A wide palette of influences within an unmistakably flamenco musical idiom

“Alcázar de cristal,” the latest work by Rafael Riqueni, is extremely interesting for a variety of reasons. First, there is the wide palette of influences found in the work, from baroque to Spanish musical nationalism, and from jazz to nineteenth-century romanticism—all of which Rafael implements within an unmistakably flamenco musical idiom. Second, there is the complexity of the arrangements, which sometimes include three guitars, a string section, piano, etc.

Since there is practically no flamenco literature for more than one guitar, great effort has been made to include these arrangements in the transcriptions, which can be used in both professional settings and for didactic purposes.

All the parts where there are more than one guitar have been transcribed in their entirety, making these scores ideal for duets or trios. This opens up some very interesting possibilities for professional flamenco groups or for students who prefer to play with another guitarist. For example, musicians who work in dance companies or who accompany singers can use various falsetas from this album that are arranged for more than one guitar. Flamenco guitar students can also interpret these pieces to learn to play with other musicians.

Finally, this work includes a series of pieces that don’t come from the world of pure flamenco, and therefore don’t demand a deep knowledge of flamenco forms and techniques, which makes them accessible to guitarists of other styles—classical, jazz, Brazilian, etc.—interested in the flamenco guitar, making these pieces a sort of link between the flamenco guitar and other genres.

Enrique Vargas is the the author of all transcriptions, texts and analysis in volume set that has been exclusively approved by the artist.

Like all works of this collection, this transcription set is edited in Spanish and English, with the charts in notation and tab with complete both hands fingering.

The totality of this work offers the analysis and transcription of 10 themes of this CD, presented in different formats, in order to facilitate the access

Collection and printed edition

The collection is presented in three volumes, which could be purchased separately. In addition to the transcriptions, each volume offers important information on the theory of flamenco, as well as detailed comments on the technical and interpretational aspects of different parts of the pieces.

Transcriptions in digital format

VGEdiciones has made a great effort to make this work immediately accessible. Each one of the nine pieces can be purchased online together or separately. A pdf file of any piece will be available within seconds of the purchase.

Transcription of different parts of a piece in digital format with audio

VGEdiciones makes easy for a buyer to select separate parts, or falsetas, of each piece, and download their transcriptions (pdf), and audio (mp3). In addition, the audio of each falseta can be heard for free online.

To purchase the collection, separate volumes, pieces or falsetas, click on images below.