from adverse weather conditions and the vicissitudes of the journey. This concert is a homage to the wise art of hands encrypted in notations, drawings, poetry - the writings of an ancient journey which for us creates the only reality that matters.

Please note: This performance is not suitable for young children as it is a concentrated performance. 

Edelstein’s music is cult, absolutely original, ultra-powerful and new.” Carlos Marín, El Diario 

“Edelstein possesses a formidable pianistic technique…” Iberia & Latin American Music Society, London

“The audience is taken on a journey of sound colours that encompass the intensity and passion of Latin America giving the feel of being in the middle of a wild carnival of Argentinean rhythms..." Audience Member

“Taking inspiration from myriad genres, the composer-cum-director-cum-pianist is one of the most innovative musicians around.” Sophie Hern, Metro Cardiff