Flamenco Suite by Mir Ali w/CD

Publication's Style: Soft Cover, includes CD
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate
General Description: Flamenco Guitar Solos

This Flamenco Suite is a collection of five typical Flamenco dance forms presented here with slight modifications as solo guitar pieces. Each dance is of different character having it’s own rhythmic cycle (compas) and mood.

Farruca: Based on a sixteen beat compas, this dance is generally danced by male dancers and is always in a minor key.

Solea: The Solea is considered to be one of the most evocative dance forms in the Flamenco genre. It is based on a twelve-beat compas, always gravitating towards the downbeat, which occurs on the tenth beat.

Tangos: This subtle and sensual dance is structured in a more straightforward compas with a cut-time feel. The dance is not to be confused with the Argentinean Tango!

Allegrias: Also based on a twelve-beat compas, this dance generally, tends to be more festive than the Solea. However, both dances share the same rhythmic “feel” in regards to accents and downbeats. The section of the allegrias included here is called "ESCOBILLAS" and has almost a waltz-like feel. It starts on the first beat with the end of the phrase still having a B pull towards the tenth beat.

Rumba: Unlike the other Flamenco dances, which are considered highly developed classical art forms, the Rumba finds its place in a more commercial setting having its roots in folk music. Nevertheless, it was the Rumba that brought artists such as Paco de Lucia and Monolo SanLucar on the International platform.

About the Composer

Pakistani-born guitar virtuoso and composer Mir Ali has been described by Acoustic Guitar Magazine as “an exceptional nylon string guitarist” and by NPR as "mesmerizing and hypnotic" Since winning his first guitar competition at the age of thirteen, Mir has been raising eyebrows of audiences and music critics around the globe with unique, expressive and dazzling performances.

He is a fluent performer of flamenco guitar, an experienced jazz stylist, a trained practitioner of North Indian classical music, an award-winning classical guitarist, and a composer of music in several genres. In 2003 Mir composed an original soundtrack for the documentary Roots and Branches- personal reflections on adoption, that was given the “Award of Excellence” by the Niagara Film Commission.

He has performed across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. In the past two seasons, he has toured Spain, Italy, Canada, and has performed at New York’s Shea Stadium. His appearance with the Irish Classical Theater Company in the production of Federico Garcia Lorca's “Blood Wedding” awarded him outstanding reviews. Buffalo News referred to his performance as "...stunningly perfect...”