Podcast Summary: Nuestro flamenco – Flamenco Instrumental (15/01/26)

Host: José Luis Beltrán
Airing Date: January 14, 2026
Channel: Radio Clásica (RNE)
Episode Theme: The fusion and dialogue between flamenco and other musical styles, emphasizing key contemporary and historic instrumental/flamenco collaborations.

Overview

This episode of Nuestro flamenco explores the vibrant intersections between flamenco and instrumental music. Through a curated selection of live performances and studio recordings, the episode highlights how flamenco interacts with orchestral arrangements, jazz ensembles, and chamber music, creating new expressive possibilities. Listeners are guided through significant collaborations involving some of the genre's acclaimed figures and ensembles.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Spirit of Fusion in Flamenco

[00:56]

• José Luis Beltrán introduces the concept of flamenco’s alliance with other genres.
  • “El flamenco se alía con otras músicas y con otras músicas comparte espacios... siempre es enriquecedor.”
  • He frames the episode as a journey highlighting constructive dialogues and spirit of collaboration between flamenco and other musical languages.

2. Flamenco Guitar and Orchestra: Paco Cepero’s Suit Gades, Sueños de Libertad

[00:56–07:00]

• Spotlight on Paco Cepero's 2012 concert at Gran Teatro Falla, Cádiz, commemorating the bicentenary of the 1812 Constitution.
• Featured piece: “Barrio de Santa María” (alegrías gaditanas) performed with Orquesta de Córdoba, conducted by Juan Luis Pérez.
  • “En directo, música y guitarra de Paco Cepero... Barrio de Santa María, Un pasaje del concierto de Paco Cepero.”

3. José Antonio Rodríguez’s El guitarrista azul

[07:00–13:00]

• The fourth movement, “La danza del color,” is presented.
• This fusion piece was recorded at the 35th Festival de la Guitarra de Córdoba (2004) and illustrates Rodríguez’s innovative approach to combining flamenco guitar with orchestral textures under Michael Thomas’ baton.
  • “La guitarra de José Antonio Rodríguez con la Orquesta de Córdoba bajo la dirección de Michael Tomás.”

4. Voice and Instrumental Ensemble: Rafael de Utrera & Trío Arbós

[13:00–21:41]

• Focus on vocal-led fusion, starting with Rafael de Utrera performing “Soleá apolá” alongside the renowned Trío Arbós (piano, violin, cello) and percussionist Paquito González.
• José Luis Beltrán notes:
  • “Músicas que se unen con el flamenco y el flamenco que se cohesiona con otras músicas, a veces manteniendo un diálogo de recíprocas influencias...”
• Song excerpts highlight traditional flamenco cante merged with classical chamber instrumentation.
  • Quote [17:23] Rafael de Utrera: “De tu querer no me aparto. Por mucho que pase el tiempo.”

5. Classic Song Reimagined: José Mercé’s "Al alba" as Bulería

[21:41–27:55]

• José Mercé interprets Luis Eduardo Aute’s ballad “Al alba” with the Orquesta Filarmónica and guitarist Antonio Higuero, recontextualizing it as a bulería.
• The performance, part of “Mercé Sinfónico” (2017), shows flamenco’s capacity to reframe Spanish popular song through its forms.
  • Notable Quote [23:37] José Mercé: “Presiento que tras la noche vendrá la noche más larga / quiero que no me abandones, ay amor mío, al alba.”
• Beltrán underlines the importance of these reinterpretations in expanding flamenco’s expressive palette.

6. Chamber Flamenco: Camerata Flamenco Project with Rafael Jiménez “Falo”

[27:55–35:36]

• The group blends flamenco tangos with jazz influences, led by Falo’s singing and supported by instrumentalists (piano, cello, flute, sax, bass, drums).
• The piece “Tangos” reflects flamenco’s adaptability with modern chamber settings.
  • Quote [34:23] José Mercé (singing): “Perdí, que la perdí, la llave de la alegría. Si la perdí no era mía, ay de mí.”

7. Flamenco and Jazz: Flamenco Jazz Company

[35:36–43:29]

• Featuring the seguirilla “Quiero” sung by Ramón El Portugués, accompanied by pianist Pedro Ojesto, bassist José Miguel Garzón, drummer Fernando Favier, and guitarist Ramón Jiménez.
• The segment embodies deep emotive power and the improvisational push-pull between jazz and flamenco structures.

8. Closing Medley: Trío Arbós & Rafael de Utrera

[43:29–53:10]

• A striking medley beginning with the Malagueña de Chacón, running through the Rondeña de Rafael Romero, concluding with fandangos de Frasquito Hierbabuena.
• Rafael de Utrera brings soulful cante to evolving instrumental backdrops, culminating in emotive lyrical imagery.
  • Quote [48:24] Rafael de Utrera: “Me puse a escribir el primer renglón y el arbolito se vino a tierra, de la pena que le dio.”
  • Quote [52:15] Rafael de Utrera: “Yo había nacido en Utrera, mi madre se llama Pastora. Y mi padre Rafael. Y yo Rafa.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the episode’s theme, blending genres:
  “Siempre es enriquecedor... buscando un mismo espíritu en la manifestación artística y un diálogo para el entendimiento de distintos lenguajes.”
  — José Luis Beltrán [00:56]
• On resilience in love (Soleá apolá):
  “De tu querer no me aparto. Por mucho que pase el tiempo.”
  — Rafael de Utrera [17:23]
• On loss and joy (Tangos):
  “Perdí, que la perdí, la llave de la alegría. Si la perdí no era mía, ay de mí.”
  — José Mercé [34:23]
• Intimate personal roots in flamenco:
  “Yo había nacido en Utrera, mi madre se llama Pastora. Y mi padre Rafael. Y yo Rafa.”
  — Rafael de Utrera [52:15]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:56] – Introduction, theme of musical collaboration
• [00:56–07:00] – Paco Cepero, “Barrio de Santa María”
• [07:00–13:00] – José Antonio Rodríguez, “La danza del color”
• [13:00–21:41] – Rafael de Utrera & Trío Arbós, “Soleá apolá”
• [21:41–27:55] – José Mercé, “Al alba” as bulería
• [27:55–35:36] – Camerata Flamenco Project & Falo, “Tangos”
• [35:36–43:29] – Flamenco Jazz Company, “Quiero” seguirilla
• [43:29–53:10] – Trío Arbós & Rafael de Utrera, Malagueña, Rondeña, and Fandangos
• [53:10–53:41] – Closing remarks

Summary

This episode eloquently demonstrates flamenco's plural nature and its boundless creative exchanges with orchestral music, jazz, and chamber ensembles. Through evocative performances and insightful hosting, listeners experience a broad, passionate, and nuanced vision of how flamenco continues to evolve by conversing with other musical worlds.