Victor
Monge “Serranito”
one of the “three magnificent
maestros” of the 20th Century
flamenco guitar.
Victor
Monge “Serranito” is a legend in the
history of Spanish music. His virtuoso technique along with
supreme musicality confirms something well known in international
music circles: today he is one of the greatest flamencos.
His untiring work and innovative ideas to enrich flamenco
music brought the admiration of the great maestro Andrés
Segovia.
He
is one of the most conscientious composers, carefully balancing
the foundation and form of his compositions, something which
produces a remarkable perfection in his music. At each moment
his interior richness is evident, and the emotional experience
of human interaction with his environment and his own isolation
is illustrated.
Profound
and transcendental, his live performances are filled with
strength and brilliance, but also austerity: rhythmic silence,
strength and harmony, classic cadences highlighted by his
technique which grants each note a deeply Baroque colour.
Víctor
Monge “Serranito”, Spanish composer born in Madrid,
self taught professional from early childhood is considered
one of the most virtuosic Spanish guitarists of his era. He
represents an example of precociousness, genius and prolific
work in the history of the Spanish guitar. He received his
first lessons in musical education at the age of eight. Gifted
with a great capacity for performing flamenco, he began composing
at the age of eleven.
After
accompanying the foremost figures of the style, he edited
his first solo recording in 1963. At 21 he was introduced
to the maestroNarciso
Yepes and a coincidence
became an influence: the three fingered scale. In 1969 he
became an independent concert guitarist. In 1970 the maestro
Andrés Segovia
conferred an invitation via José Ramírez to
hear him play. He gave him his written, signed approval.
His
first major recognition arrived in 1971 when he was awarded
the Premio
Nacional de Guitarra ‘Ramón Montoya’,
in Córdoba and the Premio
Nacional de Guitarra in Jerez de la Frontera,
awarded by the Cátedra de Flamencología.
Since
1970, he has toured the world many times. Outstanding concertist
of his time and intensity he has passed into history as the
first flamenco guitarist to take his art to India, presenting
Spanish music on the most diverse stages of the world, such
as Strasbourg on the occasion of Spain’s entry into
the European Parliament in 1978.
In
1982 he gave the premiere of his work for guitar and orchestra
in the Royal Theater of Madrid with the Symphony Orchestra.
He has composed music for film and the official music of Spain’s
pavilion at the Universal Expo in Brisbane, Australia in 1988.
In
1993 he represented Spain in the Israel festival, Jerusalem,
Damascus, Iran, Iraq and the Lebanon, and he gave a tour of
Tunisia, Naples and Rome.
In
December of 1995 he performed with his group in Bosnia as
part of the celebrations for the Dayton peace agreement marking
the end of the Balkan war. In the same year, during his tour
of Canada he is dubbed the Prince
of Flamenco.
In
1997 he toured Russia in celebration of the establishment
of diplomatic relations between Spain and the Russian Federation.
In
1996/1997 he had a world tour representing Spain in the International
music festivals of Turkey, Bulgaria, Budapest, Rumania, Czechoslovakia,
Bucharest, Poland, as well as the guitar festivals of Denmark,
Finland, Germany, Italy and Central America.
He
was awarded the Gold
Prize for artistic merit by the
Council of Madrid for his extensive career. In the same year
he premiered his concerto “Echoes of the Guadalquivir”
in Madrid, presenting it in Greece, Switzerland, Germany,
South America and New York.
In
1998/1999 he began composing his concerto My Sound And Time,
premiered in the International Festival of Cordoba. Completed
a tour of Europe and all countries of the East, Central America
and Guitar Festivals.
In
2000 he interpreted Joaquin Rodrigo’s Concierto
de Aranjuez for the
first time, in the International Music Festival of Galicia,
with the Royal Galician Philharmonic, directed by Ernest Martínez
Izquierdo. Following this he performed it in Central America
with different symphonic orchestras of each country. Premieres
his concerto “Two Worlds and a Guitar” in the
Bienal of Seville directed by the maestro Narciso Yepes.
On
the occasion of Morocco Cultural 2000/2001 he toured throughout
Morocco sponsored by the ministry of culture.
With 20 records, the critics identify him as a musician whose command is staggering. A musician whose composition, sense of the harmony, exigency of his left hand and the gentleness of his right hand, as well as his style, positions him in the revolution operated in the guitar on the second half of the 20th century. But beyond these aspects, deep in its production, one finds the most intimate truth of this singular artist: the beauty and the goodness of spirit, the most secret and mysterious aspects of styles. Nowadays “Serranito”, who is one of the Spanish artists with greater number of decorations and honors, is working on two different projects: the recording of an exhibition video of flamenco which will be released December 2002 and his next album (release date 2003) as well as an upcoming world tour of his latest work. His latest album - Sueños de Ida y Vuelta - with Camerata Romeu, released by the Author foundation has been nominated for the best flamenco album in the 4th Annual Latin Grammy Awards - September 3 - 2003, a pm et / pt CBS and awarded the prize for best guitar soloist album by the National Critics.
This work is taken to stage in Sevilla Biennial 2004. In 2005 he premieres his show " Con Solera" during the International Guitar Festival in Cordoba. He was awarded the "Tio Luis el de la Juliana" prize, given by the hall of residence "Isabel de España" during its 50 anniversary.
In 2007, during the Flamenco Festival of Caja Madrid, Street of Alcala has been recognized by the award, granted only to flamencos artists who have developed his artistic career from the capital of Spain (Madrid).
In 2009, after a tour along Japan there received the Award IX Rafael Romero“TheGallina " of the Flemish of Andújar and it is claimed to do a tour along Central America, circumstance that serves to the Festival of Guitar of Costa Rica to celebrate an Honouring to Victor Monge "Serranito".
Prizes
Received:
National Award of Guitar (Cordoba)
Flamenco Chair of Jerez (Cadiz)
Gold Medal of the Mines (La Union)
Honnuray Merit (University of Costa Rica)
Gold Medal Bratislava Festival (Czechoeslovaquia)
Gold Medal Strassbourg , in commemoration of Spain entering into the European Council
Gold Medal of Artistic Merit City Council of Madrid (Spain)
Honnuary distinction of Artistic Merit, National Theatre Ruben Dario (Nicaragua)
National Award of the Critic, by the record “Sueños de Ida y Vuelta” (Spain).
Honnuary distinction “Tío Luis el de al Juliana”, Colegio Mayor Isabel de España.
