library tile Felipe Sosa
 Photographs from Mariana Ornelas' Trip, Summer 2001
This section is about the latest work of Felipe Sosa, one of Paraguay's greatest classical guitarists. He is also a widely respected teacher who has produced a number of accomplished guitarrists in including Berta Rojas and Luz Maria Bobadilla both of whom have received international acclaim. From August 4-7, 2001, Sosa premiered an original work "Homenaje a Felix Perez Cardozo" (Tribute to Felix Perez Cardozo) at El Centro Cultural Paraguayo-Americano, a cultural institution under the auspices of the United States Embassy. The public response was so favorable that he was asked to offer an additional performance on August 11. This unique composition is written for 5 guitars and a Paraguayan harp. Until now, no other composer has attempted a work of this type in Paraguay. The harp plays a pivotal role as a solo instrument. Sosa and his cadre of musicians rehearsed for 6 months in preparation for the premiere. Sosa will offer a video recording of the concert and a CD which will be released soon.
      Felix Perez Cardozo, to whom Sosa's work is dedicated, modernized and reconstructed the Paraguayan harp as we know it today. He also developed a series of innovative techniques and composed numerous pieces for this instrument. He was a key figure in Paraguayan folk music as well as a gifted interpreter.
      The leimotiv for Sosa's work is the famous Pajaro Campana, the signature theme of the Paraguayan harp which Perez Cardozo adapted for this instrument.
Rehearsal in Felipe Sosa's Conservatory
Rehearsal
Shot of guitarists rehearsing 		Rehearsal
Felipe Sosa leading his musicians.
Cesar Cataldo is the harpist. 		Rehearsal
Ruffo Jara and Diosnel Herrnsdorf
Backstage shots
Backstage
Felipe Sosa warming up before the
concert 		Backstage
Leonardo Barreto doing a sound check
while a technician looks on 		Backstage
Diosnel Herrnsdorf and Felipe Sosa
Backstage
Rodrigo Benitez 		Backstage
Diosnel Herrnsdorf and Rodrigo
Benitez (standing)

Please send comments to: Colby Glass, MLIS, or Mario Ramirez
LRC Homepage | ACCD Library Catalogs | A.C.C.D. | Palo Alto College