Carmen E Barreiro - Family Reunion

Carmen Elena Barreiro

The Family Reunion

On 1952, Julio Barreiro emigrated from Galiza to Venezuela. The same day of his arrival, he was captivated by the sounds of the Venezuelan harp, and decided that his first child would play this beautiful instrument. Twenty-five years later he bought a harp for his thirteen-years old daughter, Carmen Elena, who learned very fast to play the instrument. Soon thereafter her four younger brothers (Julio Manuel, Paco, Freddy, and Gabrielle) and her mother (Thaydée) joined her to form the ensemble called “The Children of the Big House”. They toured extensively for years around Venezuela and they were featured often in national TV, playing mainly traditional Venezuelan music, but also folkloric music from other countries, soundtracks, and music especially composed for them. Nowadays each one of them have different careers, but they play together in especial occasions. This CD is the response to many requests to hear the family band playing again together, and compiles music recorded from 1986 to 2005.

Most of the pieces in the CD are "joropos" (3,4,6,7,9,11,13), the favorite dance music of the Venezuelan cowboys. The lyrics for the joropo Caballito blanco were written by Julio Barreiro, in honor to “El Libertador” Simon Bolivar. Preludio Apurado is a stylized joropo composed by Carmen Elena. The CD also contains music composed by Hugo Blanco in orchid rhythm, arrangements of traditional music from other countries, and even a piece from a soundtrack, as a sample of the eclectic mix the group used to play during their “golden years”.

MUSICIANS

Carmen Elena Barreiro (Venezuelan harp)

Julio Manuel Barreiro (Electronic bass)

Paco Barreiro (Cuatro, violin)

Freddy Barreiro (Maracas, castanets, clave, drums, whistles, steps)

Gabrielle Barreiro (Double bass)

Thaydée Salazar (Singer)

Los Hijos de la Casa Grande (Whistles)

CREDITS

Randy Cierley-Sterling, Sound Engineer, Morgan Ranch Studio, Encinitas, CA, Oct 2005

Francisco Gonzalez, Sound Engineer, Fidelis, Caracas, Venezuela, Nov 2005

Javier Gonzalez, Digital Mastering, Fidelis, Caracas, Venezuela, Nov 2005

David Salom i Arbona, Executive Producer

Julio Barreiro Rivas (Musical director)

Graphic Design, Gabrielle Barreiro

All arrangements by Carmen Elena Barreiro and Julio Barreiro Rivas

Prelude in a Rush