Iliana Matos Plays A Solas by Juan Erena

Iliana Matos performs A Solas by Juan Erena (b.1970). This comes via her YouTube channel and filmed in Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo, Granada, Spain, in collaboration with ‪European Guitar Foundation. Beautiful performance by Matos with a wonderfully clear sound and flowing musical phrasing.

This work comes from her new album A Solas. As she mentions: “This album features the incredible work of 8 amazing composers who beautifully narrate my journey through a traumatic period during the lockdown and the resilience I found to overcome one of the most challenging times in my life. Creating this album has been vital to my healing process, allowing me to voice my experiences.”

Juan Erena discusses the work in the liner notes: “A Solas is a piece that reflects deep introspection inspired by Iliana’s dramatic experience. To evoke this state of mind, I drew on elements of Andalusian music, particularly the flamenco tarantas, whose melodies are infused with both suffering and hope. The piece shifts from an ethereal introduction to intense, emotional passages, symbolizing memories and acceptance.”

Matos currently teaches at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada.

Bradford Werner
Bradford Werner

Bradford Werner is a classical guitarist and music publisher from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He originally created this site for his students at the Victoria Conservatory of Music but now shares content worldwide. Curating guitar content helps students absorb the culture, musical ideas, and technique of the classical guitar. Bradford also has a YouTube channel with over 94,000 subscribers and 13 million views. He taught classical guitar at the Victoria Conservatory of Music for 16 years and freelanced in Greater Victoria for 20 years and now dedicates much of his time curating content online and helping connect the classical guitar community. See more at his personal website.

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  1. Beautiful. I am in awe of musicians like Iliana Matos. She plays this incredible piece with no sheet music and for most of it with her eyes closed! Without missing a beat and with great feeling. Bravo.