Al Compas de la Vihuela

Alejo de los Reyes had his first experience of playing the guitar in Argentina with his parents, who were classical guitar players and teachers. In his parents' home, Argentine folk music was part of every celebration and every gathering, and the tango was his grandfather's favorite music. During his studies, de los Reyes played alternately in classical concert halls and tango salons. After touring in Europe as tango player, he began playing on period instruments and combining his academic knowledge with traditional music: "It was - and still is - amazing for me to realize that certain concepts of articulation, rhythm or rubato were as important in early European musical practice as they were in Argentine tango." The vast and diverse musical culture of the South American continent was indeed shaped by Jesuit missions in the early colonial period. Not surprisingly, European Renaissance and Baroque music is a key element in understanding much of the traditional music of the Americas (and vice versa). This album reflects the ongoing journey de los Reyes has been on since his childhood, studying the music of his country and, more recently, the music of the European Renaissance.