 Kike
Pedersen - Paraguian harp
Kike Pedersen is a virtuoso Paraguayan harpist.
"Nephew of the uncontested King of Paraguayan harpers, Rito
Pedersen, Kike Pedersen started playing the instrument at the tender
age of 12 at home in the Paraguayan capital Asunción. He
has performed in Brazil, Israel, all over Europe and throughout
the UK, and released numerous CDs. His music is rhythmic and tender
and soulful by turns, whilst always remaining soulful, with that
light touch which is the harp's unique prerogative. It's music
for floating, dreaming and dancing! " Andy Morgan BBC
Radio 3
Kike Pedersen was born in Villa Florida,
Misiones, Paraguay. At the age of 8 he moved to Asuncion with his
family. He started the harp at the age of 13 with his father Cristobal,
later taking formal lessons with the professor Marciano Mereles
in Lugue. He soon developed a very personal style and a vast repertoire.
He recorded his first album at the age of 14, entitled "Melodias
Paraguayas en Arpa (Paraguayan Harp Melodies). At 15 he was chosen
as the Harp Player of the year by the Ministry of Culture and was
part of the Paraguayan delegation to the International Youth Festival
of Dance and Music celebrated in Israel in 2000. he participated
in the Annual Folkloric Festival in Ituzaingo, Argentina in 1999
and the Festival del Pantanal in Cuiaba, Brazil.
He has been in England in the Northborough
Harp Festival and some concerts in Stamford, Leeds and Newcastle.
In 2003 he performed at the Latinamerican Festival at "Cap
Vern" in the French Pyrenees with Ismael Ledesma and Oscar
Benitio. He also was at the Edinburgh Harp Festival 2004 in Scotland. (written
2005)
|
Interview
with Kike - WOMAD 2005
Interview conducted with Andy Morgan during the WOMAD Festival
2005
How long have you been in the UK ?
Five months.
Is this the first concert you've played here?
Not the first, but it's one of the biggest I've played so far.
Is it the first time you've played to such a big audience?
Not the first time - but this audience is different, they really
love the music.
Have you always played together with your father?
I started with my father. He's always accompanied me on the guitar
in all my performances.
Was the harp your first instrument?
Yes. I come from a family of harpists. My father plays the harp
and I also have an uncle who's a professional harp player.
Are the songs you play typical harp songs, or
are they also played on other instruments like the tres, the
guitar and so on?
My music is folk music, but I'm also influenced by latin
music, from Brazil, Colombia . But what I played just now was
Paraguayan music.
Are you studying here in England?
I'm studying English - I really like the language - but also
music. Since I've only been here for five months, I'm currently
doing entrance exams for the conservatory. But I learned the
harp in Paraguay, so I can't learn the harp here! If I learn
the harp, it would be classical harp, or another instrument.
Does the harp have very deep roots in Paraguayan music?
For a European audience it might seem a strange combination,
because we think of the harp as an elegant orchestral instrument.
Yes, that's true. I have a folk harp, but I also have a keyed
chromatic harp. I'm currently implementing some new rhythms,
opening my mind a bit to new rhythms. I like all kinds of music,
I go to classical, rock and pop concerts. But I always have my
Paraguayan roots - I carry the rhythm in my blood, I carry my
harp everywhere.
Are you planning to play more concerts in this country?
The first time I came to England was for a harp festival in Stanford.
Later on, I was invited back to the same festival, and to other
festivals in Scotland, like the Edinburgh Harp Festival. I've
made English friends, and they've set up concerts for me in various
parts of England . So I'm developing my art in other parts, and
getting to know the culture also.
Listen to Kike Gig? Pleas follow this link to the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/womad2005/woys_pedersen_int.shtml |
