Carlos Montoya was asked, “Do you know any players other than Spanish who play good flamenco? Could any other but a gypsy play in true flamenco spirit?” He answered:
They are able to play with the technique of the Flamenco, but lack the true style; they do not give the ‘crema del Flamenco,’ nor do they have the ‘aire Flamenco’ (style). Often, even good Flamenco guitarists have bad nights, and sometimes one has to go night after night to hear Flamenco in order to strike one of those tremendously thrilling and satisfying moments. This may be due to the necessity of the guitarist’s feeling in the right mood or a sympathetic atmosphere.
(Quoted from “Interview with Carlos Montoya,” by Gregory d’Alessio, pages 24-25, The Guitar Review, No. 19, 1956. The articles in this issue are devoted to Flamenco.)
For a short video of Carlos Montoya playing Flamenco, click here. For a brief biography of Carlos Montoya, click here. For images of or relating to Carlos Montoya, click here.
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