REVIEWS

“Echoing the excellence of their performance at St. Peter’s in 2000, the
Ensemble ALMA’s concert, ¡Viva La Hispanidad!, celebrating Hispanic Heritage
Month, offered an array of gorgeous solos and ensemble works by Granados, Lopez
Buchardo, Ponce and Villa-Lobos, as well as Sephardic and flamenco pieces.
Especially outstanding was Ms. Bartos’s poignant renditions of Granados’s
Tonadillas and Vidalita, an Argentinian folksong, Ginastera’s Danzas Argentinas played
by Mr. Gardenal, and Ms. Luque’s solo, Waltz No. 3 by Barrios.” -WKCR


“As La Maja Olvidada, Anna Bartos tells her story with a sense of intimacy,
making every gesture meaningful, and every song expressive and beautifully
sung.” (Donnell Library) -EL DIARIO


“The musical arrangements were gorgeous and the choice of instrumentation,
perfect…Anna Bartos sang and acted her original musical drama, La Maja
Olvidada, with passion, elegance and an emotional intensity which tugged at our hearts
and made us want for more!  Ginastera’s Cantos del Tucuman, arranged by Ms.
Bartos, provided a vibrant, joyful conclusion to this most beautiful concert.”
 (Donnell Library)  -EMI


“...emotional and compelling, La Maja Olvidada gives the audience the flavor
of Spanish culture.” (Donnell Library) -THE NEW YORK PRESS

“MOSTLY SPANISH” CD on AlmaGems

“...wonderful music performed with imagination, respect and absolute
integrity of artistic interaction. Maig is exquisite. Polaca is spectacular. The voice
& flute combination in The Salley Gardens is heartbreakingly beautiful!
Pianist Gardenal ’s rendition of the second Danza for piano by Ginastera moved me
deeply, and I thoroughly enjoyed Me muero por tu amor by guitarist, Virginia
Luque. I am also utterly enchanted with the voice of Anna Bartos.” - Professor Philip Krummrich, Chair, Dept. of English, Foreign Languages and
Philosophy, Morehead State University

“Mostly Spanish, recorded by the talented ALMA ensemble offers a
stimulating, eclectic program of concert songs and instrumental solos spanning four
centuries. One enjoys the lovely, warmly rich coloratura voice of Anna Bartos,
Fabio Gardenal’s sensitivity and stylistic awareness, the heartfelt intensity of
Virginia Luque’s playing and the hauntingly expressive tones of Patricia
Kaczmarczyk’s flute. A beautiful performance!” - S. Velez, Asst. Curator, Rodgers & Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound, Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts - New York City

WHAT THE AUDIENCE SAYS...

The Ensemble ALMA at Merkin Concert Hall, June 27, 2006. Anna Bartos, Soprano, Fabio Gardenal, Piano, Virginia Luque, Guitar, and Elena Yarritu, Guest Flutist. Works by: Laserna, Garcia, Literes, Luque, Granados, Villa-Lobos, Zyman and Ginastera.

“The unique thing about an Ensemble ALMA concert is that you actually get five spectacular concerts in one. This is because each talented member of the quartet gets his or her moment to shine. So, at different points in the program, you might be entranced by a virtuoso guitarist, hear showers of notes from a brilliant piano soloist, close your eyes to haunting flute refrains, and then be taken on a musical journey by sweet-voiced Anna Bartos, founder of the group, who often provides helpful commentary to compliment her subtle, Spanish-flavored interpretations. And then, as if that were not enough, Ensemble ALMA combines forces, filling the concert hall with pulsing rhythms and lyrical melodies. You walk out into the night as satisfied as if you had just enjoyed a five-course dinner with fine wines.” - Jimmy Roberts, Performer/Composer of “I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change,” now in its 10th year Off-Broadway. Also: “The Thing About Men,” and “The Velveteen Rabbit.” (all performed worldwide)

“A privileged audience enjoyed the deep and enriching program of music from Spain and Latin America at the Merkin Hall concert of the Ensemble ALMA. The members played together and as soloists music by Garcia, Granados and Ginastera, to name a few, many of which were arrangements for the ensemble by its knowledgeable and committed director, Anna Bartos. Highlights included a dazzling performance and World Premieres by Virginia Luque of her own compositions,"Ausencias" and "Sangre gitana" that brought the audience to the edge of their seats! Also heard was Zyman's remarkable and extremely difficult "Sonata for Flute and Piano" beautifully played by Fabio Gardenal and Elena Yarritu. Throughout the evening one heard the lovely voice of Anna Bartos singing Granados's "La maja y el ruisenor," from "Goyescas", among others. In a most thrilling moment we heard a performance of the mysterious and beguiling "Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5" by Villa-Lobos, arranged for the group by Gregg Nestor. At the end, in deep appreciation for the glorious concert, the audience gave the Ensemble ALMA a standing ovation, and left the hall in a blissful state!” - Paul Vincent, New York Actor and Playwright

“Each member of the Ensemble ALMA is a fine soloist, and together they make truly moving music. At their June 27th concert, they played pieces by Granados, Ginastera and Zyman, among others. Memorable moments kept coming throughout the concert. One of those favorite memories came when the captivated audience listened to stillness for moments after Anna Bartos sang the last note of the "Bachianas Brasileiras" by Villa-Lobos. It was reminiscent of the Anna Moffo-Stowkowski recording of 1965.” - Stuart Rudin, New York Actor and Director