ALEXANDER PREUẞ / Arraigo

The Cologne-based flamenco guitarist Alexander Preuß, perhaps better known to some under his stage name Alexander Gavilán, presents his debut album of original compositions: Arraigo (Rootedness).

For over thirty years, he has been active on European stages with various flamenco ensembles. In addition, he frequently appears in cross-over projects, including Exodus, Fellah Mengus, and Hiraeth, in collaboration with Wouter Vandenabeele and others.

Alexander is also active as a producer. He has contributed to several programs, including for the Festival of Flanders, one of which – Antífona – was broadcast on Klara Live and the German station WDR 3.

In recent years, Alexander has reworked several compositions originally created for live productions into fully developed standalone pieces. Each piece tells its own story, deeply rooted in the flamenco tradition but marked by a distinctly personal touch.

For the recordings of Arraigo, he collaborated with a host of outstanding musicians. The compositions range from intimate solo guitar works to layered, powerful arrangements.

At the album launch, Alexander will perform pieces from Arraigo, such as the diptych Rondeña Mar Serena / Mar Severa, the Farruca El Tacón de Tomás, and the Cantiñas Rapsodia por Alegre — all presented with the improvisational freedom and spontaneous interaction that are so characteristic of flamenco.

• Alexander Preuß – guitar
• Carmen Fernández – vocals
• Esteban Murillo – vocals
• Irene Álvarez – dance
• Ruven Ruppik – percussion
• Pablo Rodríguez – violin
• Serge Dacosse – bass

_{(Pictures by Shalan Alhamwy)}