Review: Federico Pecchia in Cambridge

The Argentinian guitar virtuoso brought a touch of Latin passion to Impington Village College on Friday (June 7).

The Impington Music Society invited the 34-year-old singer/songwriter from Buenos Aires to perform in the Brackenbury Rooom at Impington Village College, where he received a fantastic reception.

Stopping off in Cambridge on a European tour that also includes dates in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Holland and Spain, Federico began with an imaginative improvisation.

Addressing the audience with fellow Argentine guitarist Daniela Rossi translating, due to his fairly limited English, Federico - visiting Europe for the second time - expressed gratitude for the people who'd turned out to see him, noting that Europeans are "sensitive listeners."

His playing showed off tremendous energy and dexterity and the closed eyes suggested that here was a performer who was very much into his art.

First half tunes included pieces by Ariel Ramirez, Carlos Gardel's Por Una Cabeza (announced as an homage to Gardel, the most prominent figure in the history of tango music) and Los Ejes de Mi Carreta by another Argentinian musical icon, Atahualpa Yupanqui.

The second half started with another improvisation, before famed tango composer Astor Piazzolla took centre stage - three of his pieces were played including Oblivion and Federico's personal favourite, Adios Nonino.

An intriguing version of Yesterday by The Beatles was the final song of the main set. "I couldn't come here and not play The Beatles," laughed Federico.

Different rhythms and regions of Argentina were represented through the songs Fernando chose and the gifted musician also shone whenever he started to sing, at first perhaps surprising some people who had come expecting to hear purely instrumental music.

Anyone who, like me, enjoyed the evening's entertainment would be advised to attend Daniela Rossi's concert, same time, same venue on Friday, July 12.

impingtonmusicsoc@gmail.com

federicopecchia.com.ar