I wish to create a ‘little’ Biotz Alai (el correo digital 05-16-2009)
May/20/2009
The Biotz
Alai was founded more than 80 years ago as the San
Nicholas Church choir. Nowadays it is one of
Algorta’s important identities. The group is
made up of 58 magnificent deep voices, polished off
throughout years of effort, and which has, in recent
year taken to the
spreading of basque
culture and music around the world. The light
hearted men are really a big family who, despite
everyday affairs, never miss a weekly rehearsal.
Since last January, the Orduna-born organist and
composer Josu Soldevilla is in charge of the
baton, substituting Javier Oyarzabal who
conducted for 20 years. Soldevilla is a
vocational musician, fine in his manners though
also close at hand, who considers himself as a
demanding conductor. His premier managing these
voices took place on April 7th, with a sacred
concert held at Algorta’s temple.
-What made you take on the Biotz Alai baton?
-I had my first experience with them 3 years ago. It was very productive and although we cooperated for a little amount of time, the results were very interesting. When they first offered me the position as conductor, I initially had doubts as I was very busy at the time, but the truth is I gladly welcomed the idea. It’s an exciting challenge for me. We are going to do important things
-What tasks do you wish to undertake? What will you modify?
-As every conductor, to educate them in singing and voice technique as well as in the style of each musical period. They must be able to manage the diverse musical structures of each period. We must achieve that the audience at a renaissance concert of ours actually feel that they are in the Renaissance. I wish to pass on the knowledge that I have so they can exploit and sell it to the fullest; after all, concert-giving is show business, selling a product.
-What makes this choir special?
-Almost a hundred percent of its members has a magnificent natural voice tone which will allow them to improve after formation, technique and constant work…In these past two months that I have been working with them, I am very proud of the change that comeby and acknowledge its difficulty.
-Most of them are not professional.
-That’s what makes it difficult. Also the fact that they have been performing the same repertoire in the same way for many years…The conductors prior to myself were great musicians, who achieved great goals, but we all work in different ways. I am heading down another path and I think they dealing with what I ask of them.
-What part of the choir do you wish to improve?
-I want to create a ‘little’ Biotz Alai; I stated it upon starting up. I believe it is very important towards the future. We must create a childrens’ choir if we want to support this project, in order for there to be takeover and continuity. It may prove problematic because children nowadays are not open to this work system, they are not attracted to it, although there are some that are capable. I hold high hopes and believe that when the time comes we will conduct a casting within the Getxo schools whereby the ‘little’ Biotz Alai will be formed.
-Are you a fun-loving man?
-Yes. A group cannot live solely on discipline, it must also know how to coexist beyond it. Something very special about this group is that the 40 year-olds get on with the 80 year-olds, others with the 30 year-olds; I enjoy spending time with all of them, drinking a glass of wine after rehearsal. It is something that I have enjoyed doing with all the groups. Thus, they realize that I am not an oddball, just someone to chat with about football, mushrooms, …. Ha, ha.
-What is the next tour?
-We have a couple of concerts lined up but the grand finale will be in Croatia. I wanted to take a sabbatical at first, but the plans were already underway upon my arrival. We will prepare to our best capacity, not only for this tour but everywhere we go.
-Are you already working on it?
-We have been at work for two months. Our first concert took place on April 7th; it was dignified and proved highly successful. I am rarely pleased after a concert, but was after that one.
-How do you think the group is adapting to the new conductor?
-Very well, I think. The fact that practically all the members attend rehearsals, focus so much…has come as quite a surprise to me. We have been able to change due to their hard work. They are very committed. A choir is like a team.
-What made you take on the Biotz Alai baton?
-I had my first experience with them 3 years ago. It was very productive and although we cooperated for a little amount of time, the results were very interesting. When they first offered me the position as conductor, I initially had doubts as I was very busy at the time, but the truth is I gladly welcomed the idea. It’s an exciting challenge for me. We are going to do important things
-What tasks do you wish to undertake? What will you modify?
-As every conductor, to educate them in singing and voice technique as well as in the style of each musical period. They must be able to manage the diverse musical structures of each period. We must achieve that the audience at a renaissance concert of ours actually feel that they are in the Renaissance. I wish to pass on the knowledge that I have so they can exploit and sell it to the fullest; after all, concert-giving is show business, selling a product.
-What makes this choir special?
-Almost a hundred percent of its members has a magnificent natural voice tone which will allow them to improve after formation, technique and constant work…In these past two months that I have been working with them, I am very proud of the change that comeby and acknowledge its difficulty.
-Most of them are not professional.
-That’s what makes it difficult. Also the fact that they have been performing the same repertoire in the same way for many years…The conductors prior to myself were great musicians, who achieved great goals, but we all work in different ways. I am heading down another path and I think they dealing with what I ask of them.
-What part of the choir do you wish to improve?
-I want to create a ‘little’ Biotz Alai; I stated it upon starting up. I believe it is very important towards the future. We must create a childrens’ choir if we want to support this project, in order for there to be takeover and continuity. It may prove problematic because children nowadays are not open to this work system, they are not attracted to it, although there are some that are capable. I hold high hopes and believe that when the time comes we will conduct a casting within the Getxo schools whereby the ‘little’ Biotz Alai will be formed.
-Are you a fun-loving man?
-Yes. A group cannot live solely on discipline, it must also know how to coexist beyond it. Something very special about this group is that the 40 year-olds get on with the 80 year-olds, others with the 30 year-olds; I enjoy spending time with all of them, drinking a glass of wine after rehearsal. It is something that I have enjoyed doing with all the groups. Thus, they realize that I am not an oddball, just someone to chat with about football, mushrooms, …. Ha, ha.
-What is the next tour?
-We have a couple of concerts lined up but the grand finale will be in Croatia. I wanted to take a sabbatical at first, but the plans were already underway upon my arrival. We will prepare to our best capacity, not only for this tour but everywhere we go.
-Are you already working on it?
-We have been at work for two months. Our first concert took place on April 7th; it was dignified and proved highly successful. I am rarely pleased after a concert, but was after that one.
-How do you think the group is adapting to the new conductor?
-Very well, I think. The fact that practically all the members attend rehearsals, focus so much…has come as quite a surprise to me. We have been able to change due to their hard work. They are very committed. A choir is like a team.