"Composer and guitarist José Lezcano offers a beautiful selection of Latin American music to Spanish-tinged Italian music (the Scarlatti Sonatas). The very first piece, Tarrega’s Damza Mora, typifies his approach: clean execution coupled with perfect alignment with the flavor of the music, something continued in the Maria Govota , where technical hurdles somehow leave the metric and rhythmic flow intact. Heavily influenced by the music of Spain and frequently including guitar-life effects, the Sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti transfer beautifully on to the guitar. The first here, K.11, has a restrained dignity and on another level reveals Lezcano’s rhythmic mastery: the momentum is perfectly projected. The Sonata Kk 178 that follows is more reflective in demeanor (and includes some tricky downward arpeggiations, skillfully dispatched here)".
Fanfare Magazine, 2023, reviewing Lezcano's solo CD, "Homage: Spain and Latin America."
"An excellent guitarist as well as an imaginative composer," Fanfare Magazine, 2012.
"A dance in a dream that sweeps away restrictions and sweeps away the dreamer." Fanfare Magazine (describing Lezcano's Tango-Overture for Strings, recorded by North-South Consonance on the CD Crosscurrents.), 2012.
"Las 350 personas escucharon los tres movimientos del concierto para guitarra y orquesta de cuerdas en Re mayor de Vivaldi. Durante la obra, los dedos de Lezcano se deslizaron con soltura sobre la cuerdas . . . fue una interpretacion vibrante . . . la participacion del guitarista fue sobresaliente." Quito, El Comercio, 9 enero 2010.
"Three hundred fifty people heard the three movements of Vivaldi's Concerto for guitar and string orchestra. During the work, Lezcano's fingers glided gracefully over the strings . . . it was a vibrant interpretation. . . the guitarist's participation was excellent." Quito, El Comercio, January 9, 2010.
"Jose Lezcano ... is a superb guitarist as well as a first-rate composer and arranger. His ability to play in different ensembles is very impressive . . . I have never said this before in any of my reviews: there is NOTHING I don't like about this CD. The performances, the compositions, the arrangements, the ensemble – everything works so well." Review of CD "Passports" by New Millenium Guitar, 2000.
"Colorfully scored ... agreeable music, and dashingly performed by the composer." Fanfare Magazine, reviewing Jose's Guitar Concerto on the CD "Remembrances/Recuerdos." 2008 "Lezcano's Guitar Concerto (is) a first-rate composition
... Lezcano is a fine guitarist in his own cause." Turok's Choice. 2008
"Amiability is the keynote in the latest collection .. by the excellent North- South Chamber Orchestra ... Lezcano's Guitar Concerto is an atmospheric, tuneful melange." American Record Guide. 2008.
"Things get off to a good start with strong rhythmic attention to Lauro's Natalia with its engaging 3/4:6/8 patterns....the cross-string trills in the Scarlatti sonatas, often excluded from these pieces in favor of single-string ornamentation, are an artistic inclusion...this is an enjoyable recording with an interesting, entertaining and well-played programme." Music Web International,
Review of Jose Lezcano's "Latin Images." "The CD has many works with strong rhythmical patterns like Lezcano's composition "Antonia Zarate" which has a fantastic emotional layer. His interpretations of Barrios" work "La Cathedral" are superb. Two cuts by Merlin, "Evocation" and "Zamba" are impressive. Torroba's "Torija" has a soulful ambiance. The last piece on the CD by Lecuona ,"La Comparsa" is outstanding.
Jose Manuel Lezcano succeeded with his CD "Latin Images" to deliver a very varied CD with strong compositions in top-notch guitar interpretations. --Henk te Veldhuis. --Bridge Guitar Reviews, © 2008
"Cuban-born Lezcano is a master of the guitar . . . I can highly recommend this recording, for the rarely heard and newly composed selections, the excellence of the playing .." --Keene Sentinel, Keene, NH
"Un guitarrista magnifico," --Leo Brouwer, legendary Cuban guitarist and composer.
"It was a great pleasure collaborating with you when you appeared as soloist in the November 11, 2013 concert when your Concierto Cubanero received its New York City premiere as part of our concert series celebrating the musical contributions of Latino composers. Auspiciously, your work was enthusiastically received by both our musicians, and by the public that attended the event. And, of course, everyone was amazed with your command of the guitar and how brilliantly you played the solo part." --Max Lifchitz, conductor, composer, pianist, and founder of North-South Consonance.
"Many thanks for the CD with your splendid Guitar Concerto. It's a fine work--full of energy, imaginative invention and so beautifully played. Continued success with your work." --Joseph Schwantner, Pulitzer-Prize winning composer.
"The concerto . . . received a performance with just the right feeling of style and weight . . . effortless technique and rich characterization--a pleasure for the ear in all manners." --THE STATE, S.C.
"The arrival in Manabi of the Cuban-American maestro Jose Lezcano to perform in the Second International Festival of Flutists was providential for the Conservatory of Music of the University Eloy Alfaro, which permitted the guitar students to deepen their knowledge of this instrument...the invited maestro, with great style and extraordinary dexterity performed scores by diverse composers." --EL PORTENO, Manta, Ecuador
"A guitarist of the utmost fluency, able to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the most celebrated." --THE WATERLOO COURIER (IOWA)
About Lezcano's Sonatina Tropical: "This energetic work for flute and guitar incorporates many Latin rhythms and styles into the traditional sonatina form. In each of the three contrasting movements, the composer weaves the two parts together beautifully while interspersing solo passages and soaring melodies to create a balanced and flowing work." --FLUTE TALK, Spring 2001.
"He is a world-class composer and performer, and a marvelous credit to Keene State College and to the greater New England musical and academic community." ---Eric Stumacher, Pianist/Director, Apple Hill Chamber Players/Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music
PUBLICATIONS & PUBLISHED COMPOSITIONS
Jose's works for chamber ensembles, orchestra, solo guitar, and songs with guitar accompaniment have been premiered and performed by the following ensembles:
- Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, JoAnn Falletta, conductor
- North-South Consonance Orchestra, Max Lifchitz, conductor
- Keene Chamber Orchestra. Conductors
- Orquesta de Solistas de la Habana
- Orquesta Nacional de Colombia
- Orquesta Nacional del Peru
- Orquesta Nacional del Ecuador
- Orquesta de Tolima, Colombia
- Barcelona Festival of Song
- Electric Earth Chamber Ensemble
- Amaral Guitar Duo
- Duo Mundo
- Brattleboro Music Center
- Oberlin Conservatory
- University of Minnesota
- Conservatory of the Pacific, Stockton
- Keene State College
- University of Southern Maine
- William Bennet, legendary flute virtuoso CA
- Brett Deubner, international violist
- Ivana Zahirovi?-Négrerie, principal flute, Munich Philharmonic
- William Bennet, legendary flute virtuoso
- Stephen Aaron, concert guitarist and Oberlin faculty
And many more not listed here
His catalog includes concerti, suites, sonatas, song-cycles, duos for flute and guitar, arrangements, and other pieces. A review from Flute talk gives an idea of his general style, which is eclectic:
About Lezcano's Sonatina Tropical: "This energetic work for flute and guitar incorporates many Latin rhythms and styles into the traditional sonatina form. In each of the three contrasting movements, the composer weaves the two parts together beautifully while interspersing solo passages and soaring melodies to create a balanced and flowing work." --FLUTE TALK, Spring 2001.
And this comment from Maestra JoAnn Falletta prior to the world premiere of Jose's Concierto Hispanoamericano, for double-bass soloists, harp, and string orchestra:
I have had such a grueling schedule of travel, that today was the first day I could sit down quietly and study your concerto in detail. It is an absolutely amazing work and it is going to be a great success! I am very excited about it. Congratulations on a wonderful piece, rhythmically, harmonically, structurally and for sheer fun and verve. many many heartfelt thanks.
Jose's publishers and links
http://www.cayambismusicpress.com/jose-lezcano-s/2049.htm
Lezcano, Jose | United Music and Media Publishers (
ummpstore.com) for Alry publications
https://www.mundoarts.com/en/voiceandguitar
LEZCANO José - Les Editions Soldano (les-editions-soldano.fr)
