Ensamble Gurrufío

History

The Ensamble Gurrufío was founded on 1984 by three young musicians, Luis Julio Toro (flute), Cristóbal Soto (mandolin), and Cheo Hurtado (cuatro). David Peña (bass) completed the quartet in 1989. All of the four are academy musicians and teachers with considerable background as soloists and performers. A fifth member, Juan Ernesto Laya (maracas), joined the ensemble since 1998, when Cristóbal Soto moved to a permanent residence in France. The group has occasionally incorporated additional members, such as Jaime Martínez (oboe) and Moisés Torrealba (bandola).

The ensemble has performed in collaboration with other Venezuelan groups, such as Serenata Guayanesa, the Camerata Criolla, and the Great Marshal of Ayacucho Symphony orchestra. Similarly, they have recorded together with foreign musicians like Bela Fleck, among others. Ensemble Gurrufío has performed in over 50 countries and was the first Venezuela instrumental group to have a show in Carnegie Hall in 1994.

In 2012, flutist Luis Julio Toro retired to devote time to other projects and was replaced by Manuel Rojas, a flutist who performed for multiple orchestras including the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra.

Repertoire and Style

Their live performances and recordings are characterized by the addition of long-forgotten pieces, rescued through research and interaction with other scholars experienced in Venezuelan music. The group also performs versions of "gaitas" or traditional Venezuelan music.

Reception

Music critic Alex Ross, then working for The New York Times, attended Ensamble Gurrufío's performance at Carnegie Hall in 1994, stating that the group "illustrated the merengue, the joropo, the vals and other Venezuelan dances" and described their work as "complex pieces" that were "embroidered ... with deft improvisational touches".

Awards and recognition

Discography