May Palacpac, Storyteller

I could barely hold back my excitement when I first learned that world renowned guitarist Berta Rojas was coming to perform in Manila on May 15.

Let me be honest with you, I like listening to classical music but I’m not a classical musician….my husband is.  He majored in classical guitar and was actually still at the College of Music and training  under Maestro Jose Valdez when we first met. I knew that when I mention the name Berta Rojas to him, something will click, and something did.

Jay has listened to many of Berta Rojas’ recorded songs, especially the ones where she played the music of her biggest inspiration, Agustin Barrios Mangore.

Jay shares her passion for his music.  In fact, he still plays Las abejas  and La catedral from time to time.

I didn’t want to get to know the virtuoso from Wikipedia, so I first asked my husband what makes her special. He said that the woman is one of the most outstanding female guitarists in the world, and the only one he knows who has managed to preserve the soul in the music of Agustin Barrios the way she does when she plays him.

“Listening to her is like being transported to the world of Agustin Barrios Mangore”, he told me. “Her interpretation is not westernized in any way.”

The turning point in Berta Rojas’ artistry

Music was only a hobby for Berta Rojas when she first started out. Technically, it wasn’t much of a challenge for her having been born with a natural ear for music and gifted with the ability to learn . But that all changed when she discovered Agustin Barrios.

According to Jay, Berta Rojas has so much to offer through her music given her roots that connect her to the legendary composer and virtuoso.

Bringing Agustin Barrios to 26,000 kids!

Every year, Berta Rojas joins the Tour of Schools, visiting schools across Paraguay to bring the life and work of Agustin Barrios to young students eager to learn his music and understand how he represents their culture.

To date, she had been able to reach 26,000 students and had supported new talent through competitions like Barrios WorldWideWeb Competition and the Beatty Competition.

According to the classical artist, this is her favorite memory in life.

Berta Rojas, extraordinary guitarist

Berta Rojas has achieved so much in her career as a classical artist. She had performed at the famous Carnegie hall with Carlos Barbosa Lima, has recorded a CD Salsa Roja with Paquito D’ Rivera, and has been nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2012. She had played for the Aranjuez Concert, accompanied by the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra for the Belgian radio with no less than the daughter of respected Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo in attendance.

She considers being declared as an “extraordinary guitarist” by the Washington Post as one of her most exciting moments.

Berta Rojas, the traveler

Her gift has taken her to many different parts of the world, allowing her to have a glimpse of many different cultures where she had managed to create bonds with people from these places she had visited.

She considers it a privilege to be able to see the world with her “own eyes”.  “I have access to many other opportunities that I have treasured”, she says, “I try to honor it with the best I have to give: my art.”

In person

When she’s not performing, Berta Rojas experiments with new recipes. She’s currently into Thai food and gushes on the cuisine’s flavors and its healthy preparations.

She’s also a typical homebody who enjoys the company of her family and claims her personal space whenever she can.

Concert details

Berta Rojas will be having a concert at the Meralco Theater on May 15, 8:00 P.M. and at the Marcelo Fernan Hall in Lahug in Cebu same time on May 17.

She will be joined by internationally awarded classical guitarist, Ramoncito Carpio and the Triple Fret, Marga Abejo, Jenny de Vera and Iqui Vinculado.

Aside from classical, Triple Fret will be playing more accessible pieces for the show.

The concerts, dubbed as the classical guitar events of the year in the country,  have been organized by the Independent Philippine Art Ventures, Inc.,and the Arts Council of Cebu Foundation.

Tickets are available at Ticketworld. For inquiries, you may call 891.9999.

Berta Rojas Master Class in Manila

On May 14, six students and enthusiasts that qualify in a transparent and competitive process will have the opportunity to present a chosen piece before Berta Rojas. They will be evaluated based on technique, style, interpretation and posture in front of an audience. Berta Rojas will be spending 30 minutes with each participant.

The Master Class is open to a public audience.  For further inquiries, please email Monch Carpio at monchingcarpio@gmail.com or ipavinc@gmail.com.