Dorantes
“The Piano Flamenco has a name: Dorantes”
Seville
THE LEGEND OF THE PIANO FLAMENCO
25 years ago, Dorantes began his career with an album that broke the mold: "When I hear the old voice of my blood, singing and crying after centuries of horror, I feel God perfuming my soul and I sow roses in the world instead of pain."
His innovative mind echoes the sounds of his native Lebrija. Furthermore, through his mastery of the piano, Dorantes weaves a sonic tapestry that reflects not only his technical skill but also his profound understanding of flamenco music in all its forms.
An artist who leaves a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to witness his magic on stage.
SHOWS
DORANTES: SCARLATTIAN
Tribute to Domenico Scarlatti
It was around 1730 when flamenco music made its way into the court of King Ferdinand V, at a time when music was restricted to certain social classes and was seen as a cultured activity and a sign of distinction. In 1729, the marriage of Maria Baìrbaras - of whom Scarlatti was harpsichord teacher - to the Spanish heir to the throne Ferdinand VI and the transfer of the Spanish Crown to Andalusia, took Scarlatti to Seville until 1733. Scarlatti was tremendously influenced by the music of the gypsies during his stay in the city and led him to explore the timbric resources of the harpsichord like no other composer up to that time. The musician who understood Scarlatti's Hispanic elements most completely was Manuel de Falla, who thought that Scarlatti should be considered "the most classical composer of Spanish music". Falla noticed that the only Spanish elements used by composers had been some rhythms and certain forms of cadence, but that harmony had hardly been recognized by any of them, except for Scarlatti. This harmony does not refer to the whole of Spain, but to the way of playing the guitar in flamenco, which Scarlatti discovered during those 4 years of Andalusian enchantment and incorporated into his sonatas, creating a unique and extremely innovative and strange style for the time.
Scarlatti approached flamenco and brought it to La Corte, now he is taking the opposite path, that of being interpreted 5 centuries later on the harpsichord by a flamenco pianist and juxtaposing his sonatas from flamenco, in new creations of the 21st century.
InterAction
(piano, dance, percussion)
InterAccion is captivating spectacle, is a masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of creativity and artistic expression.
Every time the stage lights up, the audience is transported to a magical and fascinating world where music and movement intertwine in a harmonious musical dance.
With masterful skill, Dorantes merges the passion of flamenco with innovative and contemporary elements, creating a unique and moving experience. His virtuosity on the piano is simply extraordinary, and every note he plays seems to convey Deep and sincere emotions.
InterAccion is a true feast for the senses.The dancers move with grace and over flowing energy, their bodies executing gravity-defying movements that elicit astonishment from every spectator.
The dazzling costumes and play of lights créate a visually striking ambiance that perfectly complements the intensity of the music
But InterAccion goes beyond its impressive stage production. It is an emotional journey that invites us to reflect on human connection and the importance of dialogue, both in art and in life itself.
Through his performance, Dorantes encourages us to explore the deepest corners of our own existence and to find a deeper meaning in our interaction with the world around us.
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNIZED PRESTIGE & AWARDS
• “Demofilo” Award from the Machado Foundation, Breakthrough Artist 1996
• Flamenco Hoy Award (awarded by specialized critics) to “Orobroy” as best instrumental album of the year: 1999
• Flamenco Hoy Award (awarded by specialized critics) to “Sur” as best instrumental album of the year: 2003
• Giraldillo for Best Soloist; Best Original Music; Best Show; and Special Audience Award at the Seville Flamenco Biennial: 2004
• Flamenco Hoy Award (awarded by specialized critics) for best flamenco DVD of the year: 2004
• Giraldillo for the “Magic Moment” at the Seville Flamenco Biennial for his performance with Miguel Poveda and Eva Yerbabuena: 2002
• The chords of his famous song “Orobroy” were chosen for the advertising campaign for the New Statute of Andalusian Autonomy.
• Demófilo Award for the best production of the 2006-2008 biennium for “Cuando el Lebrijano canta, se moja el agua” (When Lebrijano sings, the water gets wet): 2008
• Nominated for the Music Awards: 2009
• National “Young Creator” Award from the Ministry of Culture: 2009
• Appointed Cultural Ambassador of the Luna Mora del Mediterráneo Network for his versatility and outstanding international career (highest distinction awarded by the International Cultural Network for Cooperation Luna Mora del Mediterráneo): 2010
• Invited by the Spanish Minister of Culture to become an illustrious member of the Board of Trustees of the Public Institution - Gypsy Culture Foundation: 2010
• Giraldillo for the premiere concert of “Sin Muros!” at the Seville Flamenco Biennial: 2012
• Flamenco Hoy Award (awarded by specialized critics) to the album “Sin Muros!” 2012
• Andalusian Musical Arts Award “Joaquin de la Orden” 2104
• Flamenco Hoy Award for Best Instrumental Album (awarded by specialized critics) for the album “Paseo a dos” 2016
• Flamencoradio Award from EL PÚBLICO / Canal Sur Radio and Television 2018
• Finalist in the MiN Awards “El Tiempo por Testigo” 2018
• Gold Medal of the Province awarded by the Provincial Council of Seville: 2018.
• “Ambassador of Our Land 2020” Award Canal Sur Tv - La Tarde, aquí y ahora
• Member of the German Barvalipe Academy by the Board of Directors of the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture in Berlin, as one of the 7 distinguished Representatives of the world of international arts and culture
• 2022 EFA International Flamenco Award “For Instrumentation”
• Mostachón de oro 2022
• In 2023 he becomes the first Spanish flamenco musician to have his name named after him in a public school, the CEIP David Peña Dorantes
• 2023 Cofrade Ciudad de Marbella Award “Musician of the Year”
• 2023 Clavel Award from the Seville Press Association
• Included in the 2023 List of the Best Recorded Works for Identity by the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik
• In 2024, La Platería de Granada awarded him its highest distinction: the Gold Badge and the Key to the club, distinctions that for the first time correspond to a flamenco instrumentalist.