Maria Zemantauski: Press

Sensuous Sensibility

Maria Zemantauski

Under the Lemon Tree (Futon Dog Music)

Gypsies of Spain’s Andalusia pro vince first spread the florid songs, dances, and improvised guitar accompaniment of flamenco throughout the rest of the country. And since it became the rage of Spanish coffeehouses in the mid-19th century, flamenco has also traveled a stylistic route leading from traditional forms to a freer, more open style known as nuevo (new) flamenco, and influenced both classical music and jazz along the way.

Maria Zemantauski’s fine new CD, Under the Lemon Tree, spans the spectrum of flamenco guitar’s evolution. The 11 tracks here include a pair of celebrated Spanish works, a hymn arrangement, and eight of her own captivating compositions. These last range from classic flamenco to more nuevo-sounding pieces flecked with borrowings from jazz, Celtic, and Appalachian string-band music. Guesting on the disc are Tony Dumas on cajon, Angelina Glashenkova-Reed on domra, and Martha Gallagher on Celtic harp.

The first track, “Rumores de la Caleta,” is Zemantauski’s showpiece arrangement of an 1887 piano piece by Spanish composer Isaac Albeniz, and, with its stentorian strumming, rapid-fire bass runs, and dreamy interludes, should convince you she is an outstanding guitarist. Other highlights include “River Street,” which starts off as a reflective air and then lunges into a blazing impression of a Southern fiddle breakdown. “Chanteuse” is a duet with Celtic harp in which the two instruments blend seamlessly, recalling in places the minimalism of Terry Riley. More traditional are the solos “Sundina’s Dance,” an alegrias, and the title track, a rumba. In “Recuerdos de la Alhambra,” Zemantauski breaks up Francisco Tarrega’s famous tremolo study for solo guitar into a serene duet with the domra, a Russian mandolin-like instrument. A heartfelt arrangement of “Amazing Grace” concludes the record.

I only wish Zemantauski had included liner notes for the pieces, but that is a mere quibble. Put your inquiring mind on hold and let your ears drink in her rich, sensuous music.

"Maria is a superb guitarist by any standard, but her presentation, personality and stage presence are really what set her show special. She gave one of the best performances we have ever had here, and I think our only standing ovation in almost 4 years of guitar concerts."

"Maria Zemantauski is a musical genius, whose performances leave her audiences asking for more. She plays with such passion and beauty, sharing cultural interpretations that make flamenco come alive for her audience. Building on traditional motifs and creating new and original works, Maria offers the best of both worlds. Her performance was magical, and the audience loved her!"

"Master flamenco guitarist, Maria Zemantauski...grabs the power and emotion of her music--but only after spending a good deal of time on the thought and theory behind it...It is without a wisp of hyperbole that I can state that Zemantauski is every bit a modern heir to that great musical tradition and those great musical masters, in her skill as a performer, in her artistry as a composer, and in her mastery of mysteries of her music. This is how it's done when it's done right."

"Zemantauski's technique is flawless, and she brings novel touches to her arrangements of Spanish classics as well as introducing some gorgeous originals."

"Maria's music embraces flamenco for its foundation, but builds the rest of its house with a broader mixture of materials, from classical music to Brazilian influences, all with inimitable Zemantauski-style."

2005 "BEST ACOUSTIC GUITARIST" IN THE CAPITAL REGION!!!

"While there’s no denying that Maria Zemantauski is the region’s preeminent flamenco guitarist, and is arguably one of the world’s finest practitioners of Spain’s most passionate music to boot, the thing that continues to blow our minds is how that doesn’t seem to be enough for her. In solo and a variety of ensemble performances over the past year, Zemantauski has continually pushed the boundaries of the possible with her trusty 6-string, blending genres that have little or no business appearing on the same bill, much less in the same song. It’s rarely less than electrifying to watch her do it."

Flamenco Guitarist Enlivens Sunday Afternoon Concert in Newburgh

Newburgh - Maria Zemantauski, internationally acclaimed flamenco guitarist, returned to her native Newburgh Sunday afternoon for a concert with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic String Quartet at the landmark Calvary Presbyterian Church.

In a concert sponsored by the Newburgh Chamber Music Series, Zemantauski soloed with a set of flamenco songs from various traditions and then joined the quartet for a guitar concerto. It was an afternoon of Spanish music at its best, full of life, musicality and dance. Zemantauski, who is also an educator, explained each number as a facet of its native culture.

The program began with the quartet, violinists Carole Cowan, Marka Young, violist Valentina Charlap-Evans and cellist Susan Seligman, playing Scarlatti's Sonata a Quarto in D minor, one of the first works composed for this ensemble. All the quartets to come resonated in the opening allegro with its swift upsweeping tempo taking the three-note motif to repeated variations.

The slow movement that followed moved from solemn, meditative chords with low cello bass to a swift allegro and minuet, played without pause to a concise, expressive conclusion. The quartet executed the intricate measures with a precision and fluidity that was a pleasure to hear.

Zemantauski next performed a solo selection from the traditional and nuevo flamenco repertoire, including some of her own compositions and adaptations. Beginning with a familiar "malaguena," deep-voiced and passionate, she moved to a tempo-swift "soleares" and whirling "bulerias," thumping on the guitar in rhythm. Two of her own pieces, a drumming "Chanteuse" and a tango-driven "Midnight in Gibraltar," took off with lightning strumming and dramatic beat, topped by "Paprika," a seamless display of her leaping long fingers and boundless energy. As she played, one could hear the singers' voices and the stamp of the dancers in the sound of the guitar.

After intermission, guitarist and quartet joined in playing Boccherini's Quartet for Strings and Guitar in D major, "Fandango." The first movement is a pastoral of dulcet melodies and springlike measures, with the upbeat allegro that follows, lyrical and building to a tutti flourish. The final movement is the titled "Fandango" that allows the guitarist to strum and pluck notes in high spirits and running cascades. It was a joyous finale to a unique afternoon of Romany music turned classical and played with ardor and inteligence.

"A whole new generation of Women's Music - ani difranco, Bitch and Animal, Zrazy, Lauri B., Maria Zemantauski, all artists on stage this weekend. These women are joining the context, the imagining."

"...exquisite, traditional composition and world-class playing that combines masterful skill with a love of the instrument and its music."

"I hate to break the news to all of you testosterone-laden guitar-god wannabes out there in Capitaland, but our hometown's greatest guitarist is female, finger-picks a nylon string guitar and is often seen in the company of flamenco dancers. Sorry guys."

"Maria is one of a growing group of women musicians who are finally becoming known for their guitar playing. Ani DiFranco, Rory Block, Bonnie Raitt, Badi Assad and...Patty Larkin...are among the many women musicians whose guitar playing has caught the ears of afficionados both here and abroad."

"Zemantauski's new album adds some 'avios' to the stew in the form of percussion, bass and cello...Once again, nice playing and good taste are the order of the day."

"...a musician with breath-taking technique--and not at the expense of soul. She holds her formidable technical skill in check with her emotional, passionate performances. Each song conveys a small story without one word...Her love of her guitar and music was only surpassed by her obvious love of the audience."

"Too often flamenco-style guitarists get caught up in the speed-equals-passion trap, but not Maria Zemantauski. She shows an admirable restraint in her performance style, allowing the melody and emotion to be in the forefront without burying everything in a flurry of notes."

"The flamenco guitar has never had a better friend than Maria Zemantauski. Zemantauski has delved deeply into the classic form. But she doesn't just turn out respectful renditions from the canon. She plays with all the flair and fury of the masters, and she has expanded the repertoire with original compositions that explode tradition while pushing the technique into the 21st century."

"A true student of her instrument, Maria Zemantauski continues to build her repertoire by studying the masters--then takes what she learns and extrapolates, creating blindingly creative original work in the process. The disconcerting thing about what she's doing? She gets better every time we see her. One day, she's just going to make our heads explode!"